Lapidaryforum.net

Let's Rock => Rockhounding Tips, Maps, Trips Etc. => Topic started by: GoodEarth on January 08, 2017, 05:22:22 PM

Title: Reccomendations for rockhounding around Tuscon
Post by: GoodEarth on January 08, 2017, 05:22:22 PM
Headed south in a couple of weeks for a bit. Looking forward to the warmer temps!

Since I don't know the area very well, I thought I would throw out a request for fun spots to hound near Tuscon. I'll have a 4x4 and a couple of serious digger buddies with me.

Anyone?
Title: Re: Reccomendations for rockhounding around Tuscon
Post by: hummingbirdstones on January 08, 2017, 06:10:59 PM
I'm sure Tony knows some good spots and I bet Christopher does, too.  Our club is having a field trip to the Parker area the during QIA show to hunt for bladed hematite and copper minerals, but I don't know exactly where.
Title: Re: Reccomendations for rockhounding around Tuscon
Post by: Orrum on January 09, 2017, 08:06:42 AM
Watching....
Title: Re: Reccomendations for rockhounding around Tuscon
Post by: GoodEarth on January 09, 2017, 08:22:27 AM
Our club is having a field trip to the Parker area the during QIA show to hunt for bladed hematite and copper minerals, but I don't know exactly where.

Do you happen to know if it's a free trip, or is club membership required? Thanks!
Title: Re: Reccomendations for rockhounding around Tuscon
Post by: jakesrocks on January 09, 2017, 09:52:52 AM
Check any & all of the rock club booths. Nearly all, if not all of them will have field trips planned. Usually free. The only exception would be field trips to fee dig sites.
Title: Re: Reccomendations for rockhounding around Tuscon
Post by: GoodEarth on January 09, 2017, 11:42:00 AM
Thanks for the tips.

Anyone in the area want to meet up and go digging?
Title: Re: Reccomendations for rockhounding around Tuscon
Post by: hummingbirdstones on January 09, 2017, 04:12:01 PM
It's a club fieldtrip.  But they are going hounding around Parker somewhere.  Wish we could go, but it's not in the cards this year.  Otherwise, I'd invite you as a guest.   :icon_sunny:
Title: Re: Reccomendations for rockhounding around Tuscon
Post by: jerrysg on January 09, 2017, 09:55:06 PM
Headed south in a couple of weeks for a bit. Looking forward to the warmer temps!

Seriously if you are headed for the Tucson area in a couple of weeks, your best rockhounding will be at the various shows. The area clubs do not have field trips during the shows.

The Main show (Tucson Convention Center) sponsored by Tucson Gem and Mineral Society will run Feb 9 -12. This show is the equivalent of the best mineral museums in the world all collected in one place. Smithsonian, Yale, Houston, Denver and LA mineral museums all have exhibits. Not a lot of lapidary material there. The show runs more to fabulous minerals (rumor is that the Rice Museum will be exhibiting the Alma Rose this year) and jewelry.

The other shows run Jan 28 - Feb 12 and good lapidary roughs and slabs can be found at some of them (there are about 40 separate shows, some wholesale only but most are retail).  Based on last year the best bet for lapidary materials will be the 22nd Street Show, Hotel Tucson City Center (formerly Inn Suites and still called that by most regulars), Miners Co-op Rock Show (got some great slabs there last year).

Here's a link to most of the shows https://www.visittucson.org/visit/events/featured-tucson/tucson-gem-mineral-fossil-showcase

Jerry
Title: Re: Reccomendations for rockhounding around Tuscon
Post by: GoodEarth on January 10, 2017, 10:08:05 AM
I'm going for the trip, mostly. I don't plan on spending much money at the shows. Mostly, I'm looking forward to seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and spending a quantity of time in the deep desert, alone. I doubt if I'll bring home 20lbs of collected material, regardless of location.

Appreciate the tips, and bring on the warm weather!
Title: Re: Reccomendations for rockhounding around Tuscon
Post by: Phishisgroovin on January 10, 2017, 06:47:04 PM
i want to go dig fire agates down there.
I think i should plan a trip some day too...