We both fell in love with gem stones when my husband retired. We joined a local Gem Club and were delighted to hear about plans for a weekend outing to Kimberley, including an agate hunt.
Kimberley is about 500km from here, and we set off in high spirits. Arrived safely and unpacked just in time for the barbecue sitting around a camp fire is always a pleasure and we asked lots of questions about the agate hunt, and the answers were: go in groups with those who have been there before and watch and learn. Yes, we did have permission from the land owner.
The next morning we set off early, along dirt roads. The scenery was winter grass, lots of rocks of various sizes, from football sized to enormous rock crags.
We arrived in what seemed the middle of nowhere, parked and collected our gear, sun hats,
tools, water bottle and a bag to carry our agates in (think positive). We followed one of the experts, and he took the time to show us what to look for, how to crack them open also the
surroundings. We found 10 agates of our own, each one more exciting than the last, and yes we did find some rocks that were just rocks, but of what fun.
That afternoon the experts set up tables with some of their goods on sale. We bought a few pieces, including one Beryl chunk, had to have that one as it is my name.
Two very tired, but very happy people got home the following day.
