Thursday, May 14th, 2009 quietly marked the end of an era. The Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper property cleared escrow and is now off limits to the public. The new owners show no interest in the mineral deposit and reportedly will be filling in and abandoning the site.

What rockhound is not acquainted with the red and yellow flowers, orbs, and poppies in this highly sought after cutting material? We have all 'ooohed and aaahed' viewing the slabs and cabs at gem shows. With each cut exposing a succession of unexpected patterns I have often been surprised by my finished gems, (though I would always say, "Yep, that's the look I was going for.")

Few people knew exactly where it came from, and fewer still were permitted access. The location is private, residential property and past owners were understandably protective of their treasure. Around forty years ago a young, local boy named Martin Kramer (That's Martin in the photo, characteristically swinging a pick. Also, three collectors from the Monterey / Carmel area.) was hill climbing near his Morgan Hill home, South of San Jose, California and noticed some pretty, red rocks. Back then, the jasper could be collected as float material. When that had all been removed rockhounds attacked outcrops with gads, prybars, and sledges hoping to find jasper in the host rock. Finally, exploratory holes were dug until two reliable veins were found just feet from one another. For years this one site has supplied gem rough for lapidaries throughout the nation and beyond. If you notice a recent abundance of poppy jasper on the market (I have seen bowling ball-sized boulders at a few shows) it is because the site was opened to fee-digging for the last year or so. Knowing they would soon sell their home, the owners took advantage of the extra income stream.

If there is any good news in the recent closing it is that there will be NO CONDOS built on the site. The new owners want to plant an olive orchard. Those familiar with the site know that it is high on a steep hill. The owners will most likely confine planting to the valley and lower hills, leaving the jasper untouched. Who knows; the site may reopen someday. Olive trees take a long time to mature. This means several years with no income. If approached correctly by responsible local G&M clubs, they may change their minds (at some point) and allow limited digging that will supplement their income. In any case, it was quite an adventure to see this local treasure in situ and dig there in the last few weeks before the close. I was happy as a pig in mud, or in iron-rich, red earth, anyway.

I hesitate to reveal the location because the new owners say they want nothing to do with rockhounding, but for historical purposes only here are the GPS coordinates:

Coordinates of the buried treasure: 37.1141398733N; 121.669474918W

Coordinates of house: 37.1135223706N; 121.663533787W

Coordinates of turnoff from main road (De Witt Av.): 37.1133271948N; 121.661480379W

Google Earth it / map it / but please leave the owners alone. Personally, I always rejoice when I see property owners exercising their property rights. We seem to be losing them almost daily.

FOOTNOTE:

There is a second source in the valley around Morgan Hill, on city or county property. It is currently off limits, reportedly due to overzealous digging by someone entrusted with limited collecting priveleges.

A few miles away in a San Jose park a similar Guadalupe orbicular jasper was once found. Also off limits and buried. It is a park, after all.

Happy Hunting.

-Rocky.