For Father’s Day 2013, I drove my dad about an hour and a half south to McKenney, VA, to Lucky Lake Gem Mine to mine for gems! It wasn’t quite as adventure-laden as I thought it would be…no pick-axes or spelunking in tunnels…but it was quality Father-Daughter time hunting for treasures from nature. Just like we used to when I was a kid.

We actually ended up “finding” (and I use that very loosely, we “found” it in the bucket of dirt we were given), a Garnet that I’m having cut (which happens to be my birthstone). I’ll post a picture of the after faceted stone once I get it back. The before picture is in Dad’s find, with an arrow ;-)

We also “found” a ton of Rubies, a Citrine, a couple of Amethysts, lots of quartz (including Rose and Smokey), Turquoise, Sodalite, and Silver Topaz, among others.

The Garnet should be ready in a couple of weeks and I can’t wait to pick it up and see how it turned out!

Sluice Box

Sluice Box with our finds

My finds

Dad’s finds

Gemologist explaining the stones and gems

 

Amethyst

February birthstone – my grandma’s ;-) Said to be the stone of royalty, it can also keep away nightmares if you put it on your bedside table.

Aventurine

Said to be a good luck charm, if you hold it in two hands and wish for wealth and prosperity it will all come to your door.

Carnelian

Said to stimulate creativity, give courage and promote positive life choices.

Citrine

November birthstone – Dad’s ;-) Said to be the stone of creativity and is said to bring success in business and commerce.

Howlite

Said to aid in teaching patience as well as helps eliminate rage and control anger.

Ocean Jasper

Said to be the stone of protection, it also absorbs negative energy and gives one courage.

Quartz

Said to be the healing stone and is the most commonly used amongst healers and psychics. In order to cleanse a quartz, one must leave it underneath a full moon overnight, then never let another person touch it every again. Dad didn’t want to keep any of the stones, but he was drawn to this one, so it was one of his Father’s Day presents ;-)

Rose Quartz

Said to be the stone of love. Nuff said.

Rutilated Quartz

This is my favorite stone that we found. The golden straw-like lines are said to be hairs from Venus! The goddess of love, not the planet ;-)

 

Azurite

Thought to have healing properties, it also helps open the mind and make it more receptive to retaining information.

Sodalite

Said to help you be true to yourself and help you stand up for your beliefs.

Silver Topaz and I think some Aquamarine

Said to be the promoter of truth and forgiveness, removes stagnant energy and purifies emotion.

Rubies! Lots and lots of Rubies!

July Birthstone – Mom’s ;-) Said to be the most powerful gem in the universe, Burmese warriors used to insert Rubies into their skin before battle thinking it would make them invincible.