Chris, I have done quite a bit of mining around, Superior, Globe, and Kearney, in Arizona. Asst the Finch mine, we found awesome Wolfinite, as well as a lot of other nice minerals, while I was mining at the Gray Horse mine, I hit a museum quality Vanadite with calcite pocket. I was the first person to hit a vug in this mine since the 70s. The vanadite crystals were so much different than most vanadite; although the crystals were hexagonal, they were tubular as well. Just a stunning specimen! I truly do miss the days when I was able to do those things. I'm getting much older and I'm very disabled, now. I just want all of you that have an interest in doing these types of things, do it while you can. It's a lot of fun, and very exciting! The Lord truly does create things that are absolutely beautiful! Blessings to you all! Happy trails to you all!

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for the very wise suggestion - its so very true. We all have only so many years on this plant. The Lord does create some very beautiful things.

@IBRAKEFORBEDROCK

6 ай бұрын

I was able to dig at the 79 mine. John offered to sell me a couple thousand specimens dirt cheap. I wish I had the money at the time.

I would stop digging gold just to dig jem bearing pegmatites or other excellent crystal pockets. It is definitely my favorite thing to do. As always Chris , you get my thumbs up ! 👍

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Yep. If I still lived down in So. Cal, I would be up there searching regularly - and when I did live down there, I was!

@IBRAKEFORBEDROCK

6 ай бұрын

@@ChrisRalph I found a nice piece of gem Triphane at the Pala Chief years ago. Current pricing though is $75 for 4 hours. Thats the cost it used to be for the entire day on the dumps back then

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

I hunted the Katrina years ago and got a piece of clear spodumene. All I did was ask permission of the owner - it was free. But that was about 1975.

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

You got a nice AZ beryl crystal a couple years back, right?

@IBRAKEFORBEDROCK

6 ай бұрын

@@ChrisRalph Yes that was quite odd. It was in a somewhat mined Pegmatire area. I may go back and look for more.

Chris, if I ever was to win the lottery I would have to give you a million dollars to repay you for all the great information you have tought to use all. Here's to hoping that happens. 🎉🎉😂

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Wow, thanks! There is much more to come in the months ahead.

Thanks Brother Chris, great stuff, as always.

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

My pleasure!! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it.

Wonderful video , thank you.

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it.

I forgot to tell you I love this presentation! I've watched it several times to absorb it!

@ChrisRalph

2 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you! You might want to look also at the one I recently did on pegmatite pockets. See: kzread.info/dash/bejne/eqOj2LezYrrYibg.html

Great video Chris 👍 Love your book. I learn from it constantly.🙏

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoy it!

Glad you posted - was thinking "Chris on vacation????" also its a topic i love . Thanks again!

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

I was on vacation the last week when I posted no video. I was in Colorado! Glad to know you like this topic.

@blakiniknorguild142

6 ай бұрын

@@ChrisRalph if you ever find your way to Texas would love to have you discuss some of these topics at our gem and mineral club. You knowledge and enthusiasm I think would make it an event for everyone.

Btw - if you haven't bought "Fist Full of Gold" , do it. its one of the best books on this topic I ever read (and have been reading about this A LOT). Well worth the money spend,.

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the kind words and recommendation.

@blakiniknorguild142

6 ай бұрын

@@ChrisRalph absolutely!

Excellent video content I loved every minute

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Thanks - I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I really love your videos. So informative. Thanks!

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Thanks and glad you like them!

Nice video! I was looking for pegmatite pockets on Mt Cer in western Serbia. There are plenty of aquamarines, but these aquamarines are formed in solid rock thus they aren't much valuable. Also, I have found pegmatite vein that is maybe two meters wide and there were many good indicators of pockets such as coarse quartz and feldspar, high amount of large blue beryl crystals (one of them was 6 inches long), occurence of lepidolite mica (which represents high concentration of lithium in pegmatite), euhedral smoky quartz crystals around the place, and manganese oxide stains on pegmatite. I hope these indicators actually indicate something interesting. I will continue to dig l and see what I will find. Once again, nice video and thank you for covering this interesting topic. Greetings from Serbia!

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Thank you my friend. The pegmatites you are prospecting sound very promising.

Thank you ❤❤❤

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

You're welcome 😊 Glad you liked it.

