FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Pierre Joubert]

Since the last entry, we have been on a number of outings, discovering a new phantom pocket and some smaller finds. Two weeks ago, Riana and I re-visited a small hill where we have found some nice specimens in the past. She soon found a pocket with some beautiful crystals. I was digging about 1.5 meters from her and removed a large rock. At the bottom side of the rock, there were a few nice crystals attached. Digging in the hole, left by removed rock, I found another pocket. What a joy to remove two high quality pockets at the same time, and so close to each other. I will show some of the crystal specimens from my pocket and show some of her's when cleaned.
To those wondering how it is going with our rescued dog. She is recovering very well and has a stunning personality. http(:)//kosbaar1.blogspot(.)com/2018/04/kosbaar-precious-www.spam.orgof-rescued-stray(.)html

[Joan Martinez Bruguera]

Many congratulations for the discovery friend Pierre!

Best Regards;-)

[Pierre Joubert]

[Philippe Durand]

splendide !

[Pierre Joubert]

[Firmo Espinar]

[Chris Rayburn]

Beautiful Pierre! Those are among the clearest and sharpest crystals you've found on your many outings. Congratulations.

[Pierre Joubert]

Thank you Franjungle!

True Chris, we have found (over the years) a number as clear, but I cannot remember ever finding a pocket with so many of this quality. There are also many small ones that are gem quality.

[Pierre Joubert]

Yesterday was a cold and miserable day, but that did not put me off driving out to a remote farm to take a walk in the hills. The purpose was twofold, to look for crystals and to see if I could find a hammer and chisel I left somewhere. I parked the car at the foot of a hill and walked to the other side where there is a small gorge. As I was descending into the gorge, I noticed a few spots on a large quartz seam that looked promising. I did not expect much, but after turning a rock over that was full of crystals, I found a nice pocket in the ground just underneath it that yielded a few kg. of crystals. I found the hammer and chisel and also fell, hurting my knee. All in all it was a pleasant outing despite the fall and cold weather. Here are just a few pictures.

[Pierre Joubert]

Last week, I took a few days off and drove to one of my favourite destinations, an apple farm in Villiersdorp. The purpose was to further explore a new quartz pocket I found and to enjoy the lovely nature and weather.
The first day I spent at the new find and removed a few kg of these strange quartz crystals with an unknown black mineral. How time flies when you remove crystals. Darkness came all too soon. The next day, I spent another few hours at the quartz pocket and then took a walk around the huge farm. I found some crystals in a clay wall and some smaller crystals in other areas. The next morning, I spent about an hour searching for crystals and then headed home. What a wonderful and fulfilling trip.

[Pierre Joubert]

Last week, Thursday, I drove out to the Tankwa Karoo to visit a small roadside quarry to look for calcite, gypsum and quartz specimens. I had a delightful 2 half days and a peaceful nights sleep; but my trip was disturbed by a young man who decided to take his 4x4 off the road and into the quarry where he got stuck in the mud. I lost hours trying to help him get out but finally drove about 45 km to find help (which I fortunately did). The rest of my trip was ruined as I still wanted to visit another place, but time was up as I had to be back at a certain time, so I decided to head back home. Here is a few pictures (none of the 4x4 in the mud).

[Pierre Joubert]

Yesterday,as with most Saturdays, I took a drive to a remote farm and walked about 3 km to an area that I have only visited once before. There was a slope where some small quartz crystals washed out from higher up. I soon found the place where they came from. I turned a large rock over and found it to be full of small crystals underneath. In the ground underneath the large stone, I removed many crystals and plates of crystals; most two sided. There where still some snow on the mountains from a good snowfall a week ago and the wind was blowing cold. When I got back to the car and started to drive, I noted that it was 3 degrees Celsius.
I only cleaned a few specimens with water and hope to show some once they have been cleaned. Note they are still full of roots.

[Joan Martinez Bruguera]

Congratulations Pierre for the discovery of quartz, very pretty

Thank you!

[Pierre Joubert]

[Recovering - Academic]

Many thanks for sharing your field collecting photos. I have family and friends in South Africa who constantly tell me about just how beautiful the Cape can be.

Have you ever had an opportunity to visit Orania? It is a truly remarkable place, and highlights the industry and intellect of the Afrikaan people. It is an oasis in the desert and from the air you can see this little green jewel for miles, as it contrasts with the arid land that surrounds it.