Open Every Weekend for Benitoite Screening at the Old Road Camp

We are hauling loads of material out of the mine and making available for screening

Here's your chance to come and find the California State Gemstone "Benitoite" one of the rarest and most valuable gemstones in the world!

The Mine in the mountains is closed right now

Updated: 6/19/09

Pricing:

$70 per person.

Kids 12 and under, only $20.

Discount for seniors 70 and over with proof of current Rockhound Membership from any Federation Club, 1/2 price. ($35)

No group discounts!

Pay Now - Reservations:

Bring your recept showing proof of payment.

Reservation fee is non-refundable in the event of a cancelation.

Accommodations:

We can accommodate 90 screeners. If you've paid in advance, your assured a screen.

Camping is available at Los Gatos Creek County Park, 1 1/2 miles East of the Road Camp.

Motels in the area are located at the junction of I-5 and Highway 198.

Gas, groceries, and restaurants are available in the town of Coalinga.

Don't forget to stop at one of the best small town museums in the state, Baker Museum in Coalinga, 297 West Elm Ave. They have a great Benitoite specimen on display.

For a good place to get steaks and spirits, we recommend the Mountain Oyster Saloon, located next to the R & N Market on Elm Street.

Open:

We are open only on Saturday and Sunday.

Sign-in and Demonstration Time:

9:00AM to 10:00AM.

Collecting Time:

10:00AM to 3:00PM.

Destination:

The historic old Road Camp.

48242 Los Gatos Rd. Coalinga, CA 93210.

Directions:

From the westernmost stoplight in Coalinga, head west on Polk/Jayne Ave 1 mile.

Polk/Jayne make a large sweeping turn to the right, turing into Derrick. Follow Derrick for 3 miles.

Turn left on Los Gatos Rd, continue west exactly 15 miles. Turn in just before the white buffalo on the right-hand side and your there!

Parking:

Plenty of parking in the parking lot with the white buffalo. No off road vehicles needed.

We Supply:

Screens, screening tables, buckets, water, and a quart sized ziplock bag.

We have a UV dark room to look through your washed material.

Employees will be there to assist, demonstrate, and identify your finds.

A port-a-potty is available.

You Need to Supply:

Bring clear safety glasses for the blacklight room. Bring your lunches, drinks, and lawn chairs, A pop-up shade if you need it, rubber gloves if you need them.

Rules of the Hunt:

-Stay in the immediate area between the screening pile and parking lot.
-Do not go into buildings unless permission is granted.
-You are allowed to take home your ziplock bag full of finds.
-If you find something too large for your ziplock bag and would like to purchase, we will negotiate a price.
-Kids are allowed to play freely, please keep them close.
-Pets are free. Keep them on a leash please.

Sign-In Procedure:

Park in the parking lot next to the white buffalo.

We'll start signing people in at 9:00 AM in the small cabin.

Demonstrations of the process will start shortly before 10:00 AM and screening starts at 10:00 AM.

Contact Us:

Owner: dave@calstategemmine.com

Co-Owner: jl@calstategemmine.com

Cell: (559)-284-4126

Home: (559)-935-5909

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