Reply’s to most all comments, gives away valuable info for others gain… what a guy

@ChrisRalph

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate that!

Looking forward to also searching for gems. Always watching for evidence of gold when hiking around in Montana

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Sounds good and I wish you the best of success.

Thanks for the lesson!

@ChrisRalph

4 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Thank you for sharing videos about Maine pegmatites. I didn't realize that you going to share them on this but thank you. I am from New Hampshire actually however still live right near the border of Maine

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Well noted in this video.

well done !!!!!!!

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Thanks!

It would be cool to see more videos of you out in the field. Showing road cuts and exploring.

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

I do quite a few videos like that showing metal detecting for gold nuggets but will do more in the future.

Hi from Australia ha ha You are spot on mate I've found some of the best large topaz an giant smokey quartz in old mine tailings out Bush mostly tin an gold mines deep in the Bush locally were in live in NSW Australia The old timers were one track minded only after tin an gold an anything else got thrown into the mulluc heap I found a bright yellow citrine crystal perfectly clear an longer then my forearm and regularly found giant smokey quartz crystals as long as my forearm to

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Amazing finds. Congratulations.

At 12:55 Moustached Bionic Man Photo Bombing a boring Rock Picture. XD

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Indeed.

Hi, Chris , it's Chris Thomas hope all is well just wondering if you would like to go on a treasure hunt.? When I was a young boy my father took me to a cave the entrance was the size of a groundhog whole now that time has passed and I'm a grown man I have dug out the entrance of that spot that he took me to come to find out it is an actual mine add it that goes back 30 feet this mine at it is an unknown origin not on record approximately 100 acres of undisturbed leftover mining from the early 1800s. While I was digging out the front entrance I found an ax, I really didn't pay it any attention but held on to it anyway 23 years into this adventure last year I found a row of axe blades in three in a straight line 15 ft apart intentionally covered up with a circle of rocks around it and one on top of each axe head. I also have a map that dates back to 1836 land grant from David Campbell governor of Virginia

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Thanks and I wish you the best of luck, but I'm just too busy.

Hey Chris! Miner Ken from Colorado here. I found a pegmatite the other day and sitting right on top was a giant piece and sticking out of it was a 1.5” dia andradite garnet looking out at me !!

@ChrisRalph

5 ай бұрын

That sounds really great. Congratulations!

Thank you for the lesson I love it

@ChrisRalph

3 ай бұрын

You are very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

After watching your gold video I bought your book on Amazon a hour ago! Don Los Angeles California

@ChrisRalph

2 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you. I am sure you will find it helpful.

I saw on your bookshelf below the white board, was a book with “Sierra Co” on the binding. I live in Loyalton CA/Sierra County. Are there any books on geology or prospecting/ gem crystal hunting that you would recommend that would be helpful for my area in particular? I do own fist’s full of gold already, of course lol any recommendations are appreciated! Great show yet again! Thank you for all the information you share!

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Do a Search on Google for "Bulletin 193, Gold Districts of California" check the links and you will find a free download for Bulletin 193. Then read about the districts in Sierra County. Plumas and Nevada counties are not far away from you either. That should give you plenty of ideas about places to explore.

@Drewber89

6 ай бұрын

@@ChrisRalph Great advice! I’ll definitely check all that out. Thank you so much for your help!

WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE TO BE AN ASPIRING LAP LAD AND HEAR A MAINE LOCATION, and on a fairly new video nonetheless!

@ChrisRalph

2 ай бұрын

Yep. Maine pegmatites have produced some really amazing gems 💎

Hey kind sir, i love the videos. I have a strange area in my yard that is interesting . I would like to post video on youtube showing it in hopes you could tell me what im looking at. Ive been told i should look inside of this material for crystals, but i would like to know more about it. Can you assist?

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

I appreciate your interest, but I do not offer any services for consulting or advisement. I get many such requests and simply do not have time to help all who ask. I have many business and family commitments and simply don't have the time available. I do wish you the best of luck, but I am sorry that I cannot offer any help on that level.

