• Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • RSS
0 Items
Silver Hills Gems
  • Home
    • Cookie Policy (ZA)
  • Findings
    • Bails & Pendants
      • Bails
      • Charms
      • Pendants
    • Beads
      • Acrylic Beads
      • Bead cap
      • Bead tip
      • Metal Beads
      • Roundels
      • Tubes
    • Chain & Strings
      • Beading Wire
      • Chains
      • Strings
    • Clasps & Jumprings
      • Cable thimble
      • Clasps
      • Crimps
      • Jumprings
      • Tags
    • Earrings & Headpins
      • Earring components
      • Head & Eye Pins
    • Spacers & Others
      • Bezel
      • Keyrings
      • Spacers
  • Bead strings
    • Chip Strings
    • Gemstones
    • Glass
    • Shell
    • Bead strings
  • Pearl Strings
    • Freshwater pearl strings
    • Shell pearls
    • Pearl Strings
  • Jewellery
    • Bracelet
    • Earrings
    • Necklaces
    • Pendants
    • Rings
    • Sets
    • Jewellery
  • Beads
    • Acrylic beads
    • Loose beads
    • Swarovski components
    • Beads
  • Rocks
    • Fossils
    • Gems
    • Geode
    • Polished rocks
    • Rough rocks
    • Specimens
  • Other
    • Books
    • Gift items
    • Globes
    • Hotfix rhinestone
    • Lamps
    • Packaging materials
    • Tools
    • Other
  • Birthstones
    • January : Garnet
    • February : Amethyst
    • March : Aquamarine
    • April : Diamond or Crystal
    • May : Emerald
    • June : Pearl, moonstone
    • July : Ruby
    • August : Peridot
    • September : Sapphire
    • October : Opal, tourmaline
    • November : Citrine or topaz
    • December : Tanzanite, blue topaz and turquoise
  • My account
  • Cart
Select Page
Home / Default Category / Rocks / Specimens

Specimens

Showing 1–21 of 347 resultsSorted by latest

  • Pyrite crystal cluster, Thabazimbi, 6.6cm

    Pyrite crystal cluster, Thabazimbi, 6.6cm

    R900.00
  • Pyrite crystal cluster, Kalahari Manganese Field, 8.8cm

    Pyrite crystal cluster, Kalahari Manganese Field, 8.8cm

    R1,400.00
  • Pyrite crystal cluster, Kalahari Manganese Field, 5.6cm

    Pyrite crystal cluster, Kalahari Manganese Field, 5.6cm

    R480.00
  • Pyrite crystal cluster, Peru, 4.6cm

    Pyrite crystal cluster, Peru, 4.6cm

    R220.00
  • Pyrite crystal cluster, Peru, 3cm

    Pyrite crystal cluster, Peru, 3cm

    R198.00
  • Double terminated quartz cluster, Goboboseb, 3.6cm

    Double terminated quartz cluster, Goboboseb, 3.6cm

    R195.00
  • Flat DT quartz, Musina, 7.7cm

    Flat DT quartz, Musina, 7.7cm

    R60.00
  • Fossilized “floor plan” of an extinct squid-like animal, – Namibia, 10.5cm

