Hi Chris I’m new to the game I first got interested in gold prospecting and purchased your book “Fist Full of Gold” and it is an invaluable source of knowledge that has helped me immensely. Now I am branching out into gemstones as well, I find your videos are extremely informative and second to none with a wealth of information that are clear and concise. Keep up the great work it is much appreciated cheers from Australia 🇦🇺
Thank you for this film really neat stuff but you did not cover Eclogite? Can you do a show on it? I find rocks Rock hounds don't recognise? I know I was daunted by all the names so I sought to learn them by CHemistry. I seen they are like a face you know from an area. I realize from nature we have deep skills of recognizing whatever helps survive, but modern man is losing that. Diamond come from it. Some lovely stones of colors. Ones I have when broken is blue and deep red of type of Garnet. Very hard, one chunk I tried to break with a full sledge hit is 40 times before I broke it. I tried to smelt it 2600 F got goopy but kept shape 3 hours it was hurt. I might have been able to piers it with an iron rod, I gave up on melting it and dumped it. The XRF gave chemistry by weight, of one of the two types of it. Has iron in it Carbon.
Eclogite is a metamorposed volcanic rock - normally basalt. Heat and pressure long AFTER the lava has soilified brings out garnet and other minerals. These are formed out of the elements in the basalt. The gems are not formed in lava, but later. Although there are gem minerals in it, they are not generally gem quality.
@@ChrisRalph I saw an example of an Xray used to find crystals in the rock that are worth extracting. I don't know of production that way. They do have a deep blue crystal matrix going to the deep red of Garnet then white lines of compression in it. I think some jewelry maybe made out of it.
Great video. I love your book. It is very well written and easy to understand. I have used it extensively and it has improved my prospecting endeavors. Thank You for sharing your wealth of knowledge with anyone interested in gold and gem hunting hobbyists.
May I suggest print a color and black and white version, that is only printed as ordered. Will of course cost more for color but for me that would be worth it. Just a suggestion.
First, about half the book's illustrations are historic B&W photos, drawings and charts that are originally in B&W, so they would still be B&W even if the book were printed in color. The cost of an 8.5 x 11inch book, 286 pages long in all color is more pricey than you would expect and would be close to $100. Long ago, I figured very few would pay the extra cost for an all color version. Of the folks who actually buy and read the book, very few are disappointed - it has a review of 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon - 92% rate it at a 4 or a 5. Note that the 4.7 is the rating of the folks who have the book and have read it - showing that most are very happy with it.
@@ChrisRalph ok that makes sense I was just thinking of the pictures to help identify the difference between various types of stones. I found a few stones I thought were valuable possibly while out hiking, but then found out they were not. Still a very inexperienced rock hound myself.
Thank you so much for this video! I have been researching/ out in the field, for a couple of years now and with the help of your video…..I think I finally made a breakthrough. Thank you so much!
I love your channel!!!! My boyfriend somehow finds all sorts of cool rocks 😇. We live in Klamath Falls OR so i know where Plush is .... I visited that area in 2011 and i had so much fun mining sunstones!! I have a clear stone with that oily film all around it.... It does have triangular shapes. I also have some really cool stones that look like broken glass...sort of like that CZ you pictured.... But if it comes from a lab then its probably just glass.... It has a purple tint to it and i really love looking at all my stone collection. I love my tiny agates from Àgate Beach in Bandon on the Oregon Coast. Also i visited Glass Mountain here and that was an amazing place to see.... Thank you so much for all the information you give us in your videos!!!! Im going to use this to go and find more cool stones!!!! I definitely have to go to Davis Creek and find some Sheen Obsidian 😇 Peace, Love & Light to All ❣️
I'm interested in Rock hounding in Veracruz State Mexico near the volcanos La Sierra de Los Tuxtlas, Santa Marta and San Martin can you recommend sites in the area or is there any books or resources I can look up to help me find locations.
Although I have been to Mexico, it was on the west coast not the east. A quick check on Google did not show any gem resources in Veracruz State, but maybe check with some locals when you get there.
