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
Colin Martin at the mines
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!
Great E-Books!
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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New YouTube Plexo
Great Stuff on Amazon
Guide Gear® Extreme Cargo River Shorts
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
Leatherman 830039 New Wave Multitool with Leather Sheath
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 07/26/2008)
Wenzel Ponderosa 10- by 8-Foot Four-Person Two-Room Tent
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 07/26/2008)
Smith & Wesson Galaxy 13 LED Flashlight (10 White LED & 3 Red LED)
Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 07/26/2008)
Other Great Lenses!
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Sweet Honeymoons
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The Honeymoon. That pot of golden sand at the end of the rainbow. The trip you've planned and looked forward to for months, and after the rigors of planning a wedding, the trip you and you new spouse wholeheartedly deserve. If you plan your honeymoon...
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Spicy Sun!
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A warm caribbean air is blowing across the water..... Sitting back with your toes in the sand you hear only the melodic crashing of crystal clear blue-green waves. As the island sun is caressing your skin with warmth......you...
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Jewelry Trends 2008
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This lens is a place to get together and discuss jewelry, retailing, trends, imports, and anything about jewels! As the season cools down, the jewelry colors are heating up!! We all expect to see warm tones in jewelry designs as the...
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Creating Your Reality
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Have you ever woken up feeling a certain way about the day......perhaps your stressed and feeling very anxious and negative. Your having "one of those days" and your neighbor or friend wakes up and thinks to himself, "this is the best...
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Famous Eulogies in History
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Eulogy Speeches. We are here today to pay our last respects. Is the thought of giving a eulogy adding additional weight to the emotional load you are already carrying? Whether you’re a good friend, coworker, spouse, or a relative of...
Cool Calendars from Calendars.com
New Guestbook
good job dad
Posted September 19, 2007
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Forgiven
5 Stars lens! Please visit my faithography lens when you get time and rate it if you would. Posted August 20, 2007 |
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tiffanysmith
Hey there Colin! Great lens! Posted August 02, 2007 |
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tiffanysmith
Great lens, Colin! Can't wait to see more! Visit my lens, Proposal Tips! Thanks! Posted July 31, 2007 |
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Lady_Gotrocks
Great Rock hounding Lens! We have added you to the Gems of the World group. Posted July 08, 2007 |
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Tom_Antion
Hey Colin. Great lens! Please visit my Internet marketing site. Thanks! Posted July 06, 2007 |








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