Melbourne Noob

[KiwiKaren]

Hi Everyone!

I have been itching to get out fossicking/prospecting for way too long! I decided to join this site to build some knowledge for when I finally get out hunting for some treasure
I am a member of the Nunawading Lapidary Club but have not yet been able to go on any of the clubs fossicking trips. I dont have a car so been patiently waiting till a planned trip matches up with my days off to tag along.
So far I have paned for gold in NZ and dug for zircons in the NT. Walked around Mooralla and picked up surface quartz crystals but that is it!
I have a few books on fossicking in Australia and even bought sieves, folding shovel and a pan in anticipation lol

I am a gemmologist and work in an antique jewellery store. Love reading and couldnt live without music.

Really looking forward to reading about everyones adventures and tips!

Karen

 

[goldtruck59]

Hi Karen

Welcome aboard. Sound's like you have a lot of fun. Hope this forum helps. Nice to have a ladies touch
Bop

 

[KiwiKaren]

Thanks Bop
Hopefully I have some stories to share later this year!

 

[WalnLiz]

Welcome to the forum Karen. Being a gemologist i can well imagine your interest in getting out there and digging up your own gemstones. Joining a lapidary club and this great forum will definitely fast track the knowledge you can't get from reading books alone.

Look forward to hearing about your adventures once you get out in the field, and if you have any questions the friendly members will most certainly try to steer you in the right direction. All the best of luck out there.

Cheers Wal.

 

[AtomRat]

Hi Karen, welcome onto the forums I have not found the best, but I do know I am getting closer to some nice crystals here and there out here in the Yarra Valley, ( Launching Place ), we have a couple of close by creeks with some rocks of interest, if your interested and can get closer out to this way, I am more than happy to show you some of the spots about near me

When you have 10 posts, you will be able to PM people

 

[Twapster]

Welcome aboard, i'm sure you will go from noob to expert very quickly given your background. Nothing like finding your own sapphire and having it cut.

 

[KiwiKaren]

Thanks for the welcome guys
AtomRat. That would be great! This year is a total loss as far as getting out there (got some health things slowing me down but will right by Xmas) so will have to take a rain check for the moment.
In the mean time is there a post/thread on here with a list of gear needed for basic prospecting? Can't afford a metal detector yet but can slowly get the other items

 

[TTKooAu]

Wilcm KiwiKerin, nice to hev you on the forum. Sorry couldn't hilp mysilf :lol:
now don't go gitting vunductuv

 

[AtomRat]

Do you still have the pan and sieves you mentioned in the first post?

I started a topic here about my basic kit: https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=105358#p105358
Whenever you want to have a look, throw me a buzz, you can get the train to Lilydale.

 

[KiwiKaren]

Good topic AtomRat
When I can I will get a photo of what gear I have and post a pic. Might even see if I can add something to it tomorrow. lol

 

[AtomRat]

Excellent! How did you go with those trips over in NZ and NT by the way?

 

[KiwiKaren]

Wilcm KiwiKerin, nice to hev you on the forum. Sorry couldn't hilp mysilf :lol:
now don't go gitting vunductuv

heheh All good TTKooAu
I moved straight from NZ to Alice Springs and copped more Kiwi jokes than I you could ever imagine! Ive been here so long now that my accent only gets really noticeable if I have just come back from a holiday, talked on the phone to my Mum or have had a few drinks LOL
I now prefer vegemite over marmite and call chilly bins eskies but I refused to call a jandal a thong!

 

[KiwiKaren]

Excellent! How did you go with those trips over in NZ and NT by the way?

Well in NZ my Mum has a metal detector (it is crazy old and no I dont know what brand sorry!) but we only ever found old coins, weird tokens and nails. We went gold panning a few times but nothing notable in the area we went - which since we were in a gold mining area is pretty slack on our behalf!
As for Nephrite (aka Pounamu or Greenstone) every time I went to the beach my eyes were down looking for pieces that had been washed up. The nicest piece I ever found I cut for my husband - a born and bread Melbournite

As for the NT. I only got out to Mud Tank once with my Dad and Brother. I found plenting of zircons but no cutters. We were only there for a day but I would be happy out there for weeks!

