Rockhounding Amethyst, Smoky Quartz, & More in the Kingston Range- FIND AMETHYST NEAR VEGAS!!!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- In this episode of Solomon's Vegas Adventures, Solomon, Deanna, Emily, Katherine, Libby, and Ryan went up into the Kingston Range to go rockhounding for some Amethyst. The crew not only found Amethyst, but also found Smoky Quartz, Citrine, and regular Quartz.
The Kingston Range is located in San Bernardino County, California, roughly an hour and a half from Las Vegas. It's only about 40 miles from Las Vegas as the crow flies, but access to the Kingston Range is about 90 miles away without a 4x4 vehicle. The mountain range itself is composed of a middle to late Miocene Granite & Quartz Monzonite Pluton (about 11 million years old), and the Amethyst and other Quartz crystals are found in fractures, faults, planes of weakness, and veins in the granite that formed due to regional tectonics as the pluton was still cooling underground. This has led to gorgeous and large quartz crystal growth. The magma stock was enriched in Iron and to a lesser extent Aluminum, and due to that, much of the Quartz crystals grew as Amethyst and to a lesser extent Smoky Quartz. Amethyst gets its purple color by Iron impurities in the Quartz, and Smoky Quartz its black color by Aluminum impurities.
The entire area is located on BLM land, and rockhounding is perfectly legal, free, and permitted. We found lots of trash out there, which was a travesty, and took it upon ourselves to pick it up. Please respect the land.
I have seen several rockhounding videos that have taken place in the Kingston Range where the makers of the video have attempted to hide the location they were at and be all cloak and dagger about where they went. I've extrapolated their exact locations by cross-referencing frames where they accidentally included a view in their videos with Google Earth (I work on Google Earth, Google Maps, ArcGIS, and other geographic softwares extensively). I'll just say that this method worked, as I found a good amount of Amethyst, Smoky Quartz, Citrine, and Quartz up there. I'd be willing to personally guarantee you that taking a trek into the canyon we did will warrant you at least some success in finding Quartz, though the area is admittedly quite rugged.
I'm giving you guys the exact directions to get to the place because I don't roll like those other rockhound youtubers and I appreciate transparency. As I do this, please do not trash the area and respect the land. If you do find Amethyst, please don't take an excessive amount or anything either.
To get to where we rockhounded from Las Vegas, take I-15 south into California for about 65 miles to Exit 272 (Cima Rd). Take the exit, turn right onto Excelsior Mine Road so that you are heading north, and continue for 29.3 miles. The road will get a little treacherous, as it is paved with several potholes that need repair, but a sedan could make it up there. You will drive into the Kingston Range. Pass a spring with a cabin (Horse Thief Springs), head up the pass (Tecopa Pass) and park in the next valley. Then hike about 2 miles up the wash into the canyon. There are several Quartz, Amethyst, Citrine, and Smoky Quartz bearing veins located throughout the canyon.
All photos property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Sources consulted for use in the video:
pubs.geoscienc...
www.quartzpage....
www.gemsociety...
www.geologyin.c...
mrdata.usgs.go...
#rockhounding #adventure #lasvegas #california #nevada #rockhoundingnevada #rockhoundingcalifornia #amethyst #smokyquartz #quartz #citrine #explore #crystalhunting #mining #findinggems #geology
Thank you for being honest enough to share this location...yes, it is most frustrating watching the majority of rockhound videos where pain is taken to not help you find the area...stingy, folks abound! I may never get to the Kingston Range, but it gives me hope knowing there is someone else like me who does not mind sharing. Thank you again Solomon!!!!
i know right! it's crazy how stingy rockhounds usually are about locations. we're all doing it for fun and to give us an excuse to adventure and find treasures from the earth, shouldn't be turned into a competition.
I am amazed you found that in less than two hours.
That is incredible. You are a geology mensch. 💜 Thank you for the video.
Good information. Gem hunting is one of my favorite things to do, I go in payson area and have found many amazing rainbow filled perfectly double terminated quartz scepters. Often glass quality clear ..i honestly love just being outdoors in the woods..it is my therapy. But I also love finding gems too..
Gem cutting is one of my favorite things
to do. If you have any cutting order,
pls forward to:
GPO Box 1142, Bangkok, Thailand.,
for Brilliant cut, Calibrated sizes.
I go to Payson at least 3 times a year. And going to Diamond Point has to be one of my favorite rockhounding spot! The other soot (of course) is Round Mountain for all the Fire Agates🤗👍
Nice Finds!!!! I have learned more from a handful of your video, than I have from any rockhounding channel combined! Keep up the good work! Can't wait to see what you find as you travel around the country!