    Fossilized “floor plan” of an extinct squid-like animal, – Namibia, 10.5cm

    R390.00
  • Ammonite – Namibia, 8.5cm

    Ammonite – Namibia, 8.5cm

    R390.00
  • Fossil Devil’s Toenail Oyster – Namibia, 7.7cm

    Fossil Devil’s Toenail Oyster – Namibia, 7.7cm

    R650.00
  • Quartz crystal cluster from Ceres. 3.9cm

    Quartz crystal cluster from Ceres. 3.9cm

    R45.00
  • Smoky quartz crystal cluster from Namibia. 19.5cm

    Smoky quartz crystal cluster from Namibia. 19.5cm

    R1,500.00
  • Double terminated quartz cluster from Musina, Rare, 947grams

    Double terminated quartz cluster from Musina, Rare, 947grams

    R850.00
  • Double terminated quartz from Musina, Rare, 878grams

    Double terminated quartz from Musina, Rare, 878grams

    R1,100.00
  • Goshenite crystals on matrix with garnet, Erongo

    Goshenite crystals on matrix with garnet, Erongo

    R200.00
  • Cactus quartz from Boekenhouthoek, 24.5 x 17 x 9cm

    Cactus quartz from Boekenhouthoek, 24.5 x 17 x 9cm

    R1,600.00
  • Quartz Botryoidal Crystal Cluster, Boekenhouthoek, 29 x 24.5 x 12.5cm

    Quartz Botryoidal Crystal Cluster, Boekenhouthoek, 29 x 24.5 x 12.5cm

    R350.00
  • Blue agate, Malawi, 9.5cm, 197 gram

    Blue agate, Malawi, 9.5cm, 197 gram

    R98.00
  • Blue agate, Malawi, 12cm, 357 gram

    Blue agate, Malawi, 12cm, 357 gram

    R150.00
  • Blue lace agate, south Namibia, 13cm, 632 gram

    Blue lace agate, south Namibia, 13cm, 632 gram

    R700.00
  • A Book of Mica from Namibia, 11cm

    A Book of Mica from Namibia, 11cm

    R70.00
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • →
  • Kyanite: Nature’s Sapphire Look-Alike With a Secret
    Kyanite is a gemstone that breaks the rules. At first glance, its deep sapphire-blue crystals look like they were carved from the sky itself — but the real mystery lies inside.
  • Why We Trust The Courier Guy for Fast & Reliable Parcel Delivery
  • WHO WE ARE
    We have been dealing with rocks and minerals since 1992. We pride ourselves in our dedication to providing the best customer service we can. We will go out of our… Read more: WHO WE ARE

