If you get a chance, check out the Cash and Treasures program on the travel channel for lies, lies, lies. Would it make my field collecting videos better if I held up a cracked agate and proclaimed, "fifty thousand dollars"? I'll be Tivoing the series and doing a step by step guide to lies lies lies of "Best places to find cash and treasures" on The-Vug coming shortly. My favorite from the sapphire episode...she takes and sifts a salted bag of rough, pulls out two "largeish" stones, has them heat treated and cut. Then a Gemologist looks at them, says "IF we mounted these two sapphires in 14k gold earring settings and sold them in our retail space (san Francisco, land of skyhigh costs for real estate), they would sell for around $600.00. (he was a VERY honest gemologist!) Then, she holds up the two stones and proclaimes, $600.00 for these two little stones! WOW! Of course, let's see. $600.00 targeted sale price, if they were mounted and sold in a high end jewelry gallery. It cost her $25.00 for the bag of salted rough. Then, the cost of heat treatment and cutting. They did a great job cutting them! Bet that would have cost a pretty penny! Then, she didn't even account for the setting, which would be around $40.00. All around, at the very least she would have spent over $100.00 to get the stones and processed. Then, she would have to try and sell the earrings. Funny how that all got left out of the rational when she held up the two stones and proclaimed them to be worth $600.00. This show would be good if they left out the fake dollar amounts. But basically, this program skirts the fields of markerting ploys and frauds. Collecting minerals in the field is a LOT of fun. But people being motivated to find minerals because of an inflated sense of worth... The last season was full of this inflated worth hype and this season looks like more of the same. I wish they would clean up their act!!! Justin http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,54203#msg-54203 Thu, 23 May 2013 08:02:12 +0000 Phorum 5.2.15a http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,260074#msg-260074 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,260074#msg-260074 gary moldovany Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Mon, 07 May 2012 00:17:29 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,260043#msg-260043 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,260043#msg-260043
Take a look at the last comment. Was it OVER TWO YEARS AGO?

Well then, if it was, take a look at what you want to post. Does it add anything NEW to the conversation? Does it warrant taking a dead horse and beating it some more?

Anyway, nice to see this tired old thread being reactivated. The show was canceled, I do not see reruns of it and people are now safe from the greed and gateways to injury supplied by this show.]]> Justin Zzyzx Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Sun, 06 May 2012 18:06:03 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,259507#msg-259507 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,259507#msg-259507 John Kirtz Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:20:44 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,259491#msg-259491 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,259491#msg-259491 Franklin 4 Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:55:56 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141415#msg-141415 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141415#msg-141415 Rock Currier Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:28:37 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141369#msg-141369 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141369#msg-141369
Remembering how much I loved my childhood experience, I took my family to a sapphire mine in the Helena area last summer. The one we went to required us to buy a bag of 'concentrate' but then we could drive up to an actual dig site on the hill and mine our own gravel for a nominal fee. A year later we still haven't bothered doing anything with the concentrate, but we did mine two 5 gal buckets of sieved gravel and found a number of light blue sapphires when we washed the material there. I think most people are happy with just going through the concentrate (and many of them probably wouldn't care even if it was spiked with foreign material, as long as they were told); but for me it was all about the 'finding it myself' experience. I wonder if anybody in NC still honestly provides that experience. Maybe plumgold can let us know.]]> Brian Thurston Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:09:41 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141350#msg-141350 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141350#msg-141350 Alfredo Petrov Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:27:33 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141270#msg-141270 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141270#msg-141270
To compare someone who has come voluntarily here without prompting to help expose the fraud they were involved with previously is very, very, different to what happened with the diamond fraud guy - who simply got caught and still denied everything.

Plumgold was certainly involved in a nasty fraud but the fact that he's here now exposing how it works has to be a point in his favour.