Thank you!!! Appreciate it
Great time up there! You really have to hunt there and do some digging got some really good specimens Thank you Salomon keep up the good Rocking..
Been there many times, went in from Tecopa up to the pass by the iron mine. followed the wash up. Found beautiful 4 inch needle amethyst crystals in pockets. If you dig down following the light amethyst veins the color get much darker under ground. Made a spectacular discovery on the high ridge was a cave like a giant geode about 20 ft X 20ft and 6ft high full of giant crystals. someone had previously found it and taken the giant crystals out the bases of the crystals filled the hole cave some were 4 inches across. Was incredible standing in the giant crystal geode pocket.
Can you tell me how to get to where you went I understand if you don't of course😂 but I went out to the area and only found many tall mountains
Very nice video. Thanks for picking up the trash. You are good people!
My sister and I go all over the mountains behind Vegas. Thank you for helping us find cooler places!!
Hi- great video!
Geology and mineralogy nerd here.
One thing you might not know- the granite in that Pluton is Peraluminous. There’s actually incidental Syenite and Amphibolite in that range that contains corundum.
Also- in the beginning of your video you found clear Quartz in the wash. That’s probably actually Amethyst that faded in the sun. Amethyst sadly does bleach to clear with solarization.
I was thinking the same about sun bleached amethyst. The structure of the crystals was most like amethyst. Also, as a gold prospector, I'm quite familiar with mineralization and leaching of minerals. 😊
I watched the whole thing. And I agreed with everything you said about keeping nature trash free. .and often remove the trash I find too. (So that was nice to see) I found this video extremely helpful and full of useful information as I have always wanted to find amethyst . ✨💎❤🌈✌
Surprised you haven't been to Peterson/Hallelujah junction outside Reno!
Love your explanations of hours to identify different rocks. Can you come check out some stuff on my property? Lol.
Thanks for the tips! We found a beauty out there today! I would live to rock hound with u and your crew sometime! I love how you know the science and geography behind all your spots! My kids enjoy watching too.
Yo me and my lady are new to it any help on what to look for when up there have been up there 3x have not found much
@@lukerutherford3293 Same thing for me and my husband. We keep trying but find nothing. We always head off to the right in the canyon. Next year we're gonna look in on he other side near the wash.
Try going to the mountain peaks rather than canyons.
Exposed amethyst will 'bleach' out in the Sun. I have (or had) a nice amethyst agate I found on the shore of Lake Superior, really dark purple. There's a lot of iron deposition in many areas.
Great video.....very descriptive of the areas and geology.....very informative AND some nice specimens on top of everything. Your last comment regarding take out what you take in is 1000% right on......can't wait for another of your videos
Thank you for showing the way!
Never knew that was how amethyst was form, thanks for describing it! Again, another awesome vid, thanks for sharing.
Thank you for watching and the continued support!
Very cool
3:57 Nope! i can't see no guys, no matter how hard I look...
great video! keep it up!
MY FAVORITE CRYSTAL!!😍 A must go for me😁
Can't wait to get out there!
i want to bring my son there to grab a few of these.
Thank you for sharing this great video. good details on how to get there.. Thanks again...
Don’t throw your trash out. EVER ! Take it home with you. Everyone should follow this rule. Cool video 👍
Retired desert racer. Our club always did a walk around and collected camp area trash.
It was a normal thing to do. Maywood MC Dist. 37
Wow! So informative and such a cool video man!!!! Keep up the amazing work!!
Absolutely fantastic!
King Solomon 🤴 👑.
This is amazing… I knew there had to be something near us in LV just didn’t know where to look. Thank you so much!!!
By any chance do you know how many miles round trip the hike was up to the canyon? I plan on going very soon ❤
Loving these videos. I'll definitely have to check some of these spots out, since I'm a Vegas local as well!
I started looking for rocks and fossils about a year ago. I think I have watched all of your videos and I have learned soooo much watching your videos. I especially love this video and hope to make this trip soon. I was wondering if you might consider “guiding” us to the general area you found your specimens? Which wash did you go up?? I’m betting there are several washes???
Looking forward to more videos soon ….
Yo let me know if u Wana go I been up there a few times I think I know the area a little bit just not sure what to look for
@@lukerutherford3293Look for rock outcroppings and knobby, bulbous or rounded land formations. Look for places where there might be pockets in between rock formations. Crystals need open spaces in order to grow. Good luck! 🤠
Good Work and Great Rockhounding!
Thank you for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
New subscriber here. I wish we had Amethyst like that in my area. Very nice!
When we go out keeping, we always bring back more than we take. Pack it in , pack it out .
So good.
Another great video from "Solomon's Vegas Adventures", Great Job!
Thanks man, I appreciate it!