silverhillsgems

74 Scott Street, Hartbeespoort, ZA🇿🇦
Quality crystals 🔮
Coffee shop on-premise ☕️
Worldwide shipping 📦
All major payment methods including Paypal 💰
⚠️ ‼️ ⚠️ ‼️ ⚠️ ‼️ ⚠️ ‼️COMING SOON! ⚠️ ‼️ ⚠️ ‼️ ⚠️ ⚠️ ‼️ ⚠️ ‼️ ⚠️ ‼️ ⚠️ ‼️COMING SOON! ⚠️ ‼️ ⚠️ ‼️ ⚠️ ‼️ ⚠️ ‼️ This just in! We got a shipment of tumbled stones coming in soon at a really good PRICE! We are selling per kg !! Limited stock available! Available for online and in store purchases. 📍 📍 📍 74 Scott Street Schoemansville Hartbeespoort 📍 📍 📍 OR 🌍 🌏 🌎 www.bronnrocks.co.za 🌎 🌏 🌍 #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell #tumbled
Just came to say hello to this beaut as I came int Just came to say hello to this beaut as I came into the shop... 🥰 Come visit us soon, the video does not do her justice at all... 74 Scott Street Schoemansville Hartbeespoort 📍 📍 📍 #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell
Just a pretty little fossil parading on a Monday m Just a pretty little fossil parading on a Monday morning... 🥰 Available for online and in store purchases. 📍📍 📍 74 Scott Street Schoemansville Hartbeespoort 📍 📍 📍 OR 🌍 🌏 🌎 www.bronnrocks.co.za 🌎 🌏 🌍 Also check out our YouTube channel : TheRockShop@Harties. #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell
The amount of detail and beauty found in this smal The amount of detail and beauty found in this small Agate bead is so amazing! 🥰 We love... Agates are so fascinating, I can't get enough... Every piece is so different and special... Available in store and online... 📌 74 Scott Street Schoemansville Hartbeespoort 📌 OR 🌍 www.bronnrocks.co.za 🌍 Also view our YouTube channel TheRockShop@Harties for amazing and intriguing videos on Agates as well as other minerals... #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell #nowinstore
I am OBSESSED ! 🥰 SHOP NOW! 🌍 🌏 🌎 www.bronnrocks I am OBSESSED ! 🥰 SHOP NOW! 🌍 🌏 🌎 www.bronnrocks.co.za 🌎 🌏 🌍 OR Come see us! 📍 📍 📍 74 Scott Street Schoemansville Hartbeespoort 📍 📍 📍 #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell #nowinstore
‼️❣️‼️❣️‼️❣️‼️❣️‼️THIS JUST IN ‼️❣️‼️❣️‼️❣️‼️❣️‼️ ‼️❣️‼️❣️‼️❣️‼️❣️‼️THIS JUST IN ‼️❣️‼️❣️‼️❣️‼️❣️‼️ As promised, the Big Boss came through for us... We got these beautiful double terminated quartz from Ceres, Western Cape... 🥰 We still in the process of sorting and cleaning but I had to show you all... Shhh!! 🤫🤫 Don't tell the boss I showed you... 🤣 It will be our little secret... 😊 Come see what else we have in store! Can't wait to see you... 😎 📍 📍 📍 74 Scott Street Schoemansville Hartbeespoort 📍 📍 📍 OR 🌍 🌏 🌎 www.bronnrocks.co.za 🌎 🌏 🌍 #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell #nowinstore
The dam’s volume increased from 160 million cubic The dam’s volume increased from 160 million cubic metres to 205 million cubic metres. The so-called “Victory Arch” on the Dam Wall is something exceptional. The arch is a copy of the common Roman victory arches with similarities to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The arch symbolises that the struggle for realisation of the dam, and the struggle against poverty was rewarded with victory. The arch is a repetition of the dam’s arch shape, which repeats the shape of the Union Building, which was completed just before the dam was built. On the eastern side of the arch an expression out of Varro’s “De re Rustica” (“The Rural Case”) is written in big Roman letters: SINE AQUA ARIDA AC MISERA AGRI CULTURA (Without water agriculture is withered and wretched) The expression on the western side was derived from the Latin Bible, Isaiah 44.3. It reads: DEDI IN DESERTO AQUAS FLUMINA IN INVIO (For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground.) The original name was “Hartebeestpoort”. The “t” in “beest” fell away with the transformation from Dutch to Afrikaans and the “e” in “Harte” had to make way because the name was too long to accommodate the Postal Code system on the 1970’s. https://hartbeespoort.net/ And just 4 MINS drive from this magnificent Dam Wall is the quaint and beautiful home of Silver Hills Gems... 