Denver’s Own “Prospectors”
Introducing Prospector Amanda Adkins Anderson
The Prospectors is self described as a television show that “ follows a rag-tag gang of miners searching for the rarest gems in the U.S. in order to strike it rich.”
The show which airs on The Weather Channel is based in several locations in and around Denver,CO. The Busse’s Mt. Antero claim; the Dorris Family’s claims in Lake George and Mt. Antero; the Aquamarine King Steve Brancato’s work on Mt. Antero; the many claims of Rich Fretterd and the perilous Mt. Antero claim of Amanda Adkins Anderson. We are going to take a few minutes to get to know Prospector Amanda better.
It was great to start an interview by being able to congratulate Amanda on Prospectors being picked up for a third season! …but life has not always been perfect for Amanda Adkins Anderson.
Your’s is a “Worthwhile Journey” a story of courage and perseverance…Amanda fill us in on the major detour your journey took.
Amanda: I had a very unexpected shake up in my life that I wasn’t sure how to come back from. In 2009 my husband was diagnosed with leukemia, and the kids and I spent as much time with him as we could and I still had to pay the bills and keep the family going. I worked harder than I ever had before and faced with a new set of challenges, the digging and the kids kept me going even after he passed away. I learned how short and precious life is and I don’t take one minute for granted. I never thought I would find someone to share my life with again, someone who could understand what it is to dig full time and to work in the elements and elevation like gemstone miners do.
I think that the viewers last season really enjoyed watching your relationship with Travis blossom.
Amanda: When I met Travis. I had gone from digging alone most of the time and learning that is the very scary, very quick way to get injured and stranded! I had to learn the hard way to not go digging alone after several falls, cuts, severed crushed finger and breaks. Digging alone is the worst thing a rockhound can do! Travis has taken a huge amount of worry off my mind in my daily work and life now, as well as brought his expertise, also being prospector and miner since he was a small child. He had a similar upbringing to mine, digging and mining with his father as well. We were married April 24th 2013 and he has been an amazing, uplifting bright light in my life for over a year now. I never thought I could see this happy ending in my life but I’m sure glad to be living it now! As a couple, we hike farther, dig faster, and produce more gems than ever before on our own. This is an amazing new chapter in my life that keeps bringing new digging adventures our way. We have produced an incredible amount of gemstones and mineral specimens over the past year and continue to work on new locales.
Where did you get the “rockhound” bug?
Amanda: I began mining at the age of 12 and although I had been a rockhound in West Virginia before that, 12 is the age I actually made my first gemstone sale, a brilliant garnet parcel that I had collected from the La Veta, Colorado area, not far from where we lived. My father, Greg Adkins and my cousin Oakley Adkins decided to take me on their gold panning and prospecting trips. I soon began to see the very tiny flakes of gold in my pan and my attention quickly turned to the brilliant, fiery red gems that also turned up with the black sand and gold in the pan. I would keep them in a small vile and show my father and cousin, who would just smile and let me know that those red gems were January’s birthstone. I was fascinated, and HOOKED! While the gold was fun, I found hunting gemstones to be way more fun! Oakley then shared with me his many pegmatite, prospecting, and gemstone secrets and my father continued to take me hiking and gem hunting. In over two decades of prospecting Colorado now, I will never forget that first gemstone I found, or the jumpstart of knowledge and locations at a young age that I will be forever grateful for. No matter where life has taken me in the time between then and now, one thing never changed. I have always been pursuing the next gemstone locale, finding new areas, hiking a bit farther, steadily learning as I go until I turn up enough gems to keep my family going.
But taking on prospecting as a career versus a weekend hobby is a huge step – what are some of the things you found necessary to make the leap?
Amanda: I have to say that the jump between a rockhound/hobby and gemstone mining as a career is a huge, life altering jump. It has taken all of over two decades for me to gather the inventory, buyers, and resources needed to make this a full time job. In 2012 I was honored to win the 3rd Year Prospecting Competition by the Greater Denver Area Gem and Mineral Show. I was blown away and never expected to place in that tough competition but very honored and excited to!
Most women would not think of full time miner when confronted with raising a large family.
Amanda: Raising my children while being a full time miner has its challenges but overall I think it has been good that I get to spend larger stretches of time with them when I am home, and even the times I get to take them digging with me. When the kids are sick, I do not have to call a boss and beg for time off so that has been the main plus in this particular form of self-employment.
The Weather Channel’s Prospectors must be a welcome paycheck?
Amanda: The reality television series PROSPECTORS has been a most interesting event over the past couple years! Now there is a large audience following us to a couple of our favorite gemstone mines as we locate and extract gemstone pockets for the world to see, since the show is not only on the Weather Channel in America but it is also on National Geographic worldwide!
Has your role on Prospectors opened any other doors?
Amanda: This year I had the honor of being a guest on Jewelry Television (JTV) to showcase and sell, and help be the voice for American mined gemstones in their new American Splendor collection.
I will continue to make guest appearances with them in the future.
I always like to finish up an interview with recommendations – books and anything else my guest recommends:
For info on gemstone and pegmatite mining, Amanda suggests Jim Clanin’s book The Fundamentals of Mining for Gemstones and Mineral Specimens.
For prospecting supplies, mining equipment and tools, Travis and Amanda use Doc’s Detecting Supply as he has generously helped us along with our tools and equipment. http://www.docsdetecting.com …you’ll see these tools in action on the upcoming season 3 of Prospectors that airs in November.
An edited version of this interview was printed in the 2014 Denver EZ-Guide
Robyn Hawk
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{ 80 comments… read them below or add one }
Hoping Prospectors continue with NEW shows this year. My wife and I “love” all the prospectors and get excited with each new episode. I’m an “old” rock hound and did my digging, cutting and polishing while living in California. I went out into desert around Needles, CA to find my specimens. Others I purchased when Rock Shops were still popular in the 60s. Love all my desert finds, but also love semi-precious gemstones even more. Good Luck on finding the BIG ones. Ray in Arizona
Dear Amanda,
We all love watching your adventures! You are such an inspiration to all women!
If your marriage to Travis wasn’t right for you,so be it!the only reason I can surmise is that your children didn’t mesh with him. We all know our children come first!
