The Rockshop at Harties

Join us as we dive into another exciting day of sorting rocks at The Rockshop at Harties ! This time, I unpack a dusty, unseen batch of rocks, and the surprises are endless. My granddaughter Tiane, the delight of my life, is here to help, making the process even more enjoyable. Here’s what we found: 🔹 Aquamarine: A striking blue beryl that stood out among the lot. Its even colors and pegmatite origins make it a true gem. 🔹 Sunstone: A first for us in South Africa! This unique find, mixed with mica and feldspar, is an absolute treasure. 🔹 Rose Quartz: Gem-quality pieces that are simply stunning. 🔹 Blue Agate from Malawi: Vibrant hues that captivate the eye. 🔹 Black Tourmaline: Tiane took the lead on these beauties, uncovering their deep, striking tones. 🔹 Botswana Agate: Renowned for its intricate fine lines, these are truly collector’s pieces. We also showcase a large quantity of black tourmaline imported from Namibia, proving the effort was well worth it. The video captur...

2 Billion years old, is it true? Depends who tell the story. Stuart Clague is the expert on the story of the mountains underneath our feet. Like the brow of a sinking titanic the mountains at Harties juts up at an angle and this is how it happened. Wait for it, not just 2 000 000 000 but 3 000 000 000 billion years of earth history lies bare before our eyes. A fascinating story worth recording and telling to all. Quartzsite, shale, dolomite, chert and yes GOLD and more GOLD. this is our story. Do not forget to leave your comments below and to subscribe to the channel to keep updated on the history of all that is around us. The Rockshop@Harties

Take an early morning walk with me through Manyane Lodge at Pilanesberg Nature Reserve as I explore the devastation left by a fire that destroyed 40 chalets in September 2023. The intense heat melted glass into fascinating shapes, a haunting reminder of the blaze’s power. I share my thoughts on the scene and the future of the lodge. Back at the chalet, the mischievous baboon made another visit. Determined to find it, I follow its trail, only to have it bark at me and dash away—likely mistaking my camera and gimbal for something threatening. Along the way, I meet security guards who share tips for staying safe from the opportunistic baboons. They explain how these clever animals break windows and doors to access food, emphasizing the importance of precautions like keeping windows closed and food out of sight. On a brighter note, the guards assure me that restoration efforts at Manyane Lodge are set to begin soon. To wrap up, I include footage of the majestic elephants we encountered...

Welcome to Manyane Lodge in Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, where our goal was simple: treat the grandchildren and introduce them to the beauty of birdwatching. Armed with a bag of garden bird seed and a bit of papaya, we turned our stay into a haven for some of South Africa's most stunning bird species. On day one, the first visitors to the feast were the guineafowl and Natal francolin. Soon after, the Grey Lourie (Go-away bird) arrived, drawn to the fruit, followed by the striking crested barbet. The "bospatrys" made its territorial presence known, chasing away larger birds, but it couldn’t stop the Cape starling or the vibrant Crimson-Breasted Shrike from joining the gathering. The star of the show? The Southern yellow-billed hornbill, whose antics included an amusing battle with its reflection in the windscreen. Over three days, I photographed an incredible variety of species—70 in total! Captured with my Akaso wide-angle camera to bring you up close to the birds' wor...

Join us on our midweek visit to Manyane Lodge in Pilanesberg, a place rich in natural beauty but marred by the remnants of devastating fires. Over 40 chalets were destroyed in a blaze over a year ago, and the damage remains largely untouched. The scene feels abandoned, with melted windows, hoses left in the grass, and decay all around. Earlier this year, the main reception area also fell victim to flames, adding to the sense of neglect. Despite the challenges, we made the most of our time with family. From chasing a cheeky baboon that boldly stole cheese buns from our chalet, to tracking impala footprints and examining their droppings, every moment became a teachable and memorable adventure. Follow us as we explore the lodge's grounds, encounter the notorious baboons on their morning raids, and enjoy the serenity of the abundant birdlife that calls this place home. We end the video with stunning shots of the local avian residents. Leave your thoughts and comments below—have you vis...

 I cut some stunning Botswana agates with my grandchildren. We start by cleaning the saw and selecting a few promising agates to cut. Along the way, we encounter a centipede (known as a duisendpoot in Afrikaans) in a sad state, its back crushed—not by us, of course! As we cut through these agates, we marvel at their unique beauty and variety. Did you know that agates, although a type of microcrystalline quartz, are harder than regular quartz? These Botswana agates, renowned as the "kings of agates," don’t disappoint, revealing incredible patterns and colors. The most charming part? Listening to my Afrikaans-speaking grandchildren try their hand at English—it’s absolutely adorable! If you enjoyed this video, let me know in the comments if you'd like to see more agate cutting. I still have about 50 kg of these beauties waiting to be discovered! Want to own your own piece of Botswana agate? Visit our online store at www.bronnrocks.co.za to explore our latest stock. We ship...

In this video, we dive into the unique process of acquiring and preparing crystals from Malawi. Join me on the journey as I navigate sending payment across borders, starting with finding a Mukuru agent (who, as always, can be a bit elusive!) to book the transfer, then heading to the local mall to finalize payment. Once our contact in Malawi receives the funds, the real work begins. I start with a closer look at an extraordinary geode with Richelle, appreciating its natural beauty and distinct features before launching into the process of prepping the crystals. From washing and sawing bases to capturing photos for our online store, it’s all hands-on! The first phase wraps up with an African-style crystal cleaning—boiling in oxalic acid over an open wood fire. If you enjoy the art and adventure of working with crystals, stay tuned as we transform raw gems into display-worthy pieces.