@alextravine9422

6 ай бұрын

Its actually more likely that you assume I live in a city or somewhere with boring geology. I do not, i live on mountain property not far from that colorado aquamarine you show. And i lead more busy a life than you fo and have far more on stake time wise. And might i remind you that this youtube income stream you have, is based on viewers watching your content. You simply DO have time and incentive to watch a 2minute long video from your viewer and tell him what he has in his yard. After all, viewer has been watching your videos to learn from you. I also am busy with family. I found time to watch your videos, hoping to get useful information while sifting through the many many minutes of content not useful to my endevor. Shall I continie?

@alextravine9422

6 ай бұрын

Would a patreon donation help grease the wheels?

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

First, I don't do patreon. Second, Identification of minerals from video is near impossible. I appreciate that you think I can just look at a 2 minute video and know all there is to know about the potential of your property, but you are wrong. I have no magic up my sleeve - If I could just look at a short video and understand all, I'd charge $10,000 an hour for my time. But no one can do that - not me, not anyone. You don't understand geology but are totally sure of what others could do in a few minutes. That makes no sense. Finally, I am wondering about what part of "I do not offer any services for consulting or advisement" that you can't understand.

@alextravine9422

6 ай бұрын

@@ChrisRalph bro, your way making assumptions here. I dont have minerals to identify. Its a spot of non dirt surrounded by dirt. Whilst looking around i see mt antero videos pulling aquamarine from what appears to be the same material. Clay. It appears to be same material but not sure. Then you have this video talking about clay pockets. I thought you would be able to quickly observe and tell if thats what it is.

Thank you be safe

@ChrisRalph

Ай бұрын

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video.

I would like to sign up for the adventure offer at the end of this video I am a fan and value the time you give to future rock hounds and others a adventure of amy kind successful or not would be winning the lottery .😊

@ChrisRalph

4 ай бұрын

What offer was this? Not sure I follow you.

Great Video! I have large emerald and other specimens from the hiddenite mine in NC. How do you know if a gem should be sold as a crystal specimen orade into jewelry?

@ChrisRalph

4 ай бұрын

Someone with experience in crystal sales and jewelry would have to look at it in person and give you an evaluation.

Chris thank you for the informative video, you got my sub! My family is getting into gem collecting and I am studying gold deposits. Any suggestions for us living in the Maricopa and Pinal County? I can't wait for your gold book to get here, but I'm not sure it will address my area specifically for gemstones.

@ChrisRalph

Ай бұрын

The book is more directed to gold but does have a good general geology section. There is good gold in Maricopa and Pinal Counties.

@FAMILYFUN-un1zm

Ай бұрын

Thanks Chris, I am planning on finding some good gold!@@ChrisRalph

Man O Man, I just knew when you said Pegmatite you were going to show Tourmaline, I live in S.D. North County, and for years I have looked for any open spots in the traditional areas. Pretty much you are going to have to buy a property that is in a potential location and then God forbid Ca. finds out you are mining, Me I would just say I am digging with my back hole for an Olympic-sized pool.

@ChrisRalph

5 ай бұрын

Its been years, but I've hiked around the old tourmaline areas of norther San Diego County.

Thank you for all the information and understanding you help us with as well your very easy to listen to. I have a question i have found a gem pocket in Michigan and i can't figure out what these stones are there are about 50 different type in a 10 ft area that i just stumbled on. They are gems ranging from bright green, dark green, blue, black and purple. Though I have no idea where to take them to have them identified or tested. Might you have any ideas?

@ChrisRalph

4 ай бұрын

I suggest that watch my videos on how to Identify minerals for yourself and learn the skill of doing that. Part 1 can be found here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/f6SfuZdxisi3nMY.html and Part 2 can be found here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/rIOL0ZZyiJyWl6Q.html and Part 3 can be found here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/kZWWl7Cnl7XShto.html - Those videos should answer a lot of your questions. The other thing is to buy a book of how to identify minerals with pictures and descriptions. There are several of these recommended in the videos.

Hi chris It was really a wonderful video on Gemstone pockets. My question is that can one find Ruby in a pocket? Or only ordinary stone are found in the pockets? As I saw in videos that ruby is found in white marbles in Mogok.

@ChrisRalph

5 ай бұрын

Ruby in marble is in the solid rock - there is no open pocket space.