🥰 Our history doesn't compare but is as beautiful and full bodied as this! Will tell you about it one day soon... 🥰 Come visit us soon! 🥰 We can't wait to see you... 📍📍 📍 74 Scott Street Schoemansville Hartbeespoort 📍📍 📍 #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell
Hartbeespoort, situated about 50km northwest of Jo Hartbeespoort, situated about 50km northwest of Johannesburg, is snuggled on the slopes of the Magalies Mountain and the banks of Hartbeespoort Dam. The name of the valley means “gateway of the Hartebeest (also known as Kongoni – Scientific name: Alcelaphus buselaphus)”. Hartbeespoort is the collective name of a few smaller towns situated around the Hartbeespoort Dam, including the towns of Meerhof, Ifafi, Melodie, Schoemansville and Kosmos. Schoemansville is named after General Hendrik Schoeman, a Boer General in the Anglo-Boer War, who owned the farm that the Hartbeespoort Dam was built on. The greatest single event in the history of the area was the building of the Hartbeespoort Dam. The first dam in the valley between the Magalies Mountain and Witwatersrand (south of the Dam) was build by General Hendrik Schoeman in 1898 called Sophia Dam, named after his wife. Unfortunately, the engineer who designed the dam wall made a mistake in his calculations and the dam was washed away in a flood shortly after it was constructed. Johan Schoeman, son of the General, revived the idea to build a dam in the Poort in 1905. The establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910 and the start of the First World War in 1914 delayed the start of the construction of the Dam. In 1920 work eventually started in the Poort. A second natural disaster hampered the construction in March 1921 when floods washed away the cofferdams in the Poort. The government employed a young engineer, F.W. Scott, who redesigned the Dam Wall. Scott reinforced the cofferdams and by 24 May 1921 the Crocodile River was “tamed” and concrete could be poured into the new foundations of the wall on 26 July 1921. To build the wall 250 000 bags of cement was needed which was supplied by Pretoria Portland Cement. The cement was transported by train to Brits where it was transferred to ox and mule powered coco pans, which transported it to the Poort. The official opening took place on 23 October 1924. In 1970, 10 metal sluices (“crown sluices”) were placed on top of the original overflow. Because of this the water level of the Dam increased by 2,44m. Continues in next post! https://hartbeespoort.net/
Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is a type of Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is a type of chalcedony, which is a microcrystalline form of quartz. It is primarily composed of silica (SiO2), the same mineral that forms quartz. However, what sets bloodstone apart and gives it its unique appearance are the additional minerals present within its composition. The predominant color of bloodstone is a deep green, which is attributed to the presence of various minerals, such as chlorite and epidote. These green minerals contain iron and are responsible for the stone’s green hue. The intensity of the green color can vary, ranging from a dark, almost blackish green to a lighter, mossy green. What truly distinguishes bloodstone and gives it its characteristic name are the red spots, splashes, or streaks that resemble drops of blood. These red inclusions are usually due to the presence of hematite, an iron oxide mineral. The red hematite contrasts with the green background, creating a striking and captivating appearance reminiscent of bloodstains. Shop NOW! 74 Scott Street Schoemansville Hartbeespoort 📍 📍 📍 OR www.bronnrocks.co.za 🌎 🌏 🌍 #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell
Our website got a face-lift! 🥰 We revamped our we Our website got a face-lift! 🥰 We revamped our website a bit... Made it more user friendly and bright... Added categories for you to scroll through at your leisure... We excited about our new look! We had to have Rocky on the home page as well as our very own, exquisite and famous Hartbeespoort dam wall! 💓 Take a look! 👀 Tell us wat you think? 💬 www.bronnrocks.co.za 🌎 #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell
Been a busy few weeks of sorting here at Silver Hi Been a busy few weeks of sorting here at Silver Hills Gems... Wanted to show you the colour on these little hematoid quartz specimens we are sorting right from our "backyard"... Its so amazing how when you look at a hill/mountain everyday, you'd never think that this would be right under your nose... 🥰 Amazing! #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell
The intricate lines and formations of this specime The intricate lines and formations of this specimen is so amazing... 🥰 Shop: 74 Scott Street Schoemansville Hartbeespoort 📍 📍 📍 OR www.bronnrocks.co.za 🌎 🌏 🌍 #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell #malachite #azurite
Wulfenite is a lead molybdate mineral with the for Wulfenite is a lead molybdate mineral with the formula PbMoO4. It often occurs as thin tabular crystals with a bright orange-red to yellow-orange color, sometimes brown, although the color can be highly variable. In its yellow form it is sometimes called "yellow lead ore". It crystallizes in the tetragonal system, often occurring as stubby, pyramidal or tabular crystals. It also occurs as earthy, granular masses. It is found in many localities, associated with lead ores as a secondary mineral associated with the oxidized zone of lead deposits. It is also a secondary ore of molybdenum, and is sought by collectors. Wulfenite was first described in 1845 for an occurrence in Bad Bleiberg, Carinthia, Austria.[2] It was named for Franz Xaver von Wulfen (1728–1805), an Austrian mineralogist. It occurs as a secondary mineral in oxidized hydrothermal lead deposits. It occurs with cerussite, anglesite, smithsonite, hemimorphite, vanadinite, pyromorphite, mimetite, descloizite, plattnerite and various iron and manganese oxides. Wulfenite crystallizes in the tetragonal system and possesses nearly equal axial ratios; as a result, it is considered to be crystallographically similar to scheelite (CaWO4). Wulfenite is classed by a pyramidal-hemihedral (tetragonal dipyramidal) (C4h) crystal symmetry. Therefore, the unit cell is formed by placing points at the vertices and centers of the faces of rhomboids with square bases and the crystallographic axes coincide in directions with the edges of the rhomboids. Two of these lattices interpenetrate such that a point on the first is diagonal to the second and one quarter the distance between the two seconds. Wulfenite
‼️⚠️ ‼️⚠️ ‼️Sneak Peak ‼️⚠️‼️⚠️ ‼️ Coming to our ‼️⚠️ ‼️⚠️ ‼️Sneak Peak ‼️⚠️‼️⚠️ ‼️ Coming to our store real soon! 😎 So excited to put these beauties in our store for you all ... 🥰 Come visit us soon, can't wait to see you... 📍 📍📍74 Scott Street Schoemansville Hartbeespoort 📍📍 📍 OR 🌍 🌏 🌎 www.bronnrocks.co.za 🌎 🌏 🌍 #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell #comingsoon
Helmut gets an agate Helmut gets an agate
