The Fricot Stone yosemite trip oct 07 037
Originally uploaded by Kiki Karia.
“There’s gold in the hills of California!” These words resonated around the world in 1848 and started a massive migration to the wilderness of interior California. Gold seekers trekked from every part of the world and every walk of life to sift the streams for gold. Mining companies brought machines to the mountains and turned camps into boomtowns as they blasted and dug deep into the earth to follow the gold-bearing veins.
There is still gold in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, at the California State Mining and Mineral Museum, in historic Mariposa. And we were privileged to view these precious stones and minerals on our recent trip there. This is where explorers John C. Fremont and Kit Carson found the rich Mariposa Vein and opened the first mill to crush ore and extract gold in California. The collection, which began in 1880, contains over 13,000 objects including mining artifacts, rare specimens of crystalline gold in its many forms, as well as beautiful gem and mineral specimens from California and around the world. The collection was moved to Mariposa in 1983 after residing in San Francisco, for over 100 years. The museum became a state park in 1999.
The highlight of the museum was the Fricot “Nugget”, a rare and beautiful specimen of crystallized gold discovered in the American River in 1864. This spectacular 13.8-pound. specimen is the largest remaining intact mass of crystalline gold from 19th century California, when these finds were more common but usually were simply melted down. We also took a trip back in time as we walked through the museum’s mine tunnel which displayed how gold was mined in the mid-1800s.
As I gazed upon the many beautiful stones and gems, I thought about that scripture in Malachi 3:17 where the Lord says, “And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts in that day when I make up my jewels….” Another one that came to mind is found in Isaiah 54:11, “O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.”
These precious stones go through a period of development and forming deep within the earth, where they experience intense pressure, heat and friction. And yet look at their beauty that is produced. We are like that to God. He looks at each of us as his precious treasures. Sometimes we have to be refined and go through the fires of tribulation to burn off the impurities and become the beautiful gems that can shine and give Him glory.
Yes, touring this museum was a vivid reminder to me of how my God cares for me and is making me into a vessel of honor for His glory.
Azurite and Malachite Stone
Aquamarine
Amethyst Quartz
Great Post! I will remember this. To think that when I am going through a trial it is to bring out any impurities that might be within me. After all is said and done, to come out looking like something so refined as the beautiful stones above, WOW!
Lord just help me to endure it though while the heat is on. I definitely want to become a beautiful gem that shines for Him. I needed this post. Thanks
Jolene, I admire your courage and spunk and desire for God. When He has tried us, may we all come forth as gold.
Love & Prayers,
Karen
Great post, Keek! I found the verse you referred to in your comment above, and I like the way it is worded in the Amplified Bible.
Job 23:10
(AMP) But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]. [Ps. 17:3; 66:10; James 1:12.]
May the trials we face fulfill His purpose in bringing us forth as refined gold.