@@ChrisRalph Thank you! I live here in Mexico now. I just have an itch I needed to scratch as a rockhound so yesterday after seeing your video that helped me identify what I can find near volcanos I went to our local river and I found a basalt with olivine!!! Woo hoo!! Any more information about my find I would gladly appreciate. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge!
Thanks for your information. Does the Grande Canyon in Az contain any gems? With your experience and the types of rocks found there, what types of gems would one expect to search for there?
Riveting, thank you! It’s really helpful that you give such clear explanations; for example “…kimberlite is volcanic breccia”. I have (autodidacticly) 😊 researched kimberlite, yet none of the vids or articles/journals framed it that simply. I had an ‘ a-ha’ moment 😮(not the 1980’s pop group type) 😂 Keep it up champ. Would love more info re: Australia/Oceania if possible 🎉 🙋♀️🧠
What are the limiting factors in the sizes the gems can grow to? If a gem is more than a couple inches across it is generally considered huge, and it makes me wonder, in theory, how large could a lava born gem get?
It just depends on the gem and the conditions of formation. There are feldspar phenocrysts that are several inches long, though the gemmy parts are much smaller.
Garnet forms in igneous dikes, correct? I went looking for the source of the very nice garnets I found in matrix in AZ. Unfortunately, the (kinda) basin where I found them is completely overlaid by a light tan cement gravel/conglomerate containing large granitic boulders and multiple other rock types. This abuts a red conglomerate to the west that is common over a large area and that in turn is overlaid by a basalt flow to the west. Also some volcanic ash deposits mixed in. Wierd thing is the matrix that the garnets were in is very light colored and looks grainy like the cement gavel base or the ash. The crystals were very sharp so I don't think they could've moved far. Thinking maybe torn loose from dike that was in turn reburied by the cement gravel. Frustrating! I want that source!!! Very deep red and up to half inches crystals!
In India in my place I found some white clear crystala near a kimberlite eruption. When polished, it almostvresembled a Moissanite giving a double refraction. What it might be? I am going to submit to a lab in India for testing. Any idea chris?
@@ChrisRalph crystal is very transparent. It gives lot of fire which is just amazing. So i want to know whether calcite would emit such dazzling colors. Calcite ruled out. This is what I think.
I get quite a few people every day who want me to ID their rock and mineral photos. I do not offer a mineral ID service, mostly because it’s not as easy as you think. Usually, minerals cannot be identified from just a picture. Please watch my videos on how to Identify minerals for yourself. Part 1 can be found here: ruclips.net/video/MpkW58ZeQlc/видео.html and Part 2 can be found here: ruclips.net/video/zOWo49X90gA/видео.html and Part 3 can be found here: ruclips.net/video/_ab5NngRlVw/видео.html - Those videos should answer a lot of your questions.
I would like to know what stones I can buy for making jewelry that I can be absolutely sure that are not treated in anyway shape or form ( basically CANNOT be treated ) I know that this is acceptable in the industry but I wouldn’t want any stone treated ,heated ,oiled ,irradiated,etc,etc. Can you recommend some beautiful stones like that that don’t brake the bank ?
I hope you understand that your request is a really difficult order. Can't be treated, beautiful, readily made into profitable Jewelry and cheap. My one suggestion that meets all your qualifications is fire agate. If you've never heard of it, do a google search for images of it.
I found it near my home in Phuket Thailand.But I can’t tell anyone.because it’s dangerous for me I keep it for study at my home.I don’t know what to do with them.How do I find away out.?😢😢😢
Hi Criss! There are very few people like you. You touch on so many different things that really enrich others lives. Im facinated with geology and history and the womder of creation. A simple hike is so much rewarding when know stuff about geological processes. Most people just want to get close to nature and clear there thoughts and get exercise. Thats fine but the world can really open up to those who spent the time to learn about what you talk about. I want to thank you for making these videos and sharing your knowlege. I think its not all about making money to you. Again thankyou for making these videos.
@@ChrisRalph OK then. I’m writing a book. Literally. I’ll find other Geologist that would like to work with me. Good luck with your RUclips channel. You’re doing great.