Found this piece of Rough Agate hanging around in Found this piece of Rough Agate hanging around in our store and was curious to see wat it looked like inside so I got The Boss to cut it open out of curiosity... We speculated that it would probably just be red or orange inside but we were pleasantly suprised that there was some banding on the inside... 😎🥰 Physical Properties Chemical Formula: SiO₂ (Silicon Dioxide) Hardness: 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale Luster: Waxy to dull Transparency: Translucent to opaque Specific Gravity: ~2.60–2.64 Fracture: Conchoidal (smooth curved breaks) Cleavage: None 2. Optical and Visual Properties Color: Highly variable – commonly white, gray, blue, red, green, pink, brown, or black, often with bands or layers of contrasting colors. Banded Structure: One of its defining features, caused by rhythmic crystallization or mineral impurities. Pattern Types: May include moss, dendritic, lace, iris, or fortification patterns. 3. Formation Origin: Volcanic and metamorphic rocks Process: Formed in cavities of volcanic rocks where silica-rich fluids deposit in layers over time. Only one that we have available in store ... Check out our YouTube channel TheRockShop@Harties ‼️‼️‼️ Visit us in store 74 Scott Street Schoemansville Hartbeespoort 📍 📍 📍 OR Visit our online store Www.bronnrocks.co.za 🌎 🌏 🌍 #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell #agate
Do you know how amazing calcite is? NoI don't thin Do you know how amazing calcite is? NoI don't think you do. Watch the video and then tell me if you knew all this.
Calcite, Tsumeb Mine. ✨ Physical Properties: Che Calcite, Tsumeb Mine. ✨ Physical Properties: Chemical Formula: CaCO₃ Crystal System: Trigonal (Rhombohedral) Color: Usually colorless or white; can also be shades of gray, red, green, blue, yellow, orange, or brown due to impurities. Luster: Vitreous (glassy), can be pearly on cleavage surfaces Streak: White Hardness: 3 on the Mohs scale (soft) Cleavage: Perfect in three directions (rhombohedral) Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven Density: 2.71 g/cm³ Transparency: Transparent to translucent #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell #calcite
Mimetite, Tsumeb Namibia 🇳🇦🥰 1. Chemical Formula Mimetite, Tsumeb Namibia 🇳🇦🥰 1. Chemical Formula Pb₅(AsO₄)₃Cl It may form a solid solution with pyromorphite (Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl) and vanadinite (Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl). 2. Crystal System Hexagonal. Often forms prismatic, barrel-shaped, or acicular crystals; may also occur as botryoidal (grape-like) or massive forms. 3. Color Yellow, brown, orange, reddish-orange, white, greenish. Color can vary due to trace element content or weathering. 4. Luster Resinous to adamantine. Can appear glassy or dull in massive forms. 5. Hardness (Mohs scale) 3.5 – 4. 6. Specific Gravity 7.1 – 7.25. High due to lead content. 7. Streak White to pale yellow. 8. Transparency Transparent to translucent. 9. Cleavage and Fracture Cleavage: Poor or in distinct. Fracture: Uneven to conchoidal (shell-like). 10. Tenacity Brittle.
Beautiful Boekenhouthoek Clear Quartz Crystal Clus Beautiful Boekenhouthoek Clear Quartz Crystal Cluster... 🥰🥰🥰 Today we keep it real... No filters, no edits, no added sounds, just showing off this beauty with the sounds of our town in the background, ppl in cars going about their day... The birds chirping... 🥰 Love it! This is a very unique piece... Found in our favorite spot Boekenhouthoek, Mpumalanga... We only have a few available, they are a rare find! Come see for yourself! 🥰 📍📍📍 74 Scott Street Schoemansville Hartbeespoort 📍 📍 📍 OR 🌍🌏🌏 www.bronnrocks.co.za 🌍🌏🌎 #silverhillsgems #crystals #rockshop #gems #werock #wesell #boekenhouthoekquartz
Follow on Instagram

