The Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guides to the U.S.A.: Where & How to Dig, Pan and Mine Your Own Gems & Minerals: Northwest States [Paperback]

Kathy J. Rygle (Author), Stephen F. Pederson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2008 | Series: Gem & Mineral Guides to the U.S.A. (Book 1)

Whether you are an experienced rockhound or "prospector", or just digging for the first time, with a simple rock hammer and a little luck, you too can strike it rich ...or at the very least, have fun trying. From rubies, opals and gold, to emeralds, aquamarine and diamonds, each guide offers state-by-state details on more than 250 gems and minerals the United States has to offer, and the very affordable "fee dig" sites where they can be found. The authors offer easy-to-use information on the ins and outs of "fee dig" mining, complete with locations, costs, tips on technique, entertaining legends and important information on everything from safety kits to where the nearest restrooms are.Included are resources for use in identifying finds, polishing stones and having them made into jewellery and further pursuing this exciting, and possibly profitable, hobby. Focusing on the four major regions of the U.S., each guide covers: Gem & Mineral Sites: Locations of sites with directions and maps, the gems and minerals to be found, hours, fees and equipment needed. It also includes info on guide services, additional attractions and features at each site, local camping information and more; Museums & Mine Tours - Where to visit commercial and historical mines, as well as museums with exhibits of gems and minerals (for help in learning what to look for); Special Events & Tourist Information - Listings of regional events involving gems and minerals, and sources of general travel and tourism information for every state.

Product Details

• Paperback: 177 pages
• Publisher: Gemstone Pr; 4 edition (April 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 094376355X
• ISBN-13: 978-0943763552
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,395,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nothing you couldn't find on the Internet for free, May 9, 2008

By 

MS (Virginia) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guides to the U.S.A.: Where & How to Dig, Pan and Mine Your Own Gems & Minerals: Northwest States (Paperback)

I should have paid attention to the reviewers of the previous edition who said that this book was not helpful. I was hoping the new edition would be better, but it doesn't have any information that you couldn't find in a web search. Much of the book is padded with information about museums rather than actual places you can hunt for treasure. I had done a little research about dig sites in the places I'm going to, and I found a lot more sites than this book gives. It only lists sites where you dig for a fee, so you're not getting any inside information here. There is some potentially useful information in the beginning about what kind of tools you'll need and instructions for digging and sluicing, but again, you can find this online or at the site where you dig. There really isn't any reason to buy this book when you can find more, better, and up-to-date information on the web for free.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too many museums, May 12, 2008

By 

Brandon Jacobson "horten7" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guides to the U.S.A.: Where & How to Dig, Pan and Mine Your Own Gems & Minerals: Northwest States (Paperback)

Me and my wife are amature rockhounds. We were both a little dissapointed by the lack of locations listed in the book where one can go. The title of this book should have been "Gem and Mineral Museums of the NorthWest" as the book lists more museums than actual digging sites. The book lists mainly fee dig sites.

The following states did NOT have a single place listed under "Fee Dig sites" for rockhounds: Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota,

The following states only had ONE Fee dig site listed: Washington, Wyomong.

Perhaps the most usefull aspect of the book is the 25 page index by States. This index lists all 50 states and a few fee dig sites for SOME of the 50 states, but not all as mentioned above.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars worst book I ever bought, August 7, 2010

By 

geesfarm - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guides to the U.S.A.: Where & How to Dig, Pan and Mine Your Own Gems & Minerals: Northwest States (Paperback)

This book is totally worthless for the purpose the title states. The only information in the book is where to find museums. A complete and total waste of money!!!!! There is no information on where and how to dig, pan or mine gems and minerals. If you want a list of museums, (which you can get for free on line or at visitor centers)then consider this book. For any REAL information, forget it!!