Do you live in winimucca I used to help a girl clean houses in the outer side of winemucca I met you couple times if it’s you. . Any how if not thank you so much for your creative wonderful insight on prospecting I now live in Idaho I go hounding any chance I get . It’s my passion and I have stones or rocks are not Evan found in the gem society . Thank you have an awsume day
@@ChrisRalph Most of the gems now are found not by techniques, but by chance, or they are mined in countries where people are willing to dig for 50 cents a day.
When writing a fantasy novel, and you have to become student of geology... thus the hope your story/world can make some sense. Anyways, thanks for the video.
should be easier for you to explain igneous rocks by basic (darker color -Qz +FeMg; gabro, basalt) and acid igneous (lighter color +Qz -FeMg; granite, rhyolite) now intermediate rocks are the link between them and can be dikes (cut through beddings) and sills (cut through plains of beddings)
Not necessarily true. There are vast volcanic deposits. Many of them on land that is open for mineral location as well as on private land with the possibility to lease.
It's wild that feldspar is the second most common mineral on earth, behind quartz, but with certain situations ,it makes one of the most rare gems known:: grandidierite, as well as many popular gems like sunstone, moonstone and labridorite. I know a sapphire miner in Australia , he finds a ton of black spinel and amber to yellow colored zircon while mining too.
@@ChrisRalph yeah it definitely isn't gem grade. It's opaque. It does still polish beautifully and is a decent and affordable option for accent stones ,but it is more useful to study with.
Hi Chris I’m new to the game I first got interested in gold prospecting and purchased your book “Fist Full of Gold” and it is an invaluable source of knowledge that has helped me immensely. Now I am branching out into gemstones as well, I find your videos are extremely informative and second to none with a wealth of information that are clear and concise. Keep up the great work it is much appreciated cheers from Australia 🇦🇺
Thanks much for the kind words. I enjoyed my visit to Western Australia, and hope to go back one of these days.
Thank you for this film really neat stuff but you did not cover Eclogite? Can you do a show on it? I find rocks Rock hounds don't recognise? I know I was daunted by all the names so I sought to learn them by CHemistry. I seen they are like a face you know from an area. I realize from nature we have deep skills of recognizing whatever helps survive, but modern man is losing that. Diamond come from it. Some lovely stones of colors. Ones I have when broken is blue and deep red of type of Garnet. Very hard, one chunk I tried to break with a full sledge hit is 40 times before I broke it. I tried to smelt it 2600 F got goopy but kept shape 3 hours it was hurt. I might have been able to piers it with an iron rod, I gave up on melting it and dumped it. The XRF gave chemistry by weight, of one of the two types of it. Has iron in it Carbon.
Eclogite is a metamorposed volcanic rock - normally basalt. Heat and pressure long AFTER the lava has soilified brings out garnet and other minerals. These are formed out of the elements in the basalt. The gems are not formed in lava, but later. Although there are gem minerals in it, they are not generally gem quality.
@@ChrisRalph I saw an example of an Xray used to find crystals in the rock that are worth extracting. I don't know of production that way. They do have a deep blue crystal matrix going to the deep red of Garnet then white lines of compression in it. I think some jewelry maybe made out of it.
Awesome geology lesson. Easy for me to understand. Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for this video.. it’s exactly what I was wanting to learn.. I could listen to you lecture all day long!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video. I love your book. It is very well written and easy to understand. I have used it extensively and it has improved my prospecting endeavors. Thank You for sharing your wealth of knowledge with anyone interested in gold and gem hunting hobbyists.
My pleasure and glad to hear you enjoyed the book.
are there any places in south FL where people can get gemstones in the ground?
There are many good things about Florida, but no, there are no places for gemstones other than agates.
Hey Chris! You should make an publish a specimen picture book for fists full of gold. I would buy it if it was meant specifically for the first book.
Lots of good mineral specimen books out there already on the market. Check out Amazon for mineral identification books.
Great lesson Chris. Enjoyed the vid.
Glad you enjoyed it
Found many on the big island with green gems.