@@solomonsoutdooradventures t
Nice find.
nice. the explanation is very clear and understandable
Thank you for watching and for your support! I'm glad you found my video informative and enjoyable!
I love this channel
Loved the adventure. I am from the midwest and I been Arkansa's Hot Spring for the Quartz deposits. Question- is it citrine ? It looks like Iron staining. I found some crystals with similar color in my adventures and once they are out of the Oxalic acid bath the staining banishes. I thought the same thing but if it was real citrine the acid would have not changed the color, right? I might be wrong too but either way just wanted to let you know.
I have also been to Keokuk, Iowa for geode hunting and Upper Peninsula, Michigan for Yooper lights, and fossil hunting through out the exposed cretaceous-age bedrock within 200 miles of my location.
There's a spot in Arizona called "Geode Hill" & that ground is absolutely covered in geodes👍👍👍
Great video! So informative and from one scientist to another I can appreciate your knowledge and humor. I just started getting involved with local rockhounding groups on Facebook and whatnot. Everybody is so secretive. Do you ever take newbies out with you? I'd love to join you somtime or maybe we can get a local group together?
where you anywhere near the Purple heart mine? or was this in a different spot? recently a claim went up on purple heart so im looking for another spot to dig in the mountains there
Do you think I’d be okay if I just went out there with a shovel and maybe a screw driver/flathead? Or would you say I NEED to bring a pickaxe to find any amethyst?
Solomon! I’ve been traveling in a converted SUV on a rockhounding trip across the US.
I found some pretty great stuff and your video helped me do it. I’m making a video about the spot here soon…
Would you mind if I tagged you in my description to give you credit? Your breakdown of the geology was great!
Hey Griffin!
Just re-activated my channel (had to take kind of a hiatus for a bit- moved to Seattle and a lot has changed in life recently, lol). Just saw your Kingston Range video, I love it!
I would love if you tagged me! Sorry for the super late reply... lol. Good luck on all of your rockhounding adventures man, and maybe we could collab on a video someday!
-Solomon
@@solomonsoutdooradventures Awesome! I’m in the process of a move myself so I haven’t uploaded everything I’ve even got recorded.
Thanks for permission, I’ll drop a tag on the vid!
@@ThirdPlanetRocks Sweet man! Happy hounding! Good luck with the move!
At 3:12, what are those stone structures in the lower right corner of the frame?
If you bring carpet pieces and knee pads it makes for a better digging experiance.
I finally invested in some heavy duty knee pads the last time I went out to Hallelujah Junction (with claim permission obtained by my rock club 🤣) & I swear being able to drop to my knees must’ve saved my life several times that day! Because when you’re on top of a mountain with that thin air from the high altitude & hunched over basically letting all the blood rush to your head it is real easy to find yourself feeling very dizzy without any warning! Personally, I think heavy duty knee pads are the best advice to give any novice rock hounds! ☺️
Thanks. Appreciate the video.
Thanks for watching!
If you use smaller tools like flat head screwdrivers you can get fewer damaged crystals.
Chop sticks or drum sticks won't damage the crystals! 😊
Could you start leaving GPS coordinates?
Hey,. My name is George we went to kingston peak california and couldn't find the area you found amethyst
I've been there ...at the kingston peak, several times and found only small crystals. Can someone give me direction in this canyon of how to locate a quartz vein. I'm getting older and would like to find this spot before i pass. We always head off to the right when we get to horse thief camp. Am I at least headed in the right direction? Please advise this old rockhound. Thanks for any help you can give me.
Looking at a map I think he goes south towards Kinston Peak. The miocene granite and quartz pluton that he’s describing is on the south western side of the peak. Going right at Horse Thief would take you North? On Google Maps theres a point called Purple Heart Mine that i think may be up the wash he is describing. But I have never been so I may be wrong.
Going out there tomorrow hope to find some gems
how did u do
Great video! I thought smokey quartz was caused by iron not amethyst? Or is it both just the way the crystal formed that tells what color the crystal will end up?
honestly, doubted that there was anything Amethyst left out there. been poured over for decades by rockhounds.
Can u give me some help on where to go I stoped right b4 theif Rd on that little turn out for about 2 cars and went str8 Infront of me found nothing any help is appreciated I'm brand new to doing this it was the 1st time I ever went out not even sure what to look for
can u take me with u next time
How far up the canyon did u go to where u found the Amethyst? I really want to try and go here in a few weeks when I’m visiting Vegas. I’ve never done rockhounding or anything it would be for myself cause I’ve always wanted to do it and amethyst is my birthstone. Really want to find some! Btw your video is amazing!!!!! Any tips on where to look exactly would be much appreciated.
The crystal hill to the SE of the road's end is an active mining claim 1500ft S-N 600ft E-W so hike past the white poles if you're going to dig. The area has been heavily prospected for 100 years, all the washes have been picked clean by rock clubs. You can find milky lavender rough by digging just past the poles but you have to hike up the mountain with a pry bar and pick axe to find the nice stuff and it's one of the most rugged mountains in the Mojave. There is no cell service and there are rattlesnakes and deer ticks in the brush, so be careful, hope to see you out there.
Oh that sounds daunting. Is that where they dug in the video? I was hoping to go near where they went even if I just find a few okay pieces would be cool.
@@mojavewander9308 thanks. I might not even go. Kinda overwhelming with my lack of knowledge/experience.. I’m only visiting Vegas for a short time and I’d have to borrow my mother in laws vehicle lol I just find it so amazing and itd be a dream to do this myself some day. But we shall see.
@@mojavewander9308 there is plenty be 4 the claim starts also
There is a poundage limit of specimens taken off BLM land. It is around 150lb before you have to stake a claim to continue.
Are there geodes out there also? My father grew up out here in southern NV and (retired) we moved back a few years ago. He collected rocks as a kid and is really kind of rusty after over 5 decades. I did not grow up out here (but wish I had instead of the polluted stinking city in another state) and wanted to start with geodes. My father is nearly 70 and cannot hike long distances (his dad is 94) but we would still like to try. Thanks
Hi! If you’re up for a drive, you can do the Dugway Geode Beds in Utah. It’s easy to get to, you can drive right up (no / minimal hike) and bring a 5gal bucket to fill up!
My name is Deanna haha 😂
Sorry to break it to you, thats not citrine, thats iron stained quartz
So, is that first rock a giant geode?
Just wondering what the best way to clean these chunks
I’m not sure if I cleaned them in the best way, but I bathed them in a bucket of water, sloshed them around, and scrubbed them with a toothbrush 😂 it wasn’t very efficient and it took over an hour, but it was a good cheap start without buying any chemicals or anything haha
Iron out (oxalic acid) is what I use, it works great! I have also seen people use a textile cleaner.
Field trip??
What’s up I was wondering if I could get the coordinates?
I had read that 20 acres of this area you are in is now under an active mining claim. Have you heard anything about this?
yea there is a pretty big size claim out there but there is plenty out there not claimed the stuff is really everywhere
Can you explain BLM land and how we can learn that info. I am 1 week old in the rockhound hobby. Always took home pretty rocks but i love having more kmowledge of them.
I want today I didn’t find any. Would you be so kind as to share some tips
Kicjk ass! Thank you Solomon.
If I had a dollar for everytime you said amethyst 😂
#48-for the Algorithm!
I have more same stone
Trying to finding good places to hunt with my girlfriend here in Vegas. Seems like you need a permit to rock hunt anywhere smh
Do you check the BLM MLRS to make sure you are not on someone’s mining claim before you start removing minerals?
Not trying to make a fuss but the spot your digging on is a open active mining claim. You had to have seen all the posts.
Ok Karen.
We honestly didn't see any private property or claim signs when we went here. We went a ways up a canyon, up a ridge, and back on the other side of a hill. It's possible we missed the signs. If we were indeed on an active claim, it wasn't our intention at all to steal someone else's mineral rights. There were BLM employees that were out there establishing a trail when we went, and they told us where to go to find the amethyst. It wasn't our intention at all to claim jump. I can delete the video and return all of the specimens I collected to the area if we were indeed on a claim. I didn't collect them to sell or anything, I'm just a geologist that likes finding cool rocks and minerals. If we were on a claim, it was an honest mistake.
@@solomonsoutdooradventures keep doing what you do. Can you help me locate a spot to dig in up there please? I keep going there with no luck Thank you... really love your videos
not all of it is claimed up there
Unfortunately you were on a private claim mine, its funny to see this and others video digging on a private claim out there...Ive looked everywhere out there that's the only place out there where Amethyest... The claim owner should let the public dig there but future reference, your trespassing and claim jumping. And filmed it, so I noticed you stopped these videos, I found them interesting on what's around Vegas....BTW there are places about 90 mins away where I found fire agates, opal & petrified wood on BLM...and yes there are hazardous minerals out there people...Im just an amateur rockhounder and obey the rules where I collect....
it is so sad that people who liter has NO RESPECT AT ALL, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE ROCK HOUNDERS. THEY TAKE TAKE TAKE AND DON'T EVEN CARE TO TAKE THEIR TRASH=COULD IT BE THAT THEY ARE TRASH THEMSELVES?
46
I do believe you can take minerals on BLM land if there is no active claim ware you are. Research before you go so you don't claim jump someone's claim.