These Rocks Are INSANE! What do you do when you buy 12 tons of rock in Pretoria and need to get it to The Rockshop at Harties? Hire a truck… or take on the challenge yourself? In this video, I show how I planned the move, chose to use my Hilux and a 2-ton trailer, and figured out where to place everything in a small yard. From clearing space to setting up wooden partitions for different types of rock, this was a serious operation before the first load even moved. We did four loads over two days, but then the real problems started. Some of the rocks were huge boulders weighing 300–400 kg each. Thankfully, the previous owner had a winch and a strong tree, which made it possible to lift and load these monsters safely. The process was slow, heavy, and exhausting—but it worked. Along the way, I loaded stunning Swazi green stone, massive blocks of fiery red jasper, and then the real beasts: Dragon Bloodstone boulders, each weighing up to 350 kg. The other rocks are Transvaal Jade in emerald green, Verdite with ruby inclusions, garnet gneiss, shattukite, gem silica, Kalahari picture stone, Eswatini Green, Bloodstone, Rose quartz, Tiger iron and tigers eye. The most amazing amethyst and the list goes on and on. I forgot to film some of the unloading at my shop, but the video ends with a final reveal showing everything we managed to bring back. Some of these rocks are truly special. My personal favourites? The tiger iron and the amethyst blocks. Now the hard work continues as we start pricing the rocks and listing them online. If you want to see these giants up close, you’ll have to visit the shop in Harties at 74 Scott street. We are open daily. All the rocks will be priced with a reasonable Wholesale price if you buy bulk.
12 Tons of Rock… with a Hilux and a Trailer?! 😅
Our ten large boxes from China have arrived. We unpack everything in the parking lot, and the excitement is real. Each box is a surprise filled with beautiful treasures. Inside the boxes you will find: ✨ Freshwater pearls ✨ Gemstone jewellery ✨ Bags filled with loose gemstones ✨ Shell pearls ✨ Gemstone lights and unique gift items Our shop is now full of affordable stock again. Silver Hills looks like it did in the old days. Packed shelves, great prices, and something for everyone. Customers are already driving long distances to visit us. The staff is excited, and the shop is buzzing with energy. We are working hard to get everything onto the shelves. 📍 Silver Hills is definitely worth a visit right now! Come and see the new gemstone stock for yourself.
Unpacking Day 😍! Gems, Pearls & Gifts Everywhere
We visited the Jakaranda Kinderhuis Liggiefees with the family, and today is the last day of the festival — so don’t miss it! ✨ The food was absolutely divine, and the lights were magical. We went to enjoy the atmosphere, see the beautiful light displays, and grab something delicious to eat. It was great fun and a wonderful outing for the whole family. This video is just a snapshot of the Liggiefees — come and enjoy it with me. And don’t forget to subscribe! 😊
We Almost Missed This…Best Food at the Liggiefees? You Decide 🍔✨
YouTube Video Description We visit the Hartbeespoort Dam wall after sunset, drawn by the rare news that all 10 sluices are open. After torrential rain in the catchment area, the dam is alive with power — the inflow exceeds the outflow, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. As we walk along the wall, the scene is exhilarating and intense. Water thunders down the side of the dam with a mighty roar, filling the night air with sound and mist. The dam wall itself is partially flooded, and passing cars spray sheets of water as they drive by, adding to the drama of the moment. Only a handful of people are here at this hour, giving the visit a quiet, almost surreal atmosphere, but it’s clear that tomorrow will be chaos if the sluices remain open. Coloured lights illuminate the arch of the wall, creating a striking contrast against the dark sky and rushing water. What makes this visit truly special is that I have my granddaughter with me. Her excitement, curiosity, and reactions bring warmth and joy to the experience, turning an already incredible sight into a memorable family moment. This is not something you see often — all the sluices open at once — and we’re grateful to share this powerful, exhilarating, and rare event with you. Enjoy the visit with us.
All 10 Sluices Open at Night! Hartbeespoort Dam in Full Flood
I am honestly blown away. I’m walking through Liwan Plaza, right into the stone and mineral section, The fluorite and jade carvings on display are absolutely next level. The detail is so fine that it’s hard to believe these pieces are carved by hand. Every curve, every line, every face and fold looks deliberate and alive. Standing there, you can’t help but wonder: how long does it take to create something like this? Weeks? Months? Years? Most of the finest pieces are kept behind glass, not just for security, but because these carvings are clearly works of art rather than simple decorative stones. I asked a friendly shop assistant what the most expensive carving in the shop was, and the answer completely shocked me — RMB 680,000. And that wasn’t even the top end. The real eye-opener came when I learned that: A set of geodes was priced at an incredible RMB 4.5 million Stunning rutile quartz pieces were selling for around RMB 1 million It quickly becomes clear that you need very deep pockets to shop in these stores. This video is a slow walk through the Liwan market, taking in the craftsmanship, the scale, and the sheer beauty of what’s on display. For anyone who loves rocks, crystals, jade, carving, or mineral art, this place is absolutely mind-blowing. I hope you enjoy this walk through Liwan Plaza as much as I did — I found it truly amazing.
I Asked the Price… and Almost Fell Over 😳