Peridot is a pretty gem.
May I suggest print a color and black and white version, that is only printed as ordered. Will of course cost more for color but for me that would be worth it. Just a suggestion.
First, about half the book's illustrations are historic B&W photos, drawings and charts that are originally in B&W, so they would still be B&W even if the book were printed in color. The cost of an 8.5 x 11inch book, 286 pages long in all color is more pricey than you would expect and would be close to $100. Long ago, I figured very few would pay the extra cost for an all color version. Of the folks who actually buy and read the book, very few are disappointed - it has a review of 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon - 92% rate it at a 4 or a 5. Note that the 4.7 is the rating of the folks who have the book and have read it - showing that most are very happy with it.
@@ChrisRalph ok that makes sense I was just thinking of the pictures to help identify the difference between various types of stones. I found a few stones I thought were valuable possibly while out hiking, but then found out they were not. Still a very inexperienced rock hound myself.
Great video Chris,
You're the geology teacher!! Thank you, I enjoy these videos.
Glad you like them!
Thank you so much for this video! I have been researching/ out in the field, for a couple of years now and with the help of your video…..I think I finally made a breakthrough. Thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Fascinating information Chris, thanks again.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Great content, Thanks for the educational knowledge.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
Just bought a geology textbook after watching this video. I had one for years, then got rid of it during a recent move. Now I want to read it again!
Glad you like my videos!
I good to go see the driveway in Hawaii !!!!!!! Good video
It wasn't like there were zillions of peridot crystals - you had to look hard for them.
@@ChrisRalph I’m just wanting to go back to Hawaii
An excellent choice - my wife and I hare hoping to go sometime in the fall.
@@ChrisRalph nice what island ?
The big Island of Hawaii was where the driveway was. This fall we will either go to the big Island or to Maui or both.
If I was born of lava, I'm pretty sure I'd be a superhero.
Very true.
If you dont think you’re a superhero you’re missing out. I think you are a super hero
@@angelgodzin6350 Who says I wasn't born of lava... 🤫
No you'd be dead.
I love your channel!!!! My boyfriend somehow finds all sorts of cool rocks 😇. We live in Klamath Falls OR so i know where Plush is .... I visited that area in 2011 and i had so much fun mining sunstones!! I have a clear stone with that oily film all around it.... It does have triangular shapes. I also have some really cool stones that look like broken glass...sort of like that CZ you pictured.... But if it comes from a lab then its probably just glass.... It has a purple tint to it and i really love looking at all my stone collection. I love my tiny agates from Àgate Beach in Bandon on the Oregon Coast. Also i visited Glass Mountain here and that was an amazing place to see....
Thank you so much for all the information you give us in your videos!!!! Im going to use this to go and find more cool stones!!!!
I definitely have to go to Davis Creek and find some Sheen Obsidian 😇
Peace, Love & Light to All ❣️
Glad you enjoyed it.
Great ,i really apreciate your info ,your experiance . Buenisimo dia hermano !!!
Glad it was helpful!
some lava rocks ive collected are magnetic can or is perdot magnetic too?
Volcanic rocks are normally magnetic because of minerals like magnetite,, which ins not a gem. Peridot is very slightly magnetic.
Love your videos love from Kalimpong Himalayas.
Glad that you found them helpful.
@@ChrisRalph can we try for semiprecious and precious stones in a small river in himalayas.
Fascinating! Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it, but how did you find it? Its supposed to be unlisted and then released next Saturday.
@@ChrisRalph Just went to the playlist you recommended in another video. It was great
@@ChrisRalph It was listed for a little bit right after you uploaded it. Just a guess.
Are hot springs good places to look for Gem stones? Ordered your book looking forward to reading it, Thanks for doing what you do
I think you will like the book, but generally hot springs are not good for gems other than agate / chalcedony.
The best video I love 💕 it
Thanks 👍
Glad you enjoyed it.
Very nice info to know.
Glad it was helpful!
I'm interested in Rock hounding in Veracruz State Mexico near the volcanos La Sierra de Los Tuxtlas, Santa Marta and San Martin can you recommend sites in the area or is there any books or resources I can look up to help me find locations.
