6/27/2017

Crystal Mining Gear Musts

So you want to find your own crystals?

To be the first person to EVER touch them?

Then this is the list for you to get you started on the musts. A compilation formed through my own downfalls and experiences.

You won’t have to have bloody hands, a sunburn from hell, dehydration, and tears from not being able to move the best find of your life.

1. Industrial 5 Gallon Buckets(at least 2)

Possibly one of the most important things you could bring with you. You need to have somewhere to place your crystals and this guy will hold it all for you. The one I listed here is especially nice because the rope handle is SO much better than the crappy plastic handles from other places that break with a lot of weight (plus is feels much better on your hands when it’s super heavy).

2. Wagon (You’ll thank me later)

I honestly used my childhood wagon (you should have seen me racing around with it out on the field it was great). Anything on wheels basically that can hold weight will do. But it is definitely VERY useful when you find a massive find (and lord knows you aren’t carrying that 75 pound cluster down the hills by yourself unless you’re super strong of course). So instead of crying because you can’t take home the mother crystal because it weighs too much, get yourself a wagon (this almost happened to me last year luckily I had 3 helping hands with me to move the thing). Bonus points, also used while moving camping supplies at the campground.

3. Gloves (Gardening gloves will work, or riding gloves)

Absolutely necessary. Every once and awhile I take off my gloves because I want to “feel” for the crystals in the mud… buuuuuut that often leads to my hands bleeding all over the place. So preferably no bleeding (I used the mud as a bandage in a pinch but I’m sure most would rather not. These gloves I picked out here are super awesome because you can actually DIG with your fingertips! Super cool stuff.

4. Toothbrush (To clean off crystals with afterwards)

It’s a funny story how this ended up being a must. I was washing my crystals in the creek by our campground with my hands, frustrated with how my (already destroyed) fingers couldn’t get into all the crevices to clean out the mud, and an elderly man in a chair by the creek saw me struggling. He came over and gave me an extra toothbrush of his and told me “this might help you a bit more”. Hope in humanity was restored and now I never clean my crystals without one! It’s gentle enough not to damage the crystal, and get into all those impossible places.

5. Umbrella (optional but highly useful)

When I was at Sweet Surrender Crystal Mine they demanded I use one of their beach umbrellas because I was burning up in the sun in one spot (8 hours total). Once I stopped obsessing over the hole I was digging into I got up and brought it over I realized how amazing it was to have! Me being so stubborn I prayed that my sunblock would hold up and that that would be enough… but nope an umbrella makes a miner feel 1000 times better. Luxury baby. Becky thank you for making me get over my stubbornness. Unfortunately not all mines are as generous, bring your own. The one I have in the link is simple and cheap, no need for fancy in the dirt.

6. Tough Water Shoes (It gets muddy & VERY dirty)

You will need these. Sure old sneakers will work in a pinch.. but they don’t dry as fast and breathe nearly as well (smelly feet). And if you are planning on mining more than one day then this most definitely is a must.

7. An Insulated Water Bottle (or just a gallon jug of water will work too, but cold is always nice)

My favorite travel and everyday accessory in general. I realized I had been camping too much when I started carrying this bad boy around with me literally everywhere. I even have a carrying case for it that I wear on my shoulder at all times so I don’t have to keep carrying the thing around with my hands everywhere. I love this brand and I highly recommend them, been using them for over a year. Hydration is always a good thing especially… ya know… when your mining in the middle of the day, in the middle of summer, directly in the sun. There’s nothing fun about a heat stroke/dehydration. Get the liter size, fill it with lots of ice and it will serve you as the nectar of the gods while you’re elbows deep in mud.

8. Large Hat (Preferably one that covers your neck and shoulders, baseball caps are OK)

Keeps the sun out of your eyes, and protects you from some serious sunburn. I only had a baseball cap and suffered the consequences (see picture below). But my face didn’t burn (which always seems to happen to me). So yes, hats everyone, hats.

9. Large Towel (Think Old & Stained)

Because after a long day of mining in dirt you will be dirty. And if you’re not then you’re probably not doing it right. Anywhos you’re not going to want to get your car dirty after this endeavor, so make sure you cover yourself with this afterwards. I know some people change their clothes before getting in their car (which is smart), however most mining places I’ve been to didn’t really have anywhere you could do this without being sketchy in a bush or a gross port-o-potty. So I take the towel option.

10. SPF 50 Sunblock (absolutely necessary)

I didn’t wear this on my first day mining because I got too excited to just rush out onto the field… my mistake. And unfortunately my skin took a hit for this. I’m from Florida so I have a decent base tan to work with, or so I thought. Even my knees got sunburned! I never experienced that before in my life. So yeah load on up with the SPF. The one I linked for you here is the good stuff without all the bad chemicals, it is a bit greasy but it’s worth it.

I wore sunblock AND wore a baseball hat, this was the result. What a lovely tan ha! But seriously though your skin matters, sunblock!

Honorable Mentions:

Bring a cooler with you. Trust me you are going to want to have cold drink and food. One of the best things ever.
Have your trunk cleared and ready to go to place the finds.
HAVE LOTION IN YOUR CAR WHEN YOU’RE DONE. I hate the feeling of super dry hands, this was by far a must for me.

Have any other things you think are a must for mining that I left out? Let me know in the comments below!