Jolyon]]> Jolyon & Katya Ralph Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:35:57 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141245#msg-141245 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141245#msg-141245 At least his use of a pseudonym, "Plumgold", rather than his real name, might indicate a sense of guilt, so a little step in the right direction.]]> Alfredo Petrov Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:24:32 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141201#msg-141201 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141201#msg-141201
Frankly, I think people like you should be put in jail.

The never-ending swindling of gullible people by the gem trade is a constant source of puzzlement. I do not get why companies like the shopping channel and the fake gem mining tourist traps are not investigated, charged, and convicted of fraud.

If I sell you a Mercedes that is actually a Chevy, that's a crime. I sell you lab-grown or dyed quartz as a genuine gem, with a made-up name, for a massive markup, and that's perfectly kosher. Puzzling indeed.

If the public had the slightest clue as to how badly they're getting ripped off by the gem trade they'd rend you limb from limb.

Nice business, hope you enjoyed your profits. If your conscience ever gets to you, you should add up how much you made and donate it to a good charity.]]> Tim Jokela Jr Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:06:24 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141104#msg-141104 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141104#msg-141104
#1 "Who's to say?"
I guess I'm one to say, lying to a person is wrong, and for profit makes it worse.

#2 "we all have to make a living and the pay was great"
Sounds more like you were making a killing, than a living.

I make quality, custom jewelery at an affordable price.
I take pride in my work, and reputation.
You can twist it any way you like, It's dishonest.

Adam Kelly]]> Adam Kelly Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:20:51 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141006#msg-141006 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,141006#msg-141006 Ian Merkel Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:36:44 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,140993#msg-140993 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,140993#msg-140993 plumgold Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:07:40 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,140257#msg-140257 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,140257#msg-140257 AK]]> Adam Kelly Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:02:27 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,140091#msg-140091 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,140091#msg-140091
Hos much is a kiss worth from your beloved one when you wake up. one dollar, 25 cent, 50 dollar......
How much is it worth to feel the wind in your hair, the sunrays warming you, hear the bird sing......

To people with good connections to their own sences and heart, the most precious in life has no price and is way to precious to evaluate in currency. How much would you sell your mother for, your child.

We all know, that sadly enough there are such people selling anything, or anyone for money.......and sadly it always will be as long as we allow this primitive behaviour.

I just spent ten days in mines in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Most mines are now closed down since very sadly the environmental people in Brazil seem not to haver a clue about the difference between pegmatite gem mines, which has nothing to do with the harm the environment from sulphide deposits, heap leaching with cyanid for gold etc. How can that be.

How much are some small geologically interesting samples worth.
Nothing in dollars but with the knowledge of exactly where they came from in a vein, some analyses and plenty of work they have some scinentific value.

For anyone with some insight into the mineral specimen mining business, it can only be done by extremely interested and motivated people, who are interested in the science, not in the money. As Jesse pointed out, a lot of invested time and knowledge, besides plenty of money for equipment, liceses etc, will give you plenty of fun, a lot of hard work, and MAYBE your expenses back, VERY MAYBE, and that is NOT counting your time.]]> Peter Lyckberg Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:40:14 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,140080#msg-140080 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,140080#msg-140080
Stop reading the thread if it bothers you so much! No one is making you read this thead, it's just Justin being Justin. Quit your bitchin and read something else.

Jolyon]]> Jolyon & Katya Ralph Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:36:14 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,140072#msg-140072 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,140072#msg-140072
Stop watching the show if it bothers you so much! No one is making you watch this show. It's just entertainment. Quit your bitchin and watch something else.

Sqwa]]> sqwa Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:16:24 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,101911#msg-101911 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,101911#msg-101911 Devine Design Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:04:40 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,98626#msg-98626 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,98626#msg-98626
What I really want to know is WHERE THE HELL IS OSHA WHEN YOU NEED THEM? I hope that the OSHA people have been watching this show. Next time I go for my 40 Hr. OSHA refresher I hope that I hear that someone from this governmental organization has contacted this show and most of the places she/it has been or will visit in the future.