Although I have been to Mexico, it was on the west coast not the east. A quick check on Google did not show any gem resources in Veracruz State, but maybe check with some locals when you get there.
@@ChrisRalph Thank you! I live here in Mexico now. I just have an itch I needed to scratch as a rockhound so yesterday after seeing your video that helped me identify what I can find near volcanos I went to our local river and I found a basalt with olivine!!! Woo hoo!! Any more information about my find I would gladly appreciate. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge!
another excellent video
Glad you enjoyed it
hi ,what you think about recent volcano explosion in iceland what can be fount there?thanks for material!!
The Iceland eruptions are like those of Hawaii in that they cool too fast to allow for the formation of mineral deposits.
Thanks for your information. Does the Grande Canyon in Az contain any gems? With your experience and the types of rocks found there, what types of gems would one expect to search for there?
The grand canyon is built of sandstone and limestone and is not known for gems - besides, as a national park, picking up rocks is forbidden.
Riveting, thank you! It’s really helpful that you give such clear explanations; for example “…kimberlite is volcanic breccia”. I have (autodidacticly) 😊 researched kimberlite, yet none of the vids or articles/journals framed it that simply. I had an ‘ a-ha’ moment 😮(not the 1980’s pop group type) 😂 Keep it up champ. Would love more info re: Australia/Oceania if possible 🎉 🙋♀️🧠
I'm glad to hear it was helpful.
Excellent video
Glad you liked it
What are the limiting factors in the sizes the gems can grow to? If a gem is more than a couple inches across it is generally considered huge, and it makes me wonder, in theory, how large could a lava born gem get?
It just depends on the gem and the conditions of formation. There are feldspar phenocrysts that are several inches long, though the gemmy parts are much smaller.
Garnet forms in igneous dikes, correct? I went looking for the source of the very nice garnets I found in matrix in AZ. Unfortunately, the (kinda) basin where I found them is completely overlaid by a light tan cement gravel/conglomerate containing large granitic boulders and multiple other rock types. This abuts a red conglomerate to the west that is common over a large area and that in turn is overlaid by a basalt flow to the west. Also some volcanic ash deposits mixed in. Wierd thing is the matrix that the garnets were in is very light colored and looks grainy like the cement gavel base or the ash. The crystals were very sharp so I don't think they could've moved far. Thinking maybe torn loose from dike that was in turn reburied by the cement gravel. Frustrating! I want that source!!! Very deep red and up to half inches crystals!
A lot of garnet forms by metamorphic forces - either high heat (contact metamorphic) or high pressure (regional metamorphic).
Quartz is weird enough - can make in volcanic, metamorphosis, and in sedimentary process.
In India in my place I found some white clear crystala near a kimberlite eruption. When polished, it almostvresembled a Moissanite giving a double refraction. What it might be? I am going to submit to a lab in India for testing. Any idea chris?
My first guess would be calcite, but there is no way for me to do anything other than guess.
My first guess would be calcite, but I really have no idea - just guessing.
@@ChrisRalph crystal is very transparent. It gives lot of fire which is just amazing. So i want to know whether calcite would emit such dazzling colors. Calcite ruled out. This is what I think.
I get quite a few people every day who want me to ID their rock and mineral photos. I do not offer a mineral ID service, mostly because it’s not as easy as you think. Usually, minerals cannot be identified from just a picture. Please watch my videos on how to Identify minerals for yourself. Part 1 can be found here: ruclips.net/video/MpkW58ZeQlc/видео.html and Part 2 can be found here: ruclips.net/video/zOWo49X90gA/видео.html and Part 3 can be found here: ruclips.net/video/_ab5NngRlVw/видео.html - Those videos should answer a lot of your questions.
@@ChrisRalph ok. Thank you
Thank you!
You're welcome!
I love your videos
Glad you enjoy them.
Love this!
Glad you enjoyed it.
