Alright, so I got this crazy idea to go diamond hunting. Yeah, real diamonds! I’d seen those “dig your own gems” places advertised, and it seemed like a fun weekend project. So, I started by doing some serious digging, but not the kind with a shovel… yet.
Research, Research, Research!
First, I needed to figure out where the heck to even go. I Googled “dig for diamonds” and found a few places that seemed promising. I looked at their websites, checked out reviews, and tried to get a feel for what the experience would be like. I wanted a place that was somewhat legit, not just some tourist trap with glitter sprinkled in the dirt.
I picked a place a few hours away that had decent reviews and seemed to have a good history of actual diamond finds. It wasn’t a guarantee, of course, but it felt like a good starting point.
Gathering My Gear
Next up, I needed to figure out what gear to take. I am not a tools guy, but the websites I looked at had some recommendations. So I made a list:
- Small shovel or trowel: For, you know, digging.
- Buckets: To carry the dirt and rocks.
- Screening set: Basically, a set of mesh screens to sift through the dirt.
- Gloves: To protect my hands from getting all rough.
- Knee pads: Because I’m not getting any younger.
- Hat and sunscreen: It’s gonna be out in the sun all day.
- Water and snacks:Must be Hydrated.
I hit up a local hardware store and managed to find most of this stuff. It wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it felt like I was getting ready for a real adventure.
The Big Dig
So, the day finally arrived. I drove out to the diamond mine, paid my entry fee, and got a quick rundown of the “rules.” Basically, find a spot, dig, sift, and hope for the best. It sounded simple enough.
I found a patch of dirt that looked promising (no idea why, it all looked the same to me), and started digging. It was harder work than I expected! I filled a couple of buckets with dirt and gravel, then hauled them over to the washing area.
This is where the screening set came in. I poured the dirt onto the top screen, which had the largest mesh, and hosed it down. The water washed away the loose dirt, leaving behind larger rocks. I repeated this process with the smaller screens, gradually getting down to smaller and smaller particles.
Honestly, most of what I found was just… rocks. Lots and lots of rocks. But I kept at it, meticulously examining each screen-full, looking for that telltale sparkle. The websites I’d read said to look for “greasy” or “glassy” looking stones, and to pay attention to the shape – diamonds often form in octahedral shapes (like two pyramids stuck together at the base).
The Moment of Truth (or Disappointment)
After hours of digging, washing, and searching, I… didn’t find any diamonds. Not a single one. I found some interesting-looking rocks, a few bits of quartz, and a whole lot of mud. My back ached, my hands were sore, and I was pretty sure I had a sunburn.
But you know what? It was still kind of fun. It was like a treasure hunt, even if the treasure was elusive. I learned a bit about geology, got some exercise, and had a unique experience. Would I do it again? Maybe. Would I recommend it? Sure, if you’re up for a bit of hard work and don’t mind getting dirty. Just don’t expect to get rich quick!
So, that’s my diamond digging adventure. No bling to show for it, but a good story to tell. And hey, maybe next time I’ll strike it rich!