 

[Ag Man]

Welcome aboard.
We got a group trip to Eldorado at the end of the month with several people from all over the place (inc/or passing thru Melbourne) attending if your keen to meet up with a great crew.
Esp, for a noobie, it'll be a great gathering to pick the brains of others who've got more experience & you'll get to see/ have a go at all the different techniques/gadgets members use.
Cheers - Marty

 

[KiwiKaren]

Welcome aboard.
We got a group trip to Eldorado at the end of the month with several people from all over the place (inc/or passing thru Melbourne) attending if your keen to meet up with a great crew.
Esp, for a noobie, it'll be a great gathering to pick the brains of others who've got more experience & you'll get to see/ have a go at all the different techniques/gadgets members use.
Cheers - Marty

I saw that Ag Man - it sounds fantastic but I can't make it this time. Having a ****** year health wise so no fossicking/prospecting for me till November unless it's just a day trip. It's ok though cos it gives me a chance to get my kit together and build the suspense for when I can finally go!

 

[Hunting the yellow]

Hi Everyone!

I have been itching to get out fossicking/prospecting for way too long! I decided to join this site to build some knowledge for when I finally get out hunting for some treasure
I am a member of the Nunawading Lapidary Club but have not yet been able to go on any of the clubs fossicking trips. I dont have a car so been patiently waiting till a planned trip matches up with my days off to tag along.
So far I have paned for gold in NZ and dug for zircons in the NT. Walked around Mooralla and picked up surface quartz crystals but that is it!
I have a few books on fossicking in Australia and even bought sieves, folding shovel and a pan in anticipation lol

I am a gemmologist and work in an antique jewellery store. Love reading and couldnt live without music.

Really looking forward to reading about everyones adventures and tips!

Karen

whelcome to the forum its great to see people with the same interestes im the field trip officer for diamond valley gem club we have a upcomeing fossil and mineral field trip comeing up on the 25th of october if your interested in comeing pm me. we will also be runing more trips later in the year

 

[KiwiKaren]

Hi Hunting the Yellow,
I am still getting familiar with this website and cant see where to pm you. Other people have a message or email button under their name but you dont.
Ive something else on on the 25th but would love to join in any other trips! Cant believe its the only day I have something planned for this entire year
Next time!

 

[Hunting the yellow]

Its ok ill plan another trip there later in the year maybe in nov sorry about the pm thing i gota post 10 more posts i think not really shore

 

[ChrisBarker]

Hey Karen and welcome! How Is the Nunawading Lapidary Club? (I live 5min from it) I have looked into it and am very keen to come down and visit and see what it's all about as I really want to get into the cutting of stones!, I'm just I little shy and have been trying to drag someone along with me to check it out haha

 

[KiwiKaren]

Hi Chris!
I was the same when I joined and have never met a nicer bunch of people. I phoned ahead so the first time I went there was someone specifically there to show me round.
I am happy to meet you there one night or the other option is to go to the annual exhibition which is on the 25th if I am rememeberibg correctly. The exhibition is held elsewhere but you can met people and ask a few questions.
I haven't been out for a long time but will start but up very soon. Ran into one of the other members at the Glen Waveley gem show... Even though I can't cut at the moment they were incouraging me to just go out for a cuppa and a chat which I might just do so let me know what Thurs works for you if you want company

I can't cut or fossick just yet as I am tail end of BC treatment. Finished chemo and almost halfway through radiotherapy. Feeling really good but my nails are lifting off which hurts and means I have to be careful with my hands. Might try cut a cab soon and see how it goes lol

Are you wanting to cut cabs or facet? They have a great room set up for jewellery making too!