Just saw this, a year late! I think you found God's Crayon box. Be careful even approaching the edge of one of those mine shafts it can crumble and in you go! Very smart not to have taken your dogs. This makes me want to immediately go to Montana. WOW
The one that you weren't sure if it was quartz or calcite is definitely calcite. Quartz crystals always have six sides only, where calcite typically is either six or four sided, but even with variations of these. Quartz is rarely found in limestone where calcite often is. I assume that the multi-colored rock is from the tailing piles. Very strange looking stuff. It appears by the way you handle it, that it is fairly light, rather than heavy for its size. I'm guessing it is some kind of transformed limestone that was "overburden" for what they were looking for or it would not be piled up around the mines like that. Yes, the bright blue is azurite and the greenish is malachite. We have some of the largest copper deposits here in the Southwest, so I am used to seeing those. But you are in a heavy copper area in the Butte region too, where the Copper Kings held sway. That gangue rock is bizarre.... it almost does not look real. In most copper/gold/silver/lead mines you find all of the metals, but one dominates, often substantially. The tungsten is the new factor for me.... never been to a tungsten deposit. Some of the red almost looks like rhodochrosite. Checking Part 2 to see if you found anything new.
Hi Kim I really love watching your videos. You sound so cheerful all the time and that you truly love rocks. I live in NC and the rocks here are just, well, mostly plain old rocks. We don't have agats and jasper like Montana does or the petrified wood. This mine tailings sure had some interesting rocks. Blue is my favorite color and I loved the blue banded ones. Keep up the good finds, you are fun to watch. Theo is my other favorite rockhound both of you make it so interesting with your descriptions of the rock. Sincerely: Michael Reid
I’m about half way through the video and the whole time I keep saying PLEASE TELL ME YOU TOOK SOME OF ALL OF THOSE AMAZING PIECES HOME TO SLICE!!! I’m hoping you did lol!! I wouldn’t be able to walk away with out filling up my bag! Everything is sooooo amazing. Do you by chance have any for sell??? I would LOVE a piece! Gorgeous and fascinating.
Thanks for sharing another post MRM, much appreciated! 👍 Lots of interesting specimen to select from there, just love what the earth offers up for our esthetic appreciation! 🤷♂️As a general rule of thumb, if it's colored, has inclusions, banding or plumes I call it agate, if its just clear to foggy with no color or inclusions I'll call it chalcedony.🤦♂️🤔 I know for myself it's always hard to be as selective as I'd want/need to be with so much beautiful material to choose from! Colors colors colors means lotsa different minerals! Hurray~ Just love it, great finds for day 1, hoping your day 2 was equally productive or even more so...Time to drag a trailer behind the Jeep! 😁 Wow, what a super day out rockhounding, thanks again for sharing your adventure and the magnificent finds! Hope you and yours have a great weekend ahead~
What incredible minerals!!! I'm truly amazed, especially because you had such an array of great finds so easily gotten. You must of had some real good karma coming your way to find such an incredible place with such amazing finds!!! Keep on, you did great!!
Incredible stuff. It's not just the various magnificent colors gut the patterns are out of this world. If only I were younger this would be on my bucket list. Can't wait to see #2.
Oh my gosh that beauty at 6:00!!!😳 that is gorgeous! Im super partial to fortifications though😂 that is some fantastic material! awesome video as always! We oughta head to the pryors together sometime!😊
The blue of that Chrysocolla is only what they call orange peel in that it is only a few millimeters thick on a host rock. Not worth cutting up. The other specimines look as though we're metallic minerals the ores of silver, gold, lead and other industrial use minerals. Auzurite would be a FIND and keep looks like a place to return to with a shovel to dig through the tailings a bit more aggressively often the old miners leave stuff of great value behind but it's not going to be easy to find.
Outstanding finds, love all the colors. So cool, learned something new. Thank you for sharing. Amazing photos! Definitely want to be safe around those holes, and yeah I also wonder what animal might be down there, when I'm all alone in the woods following the river or creek.
Hi there! I LOVE your channel. Thanks for publishing these. My family and I are headed up to Dillon this weekend and I'm wondering if you might share with me the location of this video. I know the general location of the Calvert hill mine tailings, but my daughter - future geologist :D - saw the azurite and the banded agate (?) in this video and desperately wants to add them to her collection! Any tips would be so very much appreciated. Thanks again!
