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January 18, 2012 ADVENTURES WITH ROCKS Gold is where you find it Quartzsite Gold Deposits By Jenn Jedidiah Free The desert is full of gold. Golden sunsets, gold poppies, gold finches, gold mines, and gold placers. In fact, one of the richest plac- er deposits in Arizona is here in the moun- tains surrounding Quartzsite. The Dome Rock Mountains to the West, the Plomosa Mountains to the East, and the Livingston Hills to the South are all full of gold mines and claims. Situated in between these mountain ranges is the LaPosa Plain crisscrossed with washes that are literally saturated with gold bearing gravel. Between the Dome Rock area and La Paz there are several working mines and nu- merous claims. The photo is of a trommel at a mine south of Dome Rock Road. But gold isn't everywhere. As the saying goes, "Gold is where you find it." So, then, where, and how, do you find it? To begin with, search areas that are known to be productive. Many times, early pros- pectors and miners mapped or journaled about the gold bearing areas they discov- ered. Some old maps and writings contain a wealth of information on productive local gold areas. Modern geology and science give us addi- tional insights into why gold is found where it is. While some things about gold deposits still baffle geologists today, for the most part we know that gold accumulates in particu- lar areas, under predictable conditions, and for specific reasons. It is in understanding these "wheres" and "whys" that a prospec- tor's chances of finding gold will increase. The two principal types of gold deposits are Lode (primary) and Placer (secondary). Lode deposits are veins of gold-bearing ores www.DesertMessenger.com in solid rock. Placer de- posits are concentrations of free gold – gold that has been "freed" from its ore body by forces of nature- and deposited in concen- trated amounts in specific places. When a gold bearing vein is exposed, natural forces erode the rock and release the gold. Once released, gold is moved by natural forces like gravity and water along a specific and relatively predictable path accumulating in particular areas along the way. Due to its weight and high specific gravity, gold has a natural tendency to get trapped in crevices and places, like behind a boulder, where the force of movement slows down enough for gold to drop out and accumulate. Because of this, gold deposits are relatively predictable within a known gold bearing area. With study and practice, the prospec- tor can learn how to "read" the terrain and understand where gold deposits would likely occur within a placer area. In addition to learning how to "read" the terrain, it is also important to get off the beaten path. Gold is here to be found, but time and effort are required to find it. Some- times that means working areas that are more remote or hard to get to rather than the easy ones where everyone else has gone. It is worth investing a little extra time and effort to make your prospecting trips more successful. And always remember to plan ahead and be prepared. This is the desert, after all. Happy Prospecting! For information and locations of placer gold deposits in and around Quartzsite, and to register to win a vial of Arizona placer gold, come to Rocks In My Head, Space A37, at Rice Ranch. We also have a great selection of gold pros- pecting books, supplies, and equipment available, as well as information on how to "read" the terrain. We are open from 10-4, 7 days a week, and online 24-7 at www.RocksInMyHead.biz. CARDIOVASCULAR DIVISION OF IMS Diagnose and Treat • chest pain • shortness of breath • leg pain • varicose veins • leg swelling • palpitations LOCATED in Palm Plaza 255 N. Central Blvd. #5 Quartzsite Cardiac Services Provided • stress testing • echocardiograms • vascular ultrasound • PAD screening • coronary angioplasty/stenting • peripheral angioplasty/stenting All testing done on-site No need to travel 928-927-6105 Art Show huge success Quartzsite Art Guild hosted another fabulous Art Show Friday and Satur- day, January 13 & 14, 2012. Over 300 attended the very popular show and sale held at the Senior Center. The event showcased local and visiting tal- ented artists which makes Quartzsite such a unique community. Dinice Ross (right) was the Best of Show winner with her painting "Chicks". Dinice also won 1st Place with the same painting of soft fluffy chicks sitting upon wooden barrels. Jo Ann McKnight (below) was the 1st Runner up with her painting of "Flying High". Joan Sonders was the grand win- ner of the $50 coin raffle drawing. Food Bank needs donations Quartzsite food Tues. & Thurs. 8-noon. North of Senior Center, on Moon Mt. Rd. Drop off $$ and canned Full Service Cardiovascular Office in Quartzsite! Page 41