Very informative video for sure - thank you Mr. Ralph! It's interesting that many of the world's greatest rhodo's came from places like Colorado, yet despite there being quite a few silver mines in the western U.S., you rarely see quality proustite specimens from here. And boy do the nice German ones fetch a price ! My collection is a bit short on the pretty "red stuff" I'm afraid. I imagine a drone with a decent flight range could come in handy for prospecting. Especially if you want to look up close at a hillside without actually climbing it.

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

A drone certainly had great potential. Google Earth can give enough info to know where to fly the drone.

Hi thanks

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Glad you liked it.

I've found emeralds in North Carolina. They were in a creek and tumbled for awhile. So, I know they're coming out of somewhere upstream. I've long wanted to understand the geology better and perhaps find where they may be coming out of. Its not an area where emeralds or anything else in particular had been previously mined. Interestingly, there's a lot of blue quartz to be found in this creek. I didn't even know blue quartz was a thing till I brought some samples to a local gem show to be indentified. Sometimes the best way to find stuff is to go down in a creek and sort through the gravel along its banks.

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

I'd use seismology and core drilling [very carefully]

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

You can't get the crystals out through a drill core hole.

I live in Stockholm and we have lots of nice pegmatites exposed here in eg. roadcuts and quarries. There's not really a thriving gemstone industry over here, but we have some quite rare minerals in sub-economicl quantities. A few rare elements were first discovered pretty much in my backyard back in the 1800:s. Elements such as Yttrium. I've visited the old pegmatite quarry where this all happened, and I even have a rock from this site, somewhere...

@ChrisRalph

3 ай бұрын

glad you enjoyed the video.

There are some pretty big pegmatites in Arkansas.

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Interesting.... sounds like someplace to explore.

Hi chris, i realy need your help about some infirmation about metal detectors can i connect to you some how ?

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

I have lots and lots of information about metal detectors in my videos. Please watch those videos and I am sure your questions will be answered.

@ANWARANWAR-pg1vd

6 ай бұрын

@@ChrisRalph Thanks for the replay; I searched your channel. very rich and helpful. What I'm looking for is the cheapest and best metal detector for finding treasure. Romans especially, which can be hidden in rocks on the ground or meters under. If you can point me to some devices that will help me, I can give you more details if you want. Thanks a lot.

Is Crystal Peak in Dog Valley one of these pegmatite formations?

@ChrisRalph

Ай бұрын

Yes, it is an unusual quartz rich pegmatite.

I have been enjoying your videos. I am a amateur gold prospector, but I specifically want information about ruby vein5. Reason being is there is one on the property. I know because a little dog has brought up a couple little rubies to us in the past as well as I can clearly see them, where it splits into separate veins. Don't want to give up to much information as we don't want anyone to know. I'm from North Carolina, not in the mountains, one veins is protruding about 3 to 3 and a half feet above the rest of the ground. I want to see what is there without damaging the gems,could your make a video about ruby veins as I can't find out much about ruby veins, I've searched without any luck or send a link if you already have made one I haven't seen. Thank you for the information on the videos and any help would be greatly appreciated.

@ChrisRalph

3 ай бұрын

I'm not really sure what you are looking for. Ruby does not form veins of ruby - this is why you can't find information on them. There are veins with some ruby in it. Far more common are veins and other deposits with lots of red garnet. Is it possible that what you have is garnet? Check out my video on ruby and sapphire. See: kzread.info/dash/bejne/p32Lls6dlbLXobA.html

I'm in Ghana and I'm about to to start gold prospecting in a Forest reserve and I'm a little bit scared. Can you advise me sir

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

I do not know the dangers of prospecting in Ghana, so I cannot advise you.

Is it possible to find crystals in residual placer locations where you'd also be looking for gold veins?❤

@ChrisRalph

2 ай бұрын

Its possible, but most quartz veins have a limited number of good crystals.

Can you make a video about ruby veins, I been trying to find information about them without any luck.

@ChrisRalph

3 ай бұрын

I'm not really sure what you are looking for. Ruby does not form veins of ruby - this is why you can't find information on them. There are veins with some ruby in it. Far more common are veins and other deposits with lots of red garnet. Is it possible that what you have is garnet? Check out my video on ruby and sapphire. See: kzread.info/dash/bejne/p32Lls6dlbLXobA.html

I live in N.C I’ve heard there’s an abundance of gold and Jems in this state what’s your thought thanks.