Hi Montana Rock Mom, my name is Sheree and I live in So. California and my husband and I have a small cabin in Alder about 35 miles from Dillon and I get to visit Montana about once a year. I've been a jeweler and gemstone collector for about 30 yrs and i am now starting to have an interest in collecting rocks. In this video you mentioned Dillon was near where you were rock hunting. I fell in love with what looked like blue lace agate? and the other gorgeous stones you were finding.... Sooooo I was wondering if you would consider showing me this spot next time I get to Montana or give directions to this site : ) I just subscribed to your channel and I'm truly enjoying your videos. Thank you
Absolutely! Let me know when you are close to coming out to Montana and I'll give you directions to exactly where I went! It's about 20 minutes outside Dillon.
The horizontal tunnels are "Adits", the vertical holes are "shafts" and one that is unfenced like that is very dangerous. You might find it interesting to watch some of the mine exploration videos on TH-cam. Old mines are not necessarily dangerous, depending on the stability of the rock they are located in. Like anything, you can get hurt if you don't pay attention and have proper equipment, particularly an oxygen level meter and a good helmet. A couple of powerful lights are essential when going into an abandoned mine. Oh, and someone knowing where you are if you don't return on time.
I think every one of your viewers will sign up for an entire series of you cutting these rocks! I’m still slightly convinced that this video is fake, because how can this many absolutely insane formations both exist and just be lying around! So, so insane and cool! Also, I’m not sure if you ever consider selling the stones you collect (I could see it being either a fun way to raise some cash or a huge time suck depending on your perspective), but I would ABSOLUTELY buy a box of random rocks from this location! They’re just magical.
You don't wanna go running without care around those parts, do ya!? I live in CO and see old mines everywhere, but I haven't seen them GO STRAIGHT DOWN! lol!
What is common in our own areas becomes, ya it's just another..... But what your showing us, the rest of us. Would love to find such things. Love your Chantal..have fun!
that sure is a beautiful find( orangeish/yellow, black , and the agate) cool finds, did ya get some to slab up later? i would just had to take a bunch with me!!
@@daveford1808 sweet! Sorry...I had missed your last reply... I could have given you more specific directions! I parked back by the mines and hiked all over the hills. There is sooooo much to be found back there...all sorts of stuff!
Would like to know what area by dillon your at? Was there on 3-29-21 and found a couple but was not there looking for mines specifically on that trip. Thanks for any info and keep up the good work
@@MontanaRockMom Really????...my heart just started beating fast. If you can do that I won’t forget you when weather gets good and I go upstate to all those Herk Mines and get a ton of those beautiful Herk Diamonds..count on it!
@@MontanaRockMom I find that extremely fascinating! And it also tells me that I have much to learn about the creation of agate banding... Anyway, GREAT finds!
To find out how far down a mine shaft goes? Do what they did in Washington to find out about the hole with no bottom. tie a line across the hole with a loop in the middle. then tie a line on your camera (with a flashlight) and lower the camera. Takes all of 10 mins to set up. Tell me you kept some of that Blue Crazy laced banded agate. You know how hard it is to even find blue stones? I like blue and feel they make the prettiest jewelry. out of interest? did you use your geiger counter in that area?
I forgot to bring the geiger counter! I did keep a bunch of the blue crazy lace! Blue seems pretty rare to find, always catches my eye. I am also pretty infatuated with green rocks!
Exit 59 to Hwy 278. Drive 6.7 miles and turn right onto the road leading to Argenta. Continue 5.6 miles, turn right onto a dirt road. Drive 0.1mile to another dirt road and turn right. Park and hike the surrounding areas covered in mine shafts/Tailings.
@@davidford7490 hello Dave. My name is Mike. My wife and I love rocks. We watched a video on TH-cam about finding pretty rocks near Argenta,Montana. We live in Montana and we love looking for rocks. Could you contact us on where to look for the beautiful blue rock in the video? 🙂 Love to talk with you. Thank you for your time.
Glad you're not entering the actual adit of the mine. (Warning) never enter old mines without an expert evaluation of the mine and an expert guide to go with you. Think about 100 year old timbers holding up 100s of tons of Rock over your head and holes in the ground that could drop you 100s of feet and no one can save you. 😲 Don't enter old mines Note to self don't enter old mines ever!
