Mining Adventures of 2009

Our Bonanza Sunstone Mine Most of this "mining season" was really a steel fabrication season for the Bonanza crew: We started with a dilapidated trailer frame that had been so overloaded that nearly every weld was broken. Chuck gave it a few love-taps ... John gave it a little TLC ... We added a set of springs ... ... and repaired the piece that "tool-time John" broke. The "test engineer" worked so very hard... The rocks jumped like popcorn. Ken added a spiffy paint job... The partners had their "Sunstone Schooner". Here she is on her first cruise. We fed her with a bobcat. Had a sorting party. ... and counted the loot ... more loot more loot schiller bar loot bi-color loot! 35-carat schiller loot The Sunstone Schooner will sail again! FEE-DIGGING ROUND-UP & UPDATES! Juniper Ridge Opal Juniper Ridge stayed well-booked this year. There are new developments at other mines in the Juniper Ridge complex, with interesting plans for next season. Stay tuned to the Juniper Ridge Opal Web Site for clues to next years' fun... Spectrum Sunstone Mines (High Desert Gems and Minerals) The Spectrum Mine continues to build on their accommodations, and to provide quality experiences for both rock-hound and novice digger alike - as well as doing production digging for Sunstone. Double Eagle Mine The Double Eagle Mine is a new player in the recreational fee-dig for Sunstones arena. They're run by Debbie & John Aldrich. I have not personally been to their location but I'm hearing pretty good things including some of the best prices available. Fee-Dig Scams This year was the low-point with regard to stories of unscrupulous practices and outright scams at some Sunstone fee-digs. This year, I've heard everything from tales of salting trash-dirt – like certain mines in the Carolinas are notorious for – to switching diggers' good finds for junk Chinese-cut stones – to outright fraud in ostensible "appraisals" of diggers' finds – grossly misrepresenting the value of stones found and the likelihood (possibility) that those stones will produce monetary return. I have said in the past that fee-digging is the equivalent of a guided fishing trip – You're paying for the trip, not the fish. If you want fish, go to the grocery store and make your selection from fish strips or from fresh caught Coho – as your taste and wallet will support. However, the three behaviors I've mentioned above are clear fouls – and in my opinion totally unnecessary to turn a profit at fee-dig hosting. As of now, I'm only recommending two fee-dig operations based on what I'm seeing with my own eyes and on what I'm hearing from trusted sources. Those operations are the Spectrum Mine and the Double Eagle. Fee-digging can still be a great time – and a great value. Have fun! Send me an e-mail if you have any questions or need any assistance planning your digging trip to the area.