adam 3,127 Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 Well I finally fulfilled a dream of mine. I have always wanted to go to topaz Mountain in the Thomas Range, outside Delta, UT. I think most hard core rockhounds, have often thought of going to this location and collecting the Gemmy Topaz, Bixbyte, and Red Beryl... The latter of which is rare, in pristine condition. Well at least for me it was.. I spent 7 days ( August 19th- August 26th) in the "amphitheater" and 6 days pounding the very hard Rhyolite with a 4 lb sledge hammer & chisel....Hard work can be very rewarding here, and it is tough. I broke by sledge handle 4 days in, luckily I had a backup handle ready to go... Ok enough talk....Heres the pictures A view of a couple collecting areas...Notice the white areas of Topaz bearing Rhyolite on the hillsides A view from collecting area #2 looking down toward my camp A rare pocket with Gem Topaz. A little pocket I was lucky enough to extract with no damage... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
adam 3,127 Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share Posted September 13, 2016 I wound up with many specimens of Gem Topaz ... Some were just exceptional quality My finest specimen.... A very glassy gem grade double terminated specimen with riders... A few more pieces.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
adam 3,127 Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share Posted September 13, 2016 I wish I could share all the great pieces with you , but thats just to much photography for me....If you have been on the fence about going to this area, just make the plans and go. Please consider staying more than 3 days, as the longer you stay, the more you learn and the better you get at finding topaz. Besides, it takes time to break of slabs of that very solid Rhyolite. Be sure to bring 2 sledge hammers, a very stout chisel, Safety glasses ( the cool looking ones), gloves, and knee pads... I will have to make a return trip someday... I leave you with an image of the Topaz Mountain with the Milky Way... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TomH 2,824 Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 Wow! You got a LOT of Topaz. Really nice ones too. Tom H. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hoser John 1,240 Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 not that's the way it's done. TOUGH slippery looking territory and as you just proved carrying extras of just about everything matters much as we definitely wear out equipment fast. thanks much for the pic tag along-John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Swampstomper Al 1,336 Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 What TomH said - really nice haul both Qs for sure..! Am I rightly feeling an ICMJ article here too..? Swamp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Haderly 99 Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Wow you did very well on that trip. Are you going to be selling any? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hoser John 1,240 Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 3rd visit to this thread and the righteous wonders of nature just keep looking better.....amazing species...thanx for great closeup pics-John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
frank c 969 Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Very Nice AND it looks like "eggs" were the main around camp ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DolanDave 701 Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Very Nice finds Adam.... great pics... thanks.. Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Terry Soloman 947 Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 So happy for you Adam. Great photos, and your finds are wow, just WoW! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LukeJ 2,124 Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 WOW !! Adam.... I agree with all the previous comments..... Luke Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Relichunter2016 717 Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 Adam, wow those are some nice looking topaz specimens with the rock attached. Sounds like a nice trip to do one day. Great pictures and thanks for sharing your mineral stash with us. Fred Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ahorton10 210 Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 Dude! Those are amazing! Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
adam 3,127 Posted September 21, 2016 Author Share Posted September 21, 2016 On 9/13/2016 at 5:38 PM, Haderly said: Wow you did very well on that trip. Are you going to be selling any? Thanks everyone, it was an amazing trip. There is more to share. I also went to www.u-digfossils.com and had a bladt digging up lots of 550 million year old trilobites. And i made a trip to the not very published site , the glitter pits. More to come soon. Yes haderly, i will be selling a few topaz specimens when i have the time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cf23 6 Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 (edited) Nice specimens there , sounds like you had a great time , its a fun area I have found some very small bixbite there too but its rare . It sucks that the color fades in the topaz though . There is some nice stuff in the mineral mountains too if you ever get a chance. Nice Job and nice photos too ! Edited September 22, 2016 by cf23 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boulder dash 1,243 Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 Man, words don't even describe that awesomeness right there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
H-2 Charlie 187 Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Local has this gem for sale for $350 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pondmn 264 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Really nice specimens... The amethyist cathedral is from Brazil. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigrex 60 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 (edited) Hmm, just stumbled upon this, great report,beautiful photos and specimens. Thank you. I've been out there a few times but not for that long of a stretch, maybe since I live closer. I once guided a troop of younger scouts (around age 8 or so) out there. They had a blast and found a pretty good amount for the time they were there. If you're ever out there and want a tour of the non-pay trilobite areas, some in a reddish and tan shale, let me know. There is also the interesting gold area up Amasa Valley within ten miles of the trilobite area. Edited February 16, 2017 by bigrex Quote Link to post Share on other sites
adam 3,127 Posted February 19, 2017 Author Share Posted February 19, 2017 Hey Rex, good to hear from you !...Im definitely going back , likely this year . Staying for several days seemed to be very beneficial. I may know of that spot with the Trilobites in the red material... Did not make the time to check it out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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