MRM always finds some great stuff
That is some beautiful material
Just saw this, a year late! I think you found God's Crayon box. Be careful even approaching the edge of one of those mine shafts it can crumble and in you go! Very smart not to have taken your dogs. This makes me want to immediately go to Montana. WOW
The one that you weren't sure if it was quartz or calcite is definitely calcite. Quartz crystals always have six sides only, where calcite typically is either six or four sided, but even with variations of these. Quartz is rarely found in limestone where calcite often is. I assume that the multi-colored rock is from the tailing piles. Very strange looking stuff. It appears by the way you handle it, that it is fairly light, rather than heavy for its size. I'm guessing it is some kind of transformed limestone that was "overburden" for what they were looking for or it would not be piled up around the mines like that. Yes, the bright blue is azurite and the greenish is malachite. We have some of the largest copper deposits here in the Southwest, so I am used to seeing those. But you are in a heavy copper area in the Butte region too, where the Copper Kings held sway. That gangue rock is bizarre.... it almost does not look real. In most copper/gold/silver/lead mines you find all of the metals, but one dominates, often substantially. The tungsten is the new factor for me.... never been to a tungsten deposit. Some of the red almost looks like rhodochrosite. Checking Part 2 to see if you found anything new.
* Love the white & banded blue ~ Amazing.. Slabs would make Great Pendants..
You Rock, we are enjoying your channel, neighbors in Idaho
Ooooohhhhhh Idaho.... I was looking to order a rockhounding book for a visit there next spring.... on my list!
I love the lichens growing on the outside.
Hi Kim I really love watching your videos. You sound so cheerful all the time and that you truly love rocks. I live in NC and the rocks here are just, well, mostly plain old rocks. We don't have agats and jasper like Montana does or the petrified wood. This mine tailings sure had some interesting rocks. Blue is my favorite color and I loved the blue banded ones. Keep up the good finds, you are fun to watch. Theo is my other favorite rockhound both of you make it so interesting with your descriptions of the rock. Sincerely: Michael Reid
👏👏👏 spectacular finds! All the colors 💜❤️💙💛💚🎨
What a wonderful hound.
Great finds.
Looking forward to you cutting them open 👍
Thank you Big Keg...this trip was definitely one of my favorites!
Got some great cutters there!!
Thank you Michael...and thanks for subscribing to my channel!
I’m about half way through the video and the whole time I keep saying PLEASE TELL ME YOU TOOK SOME OF ALL OF THOSE AMAZING PIECES HOME TO SLICE!!! I’m hoping you did lol!! I wouldn’t be able to walk away with out filling up my bag! Everything is sooooo amazing. Do you by chance have any for sell??? I would LOVE a piece! Gorgeous and fascinating.
Looks like heaven!
Photography is absolutely amazing and the rocks are stunning
Unbelievable !!!
You really should make a video of you slabbing these, the banding will run through the whole stone and make insane slabs.
That orange rock was so vivid.....It looks like Jasper.
I think that the blue rock with banding is Calcanite, but don't quote me 😎
I will look that up!
It looks like blue lace agate to me!
The bands on the rocks at 6:00 are so cool I most definitely gotta get up there some time thanks for sharing 👍
Yes you do! You will find unreal stuff.
Unbelievable stuff! I have to go up to Montana one more time this year I guess! That banded stuff is worth the drive.
Tour videos are awesome
Wow! Just gorgeous!! awesome video,much love and appreciation for your time and efforts, from Ply.Ma. you 'Rock' 🤘😁rock mom
Thanks Cynthia!
Really pretty finds. So glad the dogs stayed home!
Thanks for sharing another post MRM, much appreciated! 👍 Lots of interesting specimen to select from there, just love what the earth offers up for our esthetic appreciation! 🤷♂️As a general rule of thumb, if it's colored, has inclusions, banding or plumes I call it agate, if its just clear to foggy with no color or inclusions I'll call it chalcedony.🤦♂️🤔 I know for myself it's always hard to be as selective as I'd want/need to be with so much beautiful material to choose from! Colors colors colors means lotsa different minerals! Hurray~ Just love it, great finds for day 1, hoping your day 2 was equally productive or even more so...Time to drag a trailer behind the Jeep! 😁 Wow, what a super day out rockhounding, thanks again for sharing your adventure and the magnificent finds! Hope you and yours have a great weekend ahead~
I on't know but sure like to find out (4:04) The seam agate is nice. all kinds of good stuff. Havagudun gal.
What incredible minerals!!! I'm truly amazed, especially because you had such an array of great finds so easily gotten. You must of had some real good karma coming your way to find such an incredible place with such amazing finds!!! Keep on, you did great!!
Thanks Wayne
Ok. Planning my trip to Dillion. Only 5 hrs from boise!!! 4-5 night stay will be fun Thank you for the video. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.
Like Paisagens lindas..😎
Just discovered your channel....excellent!🙂
Thank you!
