Canadian Rockhound: Field Guide to Gold, Gemstones & Mineral Sites of BC, Vol. 2.

This volume, released in spring, is a continuation of the field guide series authored by Dr. Rick Hudson and published by Orca Book Publishers. Rick's first volume, published in 1997, introduced rockhounds to the many collecting sites found on British Columbia's Vancouver Island. A review of the first volume was published in the Summer 1998 issue of the Canadian Rockhound.

Book cover
Front Cover

The second volume focuses on the gold, gemstone and minerals sites located within a day's drive of Vancouver. More than 250 sites are listed in a single chapter and all are grouped by local area. The areas covered include the Greater Vancouver area, Georgia Strait, Howe Sound-Whistler Valley, Fraser Valley, Fraser River, Thompson River, Cariboo Country, Lillooet area, Upper Bridge River, Hope vicinity, Merritt vicinity, Princeton, and Coalmont-Tulameen. This organization makes it easy to plan a collecting trip to a particular area within southwestern British Columbia. For example, the section on Howe Sound-Whistler Valley lists sites within the Howe Sound, Whistler, Anderson Lake, and Lillooet Lake areas. Area descriptions provide the reader a better understanding of the overall significance of the area. Many areas listed are accompanied by maps and site drawings, which show more detail than in the previous volume. For example, topographic outlines, scale bars and the status of each prospecting locality help provide more information on the terrain, distances and prospects within an area. Roads and creeks are more clearly marked.

The format for site descriptions is the same as that in the previous volume. The reader is made aware of interesting or important features, and what is found at each site. Most site descriptions include a MINFILE number, which you can use to obtain more information about a site. MINFILE is a database system developed by the Geological Survey Branch of British Columbia. It lists most of the mineral sites in the province. You can use MINFILE on the internet and the service is free.

Rockhounds who purchased the first volume will notice the second volume has the same chapters and similar content. Geology, prospecting history and techniques, access rights, rock and mineral identification, gold, fossils and other materials found in British Columbia are discussed. However, the second volume introduces new material. In addition to the list of prospecting sites, there is a section on the geological history of southwestern British Columbia. Some of the chapters have been revised. The chapter on gemstones and minerals now lists new minerals, such as diamond, quartz, natrolite and nephrite, and the descriptions for some minerals, such as garnet and jade, have been expanded.

The glossary in the second volume now includes a partial list of minerals found in British Columbia. However, the list is not cross-referenced with any of the sites listed. A separate mineral species index with cross-references to localities would have been of great help to collectors like myself. The bibliography is another revised section. Publications are now sorted by author instead of by title.

Rockhounds interested in joining a local mineral club will be pleased with the second volume. A list of clubs operating in British Columbia is provided. Mailing address, and where possible meeting times and locations, are available each club.

The second volume includes colour photographs of various rocks and minerals, such as gold, pyrite, garnet, jade, and agate. There are also several photographs of interesting rock outcrops southwestern British Columbia. However, some of the specimens could have been photographed with more light to better reveal crystallisation, colour and other details.

Overall, I was pleased with the second volume. The book will be used by many clubs and rockhounds in the Vancouver area. Even if you don't live in B.C., like myself, you will still find both volumes by Rick Hudson of great interest, especially if you visit B.C. during summer vacation. Volume 2 is now available and costs $19.95 Canadian, $16.95 US.

In recent years Canadian rockhounds have witnessed a noticeable decline in the number of field guides to collecting in Canada. One is hard pressed these days to find publications listing Canadian mineral, fossil and gemstone localities. As a result, rockhounds must rely on older publications, or they must rely on the memory of other rockhounds. The appearance of Rick Hudson's series on British Columbia's gold, gemstone and mineral sites is both welcome and timely. It is hoped that more people like Rick will write new books and field guides documenting Canada's mineral, fossil and gemstone localities, and attract a new generation of rockhounds and prospectors.

Reference

Hudson, R. 1999. A Field Guide to Gold, Gemstones & Mineral Sites of British Columbia, Volume II: Sites Within a Day's Drive of Vancouver. Orca Book Publishers.

Orca Book Publishers:
Tel: (250) 380-1229
Fax: (250) 380-1892
1-800-210-5277
P.O. Box 5626, Station B
Victoria, BC V8R 6S4,
Canada

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