Mining for Gems by Mail
Mine Gems and Minerals at Home by Letting the Mine Come to You
Wouldn't it be convenient if there were a gold mine in the backyard or even at the dining room table? More and more people are managing to do just that by ordering gem dirt and gravel directly from the mines and having it shipped straight to their door, allowing them to sift through it at their leisure in an attempt to discover gold and gems.
Pros and Cons of Mining Gems by Mail
Not all mines will ship gem producing dirt or gravel. The cost of packaging and shipping several pounds of dirt and gravel also presents its own unique challenges. Once the dirt arrives at its destination, there's no guarantee that buyers will find exactly what it is that they expected. Even on-site gem mining proves hit-and-miss for many would be gem hunters.
The gems that are going to be found are still going to be in the rough. The value of a gem is determined by carat weight and facets. At most gem mines there is an on-site gem cutter that can make the most of a gem for an additional fee. Customers mining for gems at home will need to mail off gems for faceting unless they can locate a local lapidary.
The positive side of mining for gems at home provides rockhounds the convenience of not having to travel to an out of the way location where they may spend hours in the searing heat or freezing cold searching for gems. At home they can search whenever they want and still stand a good chance of finding a valuable gem.
How to Find the Right Gem Mine
All gem mines are not created equal. This can be due to location, gem quality, and management. Once a potential mine has been located, do some extra research. Look for customer testimonials, online blogs that may refer to another customer's experience with the mine, and also check out some of the rockhounding clubs and websites.
Try to always purchase directly from the mine. This generally results in a purer product and it helps eliminate the chance that someone is selling gem dirt that's already been sifted through. Most mines are far too busy to spend time sifting through dirt and gravel. They want their customers to have a good experience so they'll return or refer others to them.
Select two or three mines specializing in the desired gemstone type and compare prices, shipping & handling fees, and amount of raw material being shipped. Ask about special offers such as faceting coupons, as some mines do offer this service. Ordering in bulk can also potentially save money through discounts or combining shipping & handling.
Another important detail to ask the mine operator is whether or not they will be sending native gem dirt or seeded dirt. Native dirt & gravel comes straight from the mine and is not “enhanced” in any way. Seeded dirt may or may not come from the mine itself, and is “enhanced” by adding gems from other gem mining locations, including other countries.
Finding Gemstones
Once the purchase has been made and the gem gravel finally arrives, be sure to sift through it multiple times. Numerous gems that were overlooked the first few times may still be there. It's also important to learn exactly what the gems look like in their raw form so that they don't accidently get overlooked.
Whether in the field or at the kitchen table, gem & mineral mining can sometimes be a very rewarding hobby, especially if someone's lucky enough to find one of the really valuable gems. It probably won't allow someone to quit their job and retire to an exotic island, but it's still fun.
Amethyst Crystals
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Home & Style
Latest Articles