It's so amazing that a piece of rock can have every colour in the rainbow! Thanks so much for sharing!
Nice specimens
Incredible stuff. It's not just the various magnificent colors gut the patterns are out of this world. If only I were younger this would be on my bucket list. Can't wait to see #2.
Oh my gosh that beauty at 6:00!!!😳 that is gorgeous! Im super partial to fortifications though😂 that is some fantastic material! awesome video as always! We oughta head to the pryors together sometime!😊
I would be up for the Pryors anytime Theo!!!! Whenever I find something with fortifications I think my heart skips a beat.
Beautiful country and awesome rocks. Thanks for sharing👍👍
I’ll bet that was a great day of exploring, so many beautiful looking rocks.
Those colors!
❤️
I bet that was hard choosing what rocks to keep. I would have wanted to keep them all
I’ve seen you on other rockhounding channels and decided to subscribe!
Thank you for watching Just Julee--- it's nice to meet you.
@@MontanaRockMom it’s very nice to meet you as well! I love the rockhounding community!
So beautiful!
that rock you showed at 4;58 looked like agate and jasper
The blue of that Chrysocolla is only what they call orange peel in that it is only a few millimeters thick on a host rock. Not worth cutting up. The other specimines look as though we're metallic minerals the ores of silver, gold, lead and other industrial use minerals. Auzurite would be a FIND and keep looks like a place to return to with a shovel to dig through the tailings a bit more aggressively often the old miners leave stuff of great value behind but it's not going to be easy to find.
I don't mean to be disrespectful;but you are a beautiful woman and your passion amazing!!! Thank you.
Outstanding finds, love all the colors. So cool, learned something new. Thank you for sharing. Amazing photos! Definitely want to be safe around those holes, and yeah I also wonder what animal might be down there, when I'm all alone in the woods following the river or creek.
Hi there! I LOVE your channel. Thanks for publishing these. My family and I are headed up to Dillon this weekend and I'm wondering if you might share with me the location of this video. I know the general location of the Calvert hill mine tailings, but my daughter - future geologist :D - saw the azurite and the banded agate (?) in this video and desperately wants to add them to her collection! Any tips would be so very much appreciated. Thanks again!
Hi Montana Rock Mom, my name is Sheree and I live in So. California and my husband and I have a small cabin in Alder about 35 miles from Dillon and I get to visit Montana about once a year. I've been a jeweler and gemstone collector for about 30 yrs and i am now starting to have an interest in collecting rocks. In this video you mentioned Dillon was near where you were rock hunting. I fell in love with what looked like blue lace agate? and the other gorgeous stones you were finding.... Sooooo I was wondering if you would consider showing me this spot next time I get to Montana or give directions to this site : )
I just subscribed to your channel and I'm truly enjoying your videos. Thank you
Absolutely! Let me know when you are close to coming out to Montana and I'll give you directions to exactly where I went! It's about 20 minutes outside Dillon.
@@MontanaRockMom Wonderful I’ll let you know 😃 and thank you very much !!!
Also...look for @Dave Ford...in the comments... he is one of my subscribers and lives in Dillon...
@@MontanaRockMom I will, Thank you so much
The horizontal tunnels are "Adits", the vertical holes are "shafts" and one that is unfenced like that is very dangerous. You might find it interesting to watch some of the mine exploration videos on TH-cam. Old mines are not necessarily dangerous, depending on the stability of the rock they are located in. Like anything, you can get hurt if you don't pay attention and have proper equipment, particularly an oxygen level meter and a good helmet. A couple of powerful lights are essential when going into an abandoned mine. Oh, and someone knowing where you are if you don't return on time.
Thanks for passing along all your knowledge...very helpful!
I think every one of your viewers will sign up for an entire series of you cutting these rocks! I’m still slightly convinced that this video is fake, because how can this many absolutely insane formations both exist and just be lying around! So, so insane and cool!
Also, I’m not sure if you ever consider selling the stones you collect (I could see it being either a fun way to raise some cash or a huge time suck depending on your perspective), but I would ABSOLUTELY buy a box of random rocks from this location! They’re just magical.
Another article to look up is Problems Polishing Malachite
Thanks Nancy! It's such a beautiful mineral, wish it wasn't so naughty 😟
@@MontanaRockMom lol
You don't wanna go running without care around those parts, do ya!? I live in CO and see old mines everywhere, but I haven't seen them GO STRAIGHT DOWN! lol!
🙈 scary!!!
looks like chrysocolla to me :)
Girl you have found retirement, don't pass it up!😉
What is common in our own areas becomes, ya it's just another.....
