It is currently off limits, reportedly due to overzealous digging by someone entrusted with limited collecting priveleges.Ī few miles away in a San Jose park a similar Guadalupe orbicular jasper was once found. There is a second source in the valley around Morgan Hill, on city or county property. Personally, I always rejoice when I see property owners exercising their property rights. Google Earth it / map it / but please leave the owners alone. I hesitate to reveal the location because the new owners say they want nothing to do with rockhounding, but for historical purposes only here are the GPS coordinates:Ĭoordinates of the buried treasure: 37.1141398733N 121.669474918WĬoordinates of house: 37.1135223706N 121.663533787WĬoordinates of turnoff from main road (De Witt Av.): 37.1133271948N 121.661480379W I was happy as a pig in mud, or in iron-rich, red earth, anyway. In any case, it was quite an adventure to see this local treasure in situ and dig there in the last few weeks before the close. If approached correctly by responsible local G&M clubs, they may change their minds (at some point) and allow limited digging that will supplement their income. The owners will most likely confine planting to the valley and lower hills, leaving the jasper untouched. It consists of over 45 feet of inlaid and polished poppy jasper rock. Those familiar with the site know that it is high on a steep hill. bar made of poppy jasper, a type of quartz found only in and around Morgan Hill. The new owners want to plant an olive orchard. If there is any good news in the recent closing it is that there will be NO CONDOS built on the site. Knowing they would soon sell their home, the owners took advantage of the extra income stream. If you notice a recent abundance of poppy jasper on the market (I have seen bowling ball-sized boulders at a few shows) it is because the site was opened to fee-digging for the last year or so. For years this one site has supplied gem rough for lapidaries throughout the nation and beyond. Finally, exploratory holes were dug until two reliable veins were found just feet from one another. When that had all been removed rockhounds attacked outcrops with gads, prybars, and sledges hoping to find jasper in the host rock. Back then, the jasper could be collected as float material. Also, three collectors from the Monterey / Carmel area.) was hill climbing near his Morgan Hill home, South of San Jose, California and noticed some pretty, red rocks. Around forty years ago a young, local boy named Martin Kramer (That's Martin in the photo, characteristically swinging a pick. The location is private, residential property and past owners were understandably protective of their treasure. With each cut exposing a succession of unexpected patterns I have often been surprised by my finished gems, (though I would always say, "Yep, that's the look I was going for.")įew people knew exactly where it came from, and fewer still were permitted access. What rockhound is not acquainted with the red and yellow flowers, orbs, and poppies in this highly sought after cutting material? We have all 'ooohed and aaahed' viewing the slabs and cabs at gem shows. The new owners show no interest in the mineral deposit and reportedly will be filling in and abandoning the site. The Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper property cleared escrow and is now off limits to the public. Our Privacy Policy.Thursday, May 14th, 2009 quietly marked the end of an era. Material on our new website: Ĭopyright by ColorWright - All Rights Reserved. Items marked sold may still be available there. Home Beads Books Fossils Cabbing & Carving Rough Cabochons Faceting Accessories Faceting Rough Jewelry & Pendants Lapidary Machines Rock Saws Selenite Shungite Slabs Spheres & Polished Stones Tumblers Turquoise Rough Gift Ideas Cabochons Gallery 13: Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper, Poppy Jasper Cabochons ColorWright
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