What was supposed to be a normal buying day in China turned into one of the most stressful moments of my entire trip. While I was sitting down talking to my bank in South Africa about an issue with one of my credit cards, I was completely focused—too focused. I didn’t realize someone had quietly come up behind me and slipped my wallet out of my shoulder bag. It took me a moment to discover the loss… and when I did, panic hit me like a truck. All I could think was: My trip is over. My cards, my cash—everything was gone. I immediately phoned my friend Lu He, who rushed over to help. Within minutes the police were there, taking a report and trying to piece together what had happened. While they were talking to me, the thief rummaged through my wallet near an exit, took all my cash, and threw the wallet away. But here’s where the story takes an unexpected turn… About half an hour later, while I was still shaken and explaining the situation to the police, a Chinese man walked up to us. He held a plastic bag, reached inside—and pulled out my wallet. Every card was still there. He had found it discarded and went looking for the owner. Was he a worker passing by? Was he an angel sent in disguise? I honestly don’t know. But in that moment, it felt like a miracle. I can’t explain the relief I felt. Even though the cash was gone, having my cards back meant the trip wasn’t over. I could continue buying, filming, and sharing my journey with you. In the rest of this video, I showcase some of the incredible items I managed to buy after the incident—and I take you along with me as I continue exploring, learning, and navigating China’s busy markets. This was a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong… and how unexpectedly grace can appear. 👉 Watch till the end to see what I found after recovering from the shock. 👉 Drop a comment if something similar has ever happened to you while traveling.
Pickpocketed in China, most stressful thing that ever happened to me.
A Visit to Rural China | Humble Home, Tea & Bead Stringing Skills Today I’m in Ketang, China, visiting my friend Yulon at his home. His house is humble, and I feel honoured that he invited me inside. When we arrive, he shows me his name painted on the wall — written by himself with a large calligraphy brush. He even painted the names on his neighbours’ houses. His brush skills are incredible. This is what real rural China looks like. Inside his home, he serves me traditional tea with parched rice and peanuts. A simple but beautiful gesture of hospitality. His wife shows me how she strings beads to earn extra money. Beads are placed on two rolling bars, and she slides a needle through them. The beads almost “jump” onto the string. She earns only 10–15 USD per day (about R250) and receives just 0.20 RMB per string. For higher-quality beads she earns 0.50 RMB per bracelet, but selecting the best stones takes much longer. Then we visit the local gem mall, where I buy some inexpensive jewellery and get a real feel for the markets in rural China. If you enjoy seeing how everyday people live, work, and create in China, please subscribe and give this video a thumbs up. It really helps my channel grow.
Invited Into a Humble Chinese Home-What I Saw Truly Surprised Me…
Ever wondered how they drill holes in irregular gemstone beads? This video shows the entire process. We visit a gemstone factory hidden in a residential area. There are hundreds of small gemstone workshops like this. This factory makes beads and drills holes in quartz crystals and irregular stones. We travel there on Yulon’s 20-year-old bike. Up one flight of stairs we enter a world of noise and activity. The factory is buzzing with workers. Two beads are drilled at the same time. A vibrating shaft with metal rods creates friction. A mix of abrasive powder and water cuts straight through the stone. The hole is drilled from one side and finished on the other. It is surprisingly fast. But the work is repetitive and exhausting. We walk to the next floor, but it is not operating today. This is real gemstone manufacturing in China. Raw. Loud. Authentic. Watch how beads are drilled from start to finish. If you enjoy behind-the-scenes gemstone videos, subscribe today. Don’t forget to like, comment, and share.
“I Finally Saw How They Drill Irregular Beads… It’s Crazy!
Today we take you inside a world few people ever get to see—the heart of a small bead-making workshop in Ketang, China. I ride through the busy streets with Yulon, who worked at this factory just a week ago. His motorbike is more than 20 years old, and let me tell you… riding through Ketang traffic on that thing is a CRAZY experience all on its own! Our first stop was a factory that turned out to be closed, but we didn’t give up. We set off again and eventually arrived at a small working bead shop—when I say “factory,” it’s really just two hard-working men shaping gemstones by hand. They were cutting Brazilian quartz crystals into perfect little cubes using a thin 1 mm diamond saw. Each crystal is inspected, chosen for its clear areas, and sliced down by hand. Some cubes come out large, others small, depending on the stone. From there, the beads normally go into the next stage where they are rounded—but that machine wasn’t running today. After rounding, the beads are polished until they shine and finally drilled into the beautiful gemstone beads we all know. It's incredible to see how much time, skill, and precision goes into something as simple as a bead. And don’t miss our next video, where we visit Yulon’s home to see how a factory worker lives with his wife and two children in a tiny apartment. Their story is real, humbling, and eye-opening. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any of our upcoming videos!
A Wild Ride Through Ketang to Discover How Beads Are Made!
Subscribe

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • RSS

Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
  • Manage options
  • Manage services
  • Manage {vendor_count} vendors
  • Read more about these purposes
View preferences
  • {title}
  • {title}
  • {title}