But what your showing us, the rest of us. Would love to find such things. Love your Chantal..have fun!
😄 Love it- Thanks Greg
that sure is a beautiful find( orangeish/yellow, black , and the agate) cool finds, did ya get some to slab up later? i would just had to take a bunch with me!!
Beautiful I live in Dillon and not sure where this is
Right outside Dillon over by Argenta.
@@MontanaRockMom thanks for the info take care
@@MontanaRockMom that's by the dump?
I found the place spent all morning up there thanks for the spot
@@daveford1808 sweet! Sorry...I had missed your last reply... I could have given you more specific directions! I parked back by the mines and hiked all over the hills. There is sooooo much to be found back there...all sorts of stuff!
👍👍❤️👏👏👏
Ma'am I'm 100% certain you have found Autunite, or meta-autunite. Contains high levels of uranium. Often found near gold, silver, and lead mines
Have you cut any of these rocks? I would love to see what they are like inside!
I will be doing some more cutting videos soon! Thanks Robert.
I’m wondering if some of that material was left over from a smelting operation?
...possibly....
Red Stuff could be Cinnabar be carful.
Omg, fortification banding...some are so blue. Got to cut some of those beauties. Polished copper ...just saying!
Would like to know what area by dillon your at? Was there on 3-29-21 and found a couple but was not there looking for mines specifically on that trip. Thanks for any info and keep up the good work
I was to the East of Dillon by Argenta....
@@MontanaRockMom I was just up there on the 29th,that blm south if that has alot of mining activity..I'm still editing video from my 680 mile day trip
Please tell me your going back in the spring
I'll get more this summer and send you a chunk!
@@MontanaRockMom Really????...my heart just started beating fast. If you can do that I won’t forget you when weather gets good and I go upstate to all those Herk Mines and get a ton of those beautiful Herk Diamonds..count on it!
Amazing finds..How much did you take home?
Not very much at all.
@@MontanaRockMom Really????
How deep does the banding go? It looks like it's just painted on the surface...
In most of the areas it stayed towards the surface...I wish it would have penetrated deeper.
@@MontanaRockMom I find that extremely fascinating! And it also tells me that I have much to learn about the creation of agate banding... Anyway, GREAT finds!
To find out how far down a mine shaft goes? Do what they did in Washington to find out about the hole with no bottom. tie a line across the hole with a loop in the middle. then tie a line on your camera (with a flashlight) and lower the camera. Takes all of 10 mins to set up.
Tell me you kept some of that Blue Crazy laced banded agate. You know how hard it is to even find blue stones? I like blue and feel they make the prettiest jewelry. out of interest? did you use your geiger counter in that area?
I forgot to bring the geiger counter! I did keep a bunch of the blue crazy lace! Blue seems pretty rare to find, always catches my eye. I am also pretty infatuated with green rocks!
Porcelain agate perhaps?
Couldn’t find this site
Hello mother of rocks, is the red mineral Cinnabar perhaps?
I think you may be right. Of everything it could possibly be, it seems to most closely resemble Cinnabar. Thank you!!!!
@@MontanaRockMom Dangerous stuff. Mercury, I believe.
@@Cliffwalkerrockhounding right! So scary!
@@MontanaRockMom Just dont lick it :) I make videos too of my spot in BC, if you want to see my finds
@@Cliffwalkerrockhounding cool! I will follow you!
Is this by grasshopper creek?
Exit 59 to Hwy 278. Drive 6.7 miles and turn right onto the road leading to Argenta. Continue 5.6 miles, turn right onto a dirt road. Drive 0.1mile to another dirt road and turn right. Park and hike the surrounding areas covered in mine shafts/Tailings.
Thanks sorry if I'm being a pain asking you so much
@@davidford7490 hello Dave. My name is Mike. My wife and I love rocks. We watched a video on TH-cam about finding pretty rocks near Argenta,Montana. We live in Montana and we love looking for rocks. Could you contact us on where to look for the beautiful blue rock in the video? 🙂 Love to talk with you. Thank you for your time.
Have you ever learned what the rocks are from 4:00 - 5:30 ?
...and 6:30? Gorgeous!
Glad you're not entering the actual adit of the mine. (Warning) never enter old mines without an expert evaluation of the mine and an expert guide to go with you. Think about 100 year old timbers holding up 100s of tons of Rock over your head and holes in the ground that could drop you 100s of feet and no one can save you. 😲 Don't enter old mines Note to self don't enter old mines ever!
I don’t even know what to say….