Blue Crystal Mine, La Sal, Utah
(30 Miles from Moab)
Beutiful Azurite/Malachite
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 29, 30, 31, June 1 and 2
The Blue Crystal Mine is about 30 miles from Moab, close to the Colorado border. I am checking in on where we could stay, but Moab, is most likely the best. This mine, and open quarry, produces some of the most beautiful azurite/malachite cutting material that I just love. Wednesday or Thursday, May 29 and 30. I have learned to plan two days at a mine or quarry to plan for bad weather. If we go to the mine on Wednesday, then we can use Thursday, to cut and polish if the weather is bad on Thursday, and then have three days for Silversmithing. if the weather is good on Wednesday and Thursday, we may go agate hunting at close by agate fields that sound fun to me. The owner of the mine will guide us to the best agate fields and may come with us. We will collect 2 to 3 hours at a private place that the mine owner does not let anyone else collect at. We can keep up to a 16 ounce cup of cutting material. This material is very rare and very expensive and cup full will most likely be enough to pay for the entire 5 day class. They sell from $50 to $150 per stone at rock shows. I have seen some they were beautiful. Then we can collect more in the mine that is open to regular tours and can collect more cutting material and specimens. We will be in La Sal , using the mines owners shop for Friday, May 31, for cutting and polishing our stones. Each person will be able to cut up to 3 stones. On Saturday and Sunday I will teach a Silversmithing Class to make a project with one of the stones we find and cut. Tonopah may be as close as we can get to the mine, so we may just have to car pool from there to the mine for the two day. I will be making a list of Motels in Moab, and see if there is one in La Sal. I have never been there. You can visit the Blue Crystal Mine at:
http://bluecrystalmines.com/Blue_Crystal_Mines/Home
I am only going to take 6 students and have 3 spots left. I maybe go up to 7 if I have to make room for a spouse.
The cost of the five day classes is $900.00 per student. Spouse are not welcome to come unless they are in the class and pay the tuition. Of course they can come and stay where ever they wish, but they will not be allowed to come to the mine or any of the classes, the lapidary day, or the Silversmithing Class. There is no discounts. We are doing two days at the mine to allow for weather, and to insure that we take home a lot of material. I am guessing that we will each take home more than $1,000.00 in stones, and maybe over $2,000.00.
I will be paying a lot to use the lapidary shop for cutting and polishing our stones. This year I am only letting each student cut 3 stones. We will slice some of the best rough, then choose the best stones to back. We will only back 10 stones. Let me repeat this 10 stones. Any student that backs 11 or more will be asked to leave the class without a refund. Then we are only going to grind and polish three (3) stones. Any student that does 4 or more will be asked to leave the class. You will take the rest of the material home and finish them at home. I am only letting everyone do three so that they can choose best one for the Silversmithing Class. I am sticking to these rules to avoid any "hogging" of the equipment. I have not invited back those that were rude, so it should not be a problem.
We will make a ring or a pendant with one of the stones similar to the projects in my Beginning Silversmithing Class, because it is a Beginning Silversmithing Class. The stone will have to be kept at a reasonable size about the size of a penny, no larger. I am thinking that I will teach a two stone ring though and use two smaller stones with twisted wire around each stone. I guess I just made that decision as I am typing. Anyone wanting to cut two smaller stones and make this ring can make it their project. This is the ring that my wife as worn for more than 40 years, it is her favorite. She has worn it everyday, 24 hours a day for more than 40 years. I did have to rebuild it about 5 years ago due to wear. These two stones will have to be SMALL. I will make that determine this size as we cut stones, but it must stay about 10 x 13, but can get a little longer. We will cut free form stones as usual, so I can not give a specific size. We will make a three band ring, but I may teach some variations of this with the twisted wire, or even a solid band that we split. This will depend on the group of students and the over all abilities of the class.
Everyone should wear layered clothes to the mine, old clothes maybe even. It could be cold, it could be hot and it could be both. It is a high plains desert. The same is true for Friday's Lapidary Class. Good shoes or boots. Bring sun screen and what ever you want to eat for lunch. I will not provide lunch any more. I will have extra of my lunch meet sandwich and chips if you wish to share, but I will not bring enough for everyone. So, I would bring what you want. I will supply bottled water of my choice, so if you choosy, bring your own. I will bring ice for everyone. If you want soft drinks, bring them. If I have an RV by then you will be welcome to use the restroom. If not be prepared to use the bushes, but there may not be in bushes! I have not been to this mine so you may have to find your own private space. It has always worked out, but it is like camping for the day. Bring toilet paper. I will have some. A hat is very important, broad rimmed is even better. Good gloves are important but I have always managed to forget them and have lived with rough hands and small cuts.
I think that's it. If I missed something please let me know, and ask questions.
I am requiring a $500.00 deposit on a first come, first serve basis. I will not wait for your deposit. If interested, show me the money, as they say. This will be my last hoorah! I will have the mine tour to the Broken Arrow Mine in Nevada and then from there I will go to Anchorage to teach, and I plan on making those classes my last. Of course they say, "never, say never" but this is my plan for now.
There are two trips planned for this final trip. Here are the dates:
May 29 through June 2, Orem, Utah, Malachite/Azurite, higher elevation, about like Tonopah mine.
Beautiful stones, I have never been there. I am trusting the owner of the mine.
June 12 through June 16, Broken Arrow Mine north and west of Tonopah, Nevada. Not as high as the Tonopah mine, but about like Denver, Colorado. I have never been to this mine, but it is somewhere close to no where.
if you wish to go, get your $500.00 deposits in ASAP.
You may use any of these methods to make a payment.
Credit Cards (Master Card, Visa, Discover,)
Call me at 303-517-1068.
or
Fax: 970-586-1838
or
Email it to me using two or three emails and that makes it very safe. In the first one, give me 1/2 the number and your zip code.
In the second email give me the other half of the number and expiration date. In a third email give me the name on the card and ther three digit security code on the back of the card.
PayPal
Just "Send" money to dnorris@frii.com.
Checks
Mail checks payable to Don Norris to
Don Norris
PO Box 2433
Estes Park, CO 80517
If sending a check, email that you are do so, and I will hold your spot(s) for 10 days.
Thanks again,
Don Norris
Classes are limited to 6 or 7 studennts.
Check out this years trips below.
