Double Eagle Mining Co
If you have ever wondered how someone became a gemstone miner, the only thing you might consistently learn through their answers is that there is no one path to such a unique career. For John and Debbie Aldrich of Double Eagle Mining Company, the path grew out of a life changing event.
Few might guess that the striking figure of John wearing his overalls, with revolver strapped to his side, witnessed the rise of Silicon Valley. Working as a Production Supervisor for a research and development company, John saw the transformation of the personal computing industry which led from room sized beasts to the small laptop computer used to write this piece. Through the late 80’s and into the early 90’s, John saw the world change, and was even a beta tester for the first versions of a small operating system called “Windows”.
With a degree in electronics, John eventually said goodbye to Silicon Valley and began work on electrical systems in diesel engines. While working in that capacity, John sustained a debilitating back injury that required several surgeries. Over five years passed, and in those long days of recovery, John discovered the art of faceting. What began as a hobby grew into a passion, as many faceters would tell you. After reading about Oregon Sunstone, John found some rough to facet and soon fell in love with the material.
John and his wife Debbie decided to leave their home in California and they followed the trail of sunstone rough 400 miles north to Lakeview, Oregon. After being shown around the area by local rock hounds and learning the ins and outs of mining from established members of the Plush community, the Aldrich’s purchased the claims which today comprise Double Eagle Mining Company. Now entering their fifth season, Double Eagle offers fee digging from around Memorial Day through September. Most recently DEM has been mining the extremely rare teal blue sunstone from their Double Eagle 16 claim.
When asked what their biggest find has been, John describes a 297 carat hunk of rough which displays a red core, loaded with the schiller so unique to Oregon Sunstone. Just edging that one out though is a monster he and wife Debbie have nicknamed “Dragon”, a 298 carat bi-color piece of sunstone rough, the shape of which resembles a dragon’s head and shoulders.
The miner’s favorite cut? When it comes to sunstone, John is a fan of rounds and trillions, but his favorite is the radiant cut, which as with diamonds provides the scintillation that does justice to a stone which has become a part of John and Debbie’s lives.
To learn more about Double Eagle Mining Co., confirm fee digging dates or see the beautiful stones coming from Double Eagle 16, visit them online:
Double Eagle Mining
