The Scoop
Oregon Sunstone Trip June 2011
This June, 2011 three people who love the Oregon Sunstone arrived in the Plush area where the only natural copper bearing, unheated, untreated 100% Natural gems are found. Silly attempts to claim otherwise have been made, but please trust that only Oregon is the real deal. This was our 5th year of at least one trip, and part of our group has gone as many as 4 times in the same year. Each visit has produced deepening friendships and increased success. Please look at our Featured Items.
This year would prove to be very special. We arrived at the Spectrum Mine location where Chris Rose, Jessica, Ron, Terry and Skyler were all geared up for the spring digging season. We first of all rented one of their three cabins, which protected us from the sometimes fierce winds, and for the past two years the Spectrum has offered hot showers, and did those every feel good. After a day of mining it was like a new lease on life. We had good luck at the Spectrum. The Spectrum recently purchased the Double Eagle 13 now known as the Double Eagle 13-Spectrum. It lays right beside the Cattle Guarder mine. It was a nice aquisition in our opinion. The Spectrum had lots of options including a gem buffet program, along with various pit digs, and the belt runs. All the people there seemed to have good results.
We also visited the new Pana Mine where we got to know David, Randy and son Steve. They were very hospitable and offered reasonably priced fee digging. At the Pana we found some exciting green gems that we had rarely seen before. A sample of these greens along with some Spectrum gems can be seen in our Featured Items section on our Website Header. It is definitely worth a look. These stones are exceptional.
We visited only the Spectrum and the Pana, and we noticed a real spirit of cooperation between both of these mines, and that was great to see. The Oregon Sunstone area has been mined, but in many ways it hasn't really been tapped. The area is remote, and the weather can be challenging to say the least. If you go there you need to be prepared for anything from snow, rain, sleet, hail, and some bone chilling winds. You will need lots of food and water, but mainly be prepared for all kinds of weather changes. The area is not for the faint hearted, but if you want to work hard and put in the time you will have good results.
If you don't choose to do the pay mining operations there is always the public area. You can do a day trip out of Lakeview, and have a good time scouring the surface of the desert, and you will find Sunstones, but if you are a more serious miner then definitely get in touch with Chris or Jessica at the Spectrum, or David and Randy at the Pana, and make an arrangement for a fee dig. The rates are reasonable and there is always a better than average chance of discovering a very valuable Oregon Sunstone. Please contact us if you have questions.
Jim Stewart
www.oregonsunstonegem.com
Email: sales@oregonsunstonegem.com