The no safety factor on these shows will do more damage to the hobby her.

Downeast]]> Brian Gray Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Mon, 26 May 2008 23:57:39 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,97801#msg-97801 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,97801#msg-97801
Those stupid NC places are just salted junk for the most part. North Carolina "gem mines" are tourist traps.

Wallace, keep on field collecting!, but maybe get some of those North Carolina field guides for a better experience. Emeralds and Hiddenites are for the owners and those with backhoes!

I've found a new inner tranquility now that I don't subject myself to watching this god forsaken program anymore. Serenity Now!]]> Justin Zzyzx Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Sat, 17 May 2008 04:46:24 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,97792#msg-97792 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,97792#msg-97792
Sounds like it was a real cheap deal anyway - perhaps next time take more notice of the weather reports before you head out. Or pay one day at a time.

Jolyon]]> Jolyon & Katya Ralph Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Sat, 17 May 2008 00:35:57 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,97787#msg-97787 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,97787#msg-97787 wallace Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Fri, 16 May 2008 22:10:35 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85971#msg-85971 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85971#msg-85971 [www.museum.mtu.edu]]]> David Von Bargen Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:21:47 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85969#msg-85969 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85969#msg-85969 Dessa Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:12:29 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85558#msg-85558 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85558#msg-85558 Wayne Gilmore Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:08:04 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85557#msg-85557 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85557#msg-85557
On television, loud voices and sensationalism prevail. Keep in mind America has become a country of couch potatoes who need to be awakened from their TV induced slumber and then, to get their attention, need to be screamed at and entertained by a twenty something who knows little about the topic.

Recently, I saw a program called the "Top 25 Places to See". Every commentator who appeared on screen was a twenty something who could never have travelled to all the locations featured. I found it to be quite annoying, Many of these programs are produced by independent companies who are not held accountable for accuracy.

On "Cash and Treasures", which I found entertaining and informative, I was shocked when she got into the bucket of the front end loader and was lowered into the pit. Cable TV is loaded with stunts like hers and seems to be directed toward people who need a "rush".

Either way, most of what we see on TV is what it is: edited and blown out of proportion.

I don't lose sleep over something I can not change or control. I simply turn off the TV and look at my minerals or browse Mindat and the web.]]> Joseph Polityka Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:48:54 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85548#msg-85548 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85548#msg-85548
Actually, your quote most closely resembles that of Elsa Maxwell:

"No one ever went broke in Hollywood underestimating the intelligence of the public."

And H. L. Mencken said something similar:
"No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public."

The American people have their circuses. Now if they could only afford bread.]]> Ray Ladbury Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:17:14 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85542#msg-85542 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85542#msg-85542 brad newport Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:20:02 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85497#msg-85497 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85497#msg-85497 Don Saathoff Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:41:09 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85496#msg-85496 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,55,54203,85496#msg-85496
I don't think anyone questioned the authenticity of the Petrified Wood episode. What concerned us is that one big no no was put into action, filmed and then PUT ON NATIONAL TV as if it was a GOOD THNG TO DO. I'm sure that you know better than to dig over your head, but in the part before they get to your ranch they dig into a dirt and rock filled wall, over the top of their heads, even having to dodge falling rocks and dirt because of this. It might seem cute to someone who doesn't know better, but as most any rockhound worth their salt knows, you don't dig overhead. It only takes a small falling rock to crack you on the head and make the rest of your life the least fun in the world. Or, getting covered up by dirt, might sound like nothing, but what happens is the force of the dirt falling on top of you pushes the air out of your lungs and you breath back in dirt, which doesn't look nearly as heavy as it actually is. Might sound like a long shot, yet I can think of one person who is dead because of just this very scenerio, out on a field trip and without the common sense to not follow this rule.

Your ranch looks like fun though. I didn't see any overhead digging there!]]> Justin Zzyzx Fakes, Frauds and Marketing Ploys Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:27:26 +0000