I would like to know what stones I can buy for making jewelry that I can be absolutely sure that are not treated in anyway shape or form ( basically CANNOT be treated ) I know that this is acceptable in the industry but I wouldn’t want any stone treated ,heated ,oiled ,irradiated,etc,etc. Can you recommend some beautiful stones like that that don’t brake the bank ?
I hope you understand that your request is a really difficult order. Can't be treated, beautiful, readily made into profitable Jewelry and cheap. My one suggestion that meets all your qualifications is fire agate. If you've never heard of it, do a google search for images of it.
@@ChrisRalph Thank you ! They say peridots and garnets are not treated,is that entirely true?
There are no treatments for peridot or garnet that I know of.
@@ChrisRalph Many thanks !
I found it near my home in Phuket Thailand.But I can’t tell anyone.because it’s dangerous for me I keep it for study at my home.I don’t know what to do with them.How do I find away out.?😢😢😢
Thailand has many gem buyers, find one that you can trust.
@@ChrisRalph❤
Can you find a Diamonds in North Africa thank you
some places.
At 25 minutes there's no dots in California. How come?
There are no known kimberlite pipes in CA.
Ok. Now that you mentioned my stone. Fire Agate. I would love to have a private conversation with you about it.
Hi Criss! There are very few people like you. You touch on so many different things that really enrich others lives. Im facinated with geology and history and the womder of creation. A simple hike is so much rewarding when know stuff about geological processes. Most people just want to get close to nature and clear there thoughts and get exercise. Thats fine but the world can really open up to those who spent the time to learn about what you talk about. I want to thank you for making these videos and sharing your knowlege. I think its not all about making money to you. Again thankyou for making these videos.
Osteel - I'm sorry but I just dont have time to offer private consulting and assistance.
Hi John - I have fun making the videos and I'm glad you enjoy them.
@@ChrisRalph OK then. I’m writing a book. Literally. I’ll find other Geologist that would like to work with me. Good luck with your RUclips channel. You’re doing great.
Do you live in winimucca I used to help a girl clean houses in the outer side of winemucca I met you couple times if it’s you. . Any how if not thank you so much for your creative wonderful insight on prospecting I now live in Idaho I go hounding any chance I get . It’s my passion and I have stones or rocks are not Evan found in the gem society . Thank you have an awsume day
Nope. Northern Nevada but not Winnemucca.
You are like the guy from Canada find everything me I am lucky to find my way out of a Walmart parking lot
maybe so....
This world has been picked over pretty carefully.
Good stuff is still found from time to time.
@@ChrisRalph Most of the gems now are found not by techniques, but by chance, or they are mined in countries where people are willing to dig for 50 cents a day.
When writing a fantasy novel, and you have to become student of geology... thus the hope your story/world can make some sense. Anyways, thanks for the video.
Glad you enjoyed the video.
should be easier for you to explain igneous rocks by basic (darker color -Qz +FeMg; gabro, basalt) and acid igneous (lighter color +Qz -FeMg; granite, rhyolite) now intermediate rocks are the link between them and can be dikes (cut through beddings) and sills (cut through plains of beddings)
All three types of igneous rocks can form dikes and sills.
That’s why the USA government owns all the land around the volcanos. AKA parks.
Well, like I say in the video, that vast majority of volcanic rocks (like 99.99%) have no gems.
Not necessarily true. There are vast volcanic deposits. Many of them on land that is open for mineral location as well as on private land with the possibility to lease.
It's wild that feldspar is the second most common mineral on earth, behind quartz, but with certain situations ,it makes one of the most rare gems known:: grandidierite, as well as many popular gems like sunstone, moonstone and labridorite.
I know a sapphire miner in Australia , he finds a ton of black spinel and amber to yellow colored zircon while mining too.
Very true. Too bad the Aussie miner's spinel isn't gem quality.
@@ChrisRalph yeah it definitely isn't gem grade. It's opaque. It does still polish beautifully and is a decent and affordable option for accent stones ,but it is more useful to study with.
Lava = gems” well is pig pork? Yep.
Some lava yes, other lava - including most lava - no.
Great job! Thank you.
Our pleasure! I'm glad you enjoyed it.