@ChrisRalph

3 ай бұрын

Yes, there are gold and gems in N.C.

My wifes gonna love this one!

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Sounds great - she must like gems and crystals.

@russtgrower750

6 ай бұрын

@@ChrisRalph yes and shes a rockhound bad lol

Ralph I'm starting gold prospecting will gpx 5000 in Forest .is that good start

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

In Forest, California? The 5000 is a good metal detector. I found a lot of gold with mine.

@thevibes4033

6 ай бұрын

@@ChrisRalph im in Ghana africa.is like I'm a little bit scared can you advise me. Is a forest reserve I want to start the prospecting

Can Dexpan be effective in breaking up hard rock around pegmatite pockets without breaking the crystals?

@ChrisRalph

2 ай бұрын

Yes it can be used that way.

Hi sir! I'm Garry from Philippines.. I always watch your videos..if you don't mind sir..I found a rock that have a big crystal.. but I don't any idea if it is a valuable..can I send to you a fixture of this rock sir..pls help me..thank you..God bless..

@ChrisRalph

Ай бұрын

Sorry - 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: kzread.info/dash/bejne/f6SfuZdxisi3nMY.html and Part 2 can be found here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/rIOL0ZZyiJyWl6Q.html and Part 3 can be found here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/kZWWl7Cnl7XShto.html - Those videos should answer a lot of your questions.

👍 ❤❤ 💎 ❤❤ 👍

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Thanks

Any way I can send pics of my finds?

@ChrisRalph

3 ай бұрын

Sorry - 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: kzread.info/dash/bejne/f6SfuZdxisi3nMY.html and Part 2 can be found here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/rIOL0ZZyiJyWl6Q.html and Part 3 can be found here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/kZWWl7Cnl7XShto.html - Those videos should answer a lot of your questions.

Im searching for the pegmatite in my area that produced a softball size chromite crystal

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Chromite is not a mineral usually found in pegmatites.

@garrettmillsap

6 ай бұрын

@@ChrisRalph I wasn't sure, I found it in the quartzville oregon drainage. Was gold prospecting and dug it out of river gravel. It's been tumbled quite a bit to where is pretty much round and the size of a softball lol. Pegmatite was all I could think of that it came from.

@ChrisRalph

6 ай бұрын

Chromite is common in and around serpentine rock outcrops. There is plenty of serpentine in that area.

@garrettmillsap

6 ай бұрын

@@ChrisRalph thank you for that information Chris! Much appreciated!

Let’s not forget that most of these places to find these valuables are owned by private mine owners and or Federal land where you cannot sell these finds unless you are the claim owner. Know where you’re digging and please respect private claim owners. Mineral trespass can face heavy fines and jail time.

@ChrisRalph

3 ай бұрын

very true. with research once in a great while claims are allowed to expire and things come open.

@earthprospector

3 ай бұрын

Thanks Chris, Very true but people need to know the rules and laws or know exactly where they can dig and collect. As a mining claim owner of a very valuable mine I have had valuable pockets cleaned out from High graders and claim jumpers. It has been worse because of social media. I appreciate all you do but perhaps put a disclaimer stating to make sure people do their own research to not mineral trespass. And to prospect where it is legal to collect. I would love to have you out in Southern California to visit. Many blessings.

@ChrisRalph

3 ай бұрын

I do have a couple videos on mining claim law and how to stake a claim. However I'll bet that the majority of your High graders and claim jumpers are not innocent folks just out exploring, but people who don't care about your ownership and are intentionally high grading. That's been my experience anyway.

@earthprospector

3 ай бұрын

Agreed. Thank you again for taking the time to comment. You have a new Subscriber and I will make my way over to mining claim law videos. Again, thank you for all you do. I will contact you one of these days and love to have you out to the mine. Many blessings to you. ⛏💎❤

@ChrisRalph

3 ай бұрын

I do travel to southern Calif. regularly. I have relatives down there. I used to poke around the tourmaline deposits on the Pala reservation in the late 1970s.

brazil minis ger Rise

@ChrisRalph

5 ай бұрын

Minas Gerias. Actually pronounced - mee·naas zhr·ise