Colin Martin

Colin Martin was born in Pocatello, Idaho, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Thanks to his Mom, Carol, he had a strong interest in rocks since he was very young and started a small collection. Colin took numerous trips to the mountains, creeks, and gem mines of the Maryland region where he grew up, on the weekends during grade school. Moving to Virginia Beach, VA, in 1978, he graduated Kempsville High school and went into a career of glassblowing and art. He traveled the East coast each week attending art and craft shows to display and sell his wares. You can still see Colin at major festivals and fairs selling his unique blend of glass, gems, stones, and gold and silver wire art.

Colin attended Business school at Tidewater Community College in Va. Beach, then moved on to Old Dominion University for Earth Sciences and Geology majors. He attended the Gemological Institute of America and received the Diamonds Diploma. Colin is a member of numerous rockhunting, cave exploring, and jeweler organizations in the Virginia region. He owns a company, Beach Gems, and runs several web-based businesses. Colin has one child, his name is Cody.

Read about Colin's new book,"Your Life Is The Canvas" and how you too can change your core beliefs about yourself and pave the way for change in your relationships, career and life!
Visit:
Reality Creation

Rockstar the Gemhunter

Traveling the U.S. for the best in gemhunting

Colin travels all over the United States in search of great gemhunting adventures. He shares those treasures and stories with all his friends through his website Rockstar the Gemhunter. Even as a small lad (see photo,right) he had a sense of bold adventure and a love to climb. He loves to share his stories with children and adults at fairs, school assemblies, career days, and gem shows. You can meet Colin at events listed on his website calendar of shows.
For great information about gems, rocks, and minerals...
Click here!

Rockhounding

Friends at a gem dig

Going rockhunting crazy

From Morefield Gem Mine

Emeralds from North Carolina by Jake Slagle

Emeralds from NC

Trilobite from Wardensville, WV

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Colin Martin at the mines

Kids gem hunting at Morefield mine

Colin at Morefield gem mine.

Entrance to mine shaft

Gemstones from Morefield mine

Girl with citrine from Morefield mine

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Gem Of The Week

This week: Benitoite!

Benitoite is a rare blue silicate mineral, found in hydrothermally altered serpentinite. Benitoite fluoresces under short wave ultraviolet light, appearing light blue in color. Dr. Louderback, who conducted the discovery examination of this mineral, named it Benitoite, "as it occurs near the head waters of the San Benito River in San Benito County," California.

Benitoite's rarity makes it a minor ore for barium or titanium at best. Rather, benitoite's main uses are as collector's specimens, especially in specimens which show off this mineral's unique crystals, or specimens in which benitoite occurs with its commonly associated minerals. Benitoite's hardness also makes it suitable for use as a gemstone, though the general lack of usable material has limited this use.

Benitoite typically occurs with an unusual set of minerals, along with minerals that make up its host rock. Frequently associated minerals include:

natrolite Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O
neptunite KNa2Li(Fe, Mn)2Ti2Si8O24
joaquinite NaBa2FeCe2(Ti, Nb)2(SiO3)8(OH, F) · 1H2O
serpentine (Mg, Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4
albite NaAlSi3O8

Blue Benitoite Crystals on white natrolite, Dallas Gem Mine, San Benito Co., California, USABenitoite is a rare mineral, found in very few locations, most prominently in southern San Benito County, California, but also in Japan and Arkansas. In the San Benito occurrence it is found in natrolite veins within glaucophane schist within a serpentinite body. In Japan it occurs in a magnesio-riebeckite-quartz-phlogopite-albite dike cutting a serpentinite body. Benitoite is typically found with some combination of natrolite, joaquinite, and neptunite on a greenish-grey serpentinite base. Finally, benitoite's fluorescence is used for identification purposes.

Colin's Businesses

As the owner of Beach Gems, Colin helps people find, appraise, and take care of the gems and jewelry they need. Beach Gems includes Beach gem lab, "Stone'd" jewelry store, and Rockstar! the gemhunter website. Look for his soon to be released e-book "Rockhounding in Virginia: a guide to little known gemhunting locations in VA."
Visit Colin's websites for information if you need help.
Phone: 757 839 0585

E-mail:rockstar@winning.com

BLOG!

Ohm - lofi cardboard sampler
Jet turbine robot
Remote-controlled vibrobot
rulers + tape +books = Rule Organ
Entire art show of cable paintings

Great E-Books!

Explore these great e-books about treasure hunting, camping, horseback riding and others.
Click here to read all about it.

Click on this pic for great e- books.

Rockhunting stuff on Amazon

Gemstone Forecaster

Amazon Price: $49.00 (as of 07/26/2008)

Natural Science Smithsonian Rock and Gem Dig - 03265

Amazon Price: $15.95 (as of 07/26/2008)

Gem Hunter

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

Colin's Links

Robert James - Gemologist: Lots of free and fun info on gemology
Gemological Institute of America: The foremost authority on gemology
Beach Gems: Find an appraisal and info on your valuable jewelry
Your Life Is The Canvas!: Let Colin show you how to change your core beliefs and live the life you've always wanted!

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