FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[thecrystalfinder]

I found a new site for gem grade and near gem grade iolite above Slocan Park B.C. Canada. Along with iolite I also find gem and near gem grade rhodolite garnets, quartz crystals, and black tourmalines that have a amber color when viewed in bright light. The Iolite occurs in rounded nodules and stubby crystals in a pegmatite that runs through banded gniess and biotite mica schist. The garnets occur in the pegmatite and in the gniess and schist with the gemmiest crystals occuring in the gniess or right in the pegmatite, so far garnets have been found in sizes ranging from smaller then a pea to larger then basketball, with golf ball size garnets being the most common. Tourmalines and Quartz crystals occur in pockets in the mica schist and often the tourmalines are termanated on all sides. Iolite occurs as nodules and crystals in size from smaller then a pea up to the size of a golf ball, most of the iolite crystals and nodules are altering to green pinite? but some are almost flawless and have a medium sky blue to dark sapphire blue color. So far all crystals are from a higly weatheted zone that under goes a intense freeze thaw process every year so its remarkable that any gems have survived unweathered yet every inch into the rock I go the quality of the iolite and garnets increases. I am gonna do work to move rock by hand all summer in hopes of getting more and larger gem grade pieces of iolite and Garnet, more to be posted soon

-Herb Hyder
Gemstone Prospector

[Jason]

great finds, Herb..nothing better than when the hard work you put in prospecting and it pays off...love my pegs..please keep some pics coming..especially the in situ pics.

[thecrystalfinder]

picture of a garnet I found yesterday, uncleaned

[thecrystalfinder]

a picture of the best piece of iolite found so far, cant wait to find more :)

[RockhoundVI]

Hi Herb,

Saw your photos posted on FMF about Iolite. I am writing a book at present (due out Feb next year from Harbour Publ.) and wondered if I could use a couple of your iolite and garnet photos from the Slocan valley. They need to be hi-res (3000 x 2000 or better) and in focus. Could you help?

No money, I'm afraid, but photo credit of course, plus bragging rights, kudos, groupies and a chance to appear on the Jay Leno Show. Or not. Whatever.

Regards,
Rick
Rockhound on Vancouver Island, BC

[thecrystalfinder]

yah of course you can use my pictures. I have lots of good gem claims in BC so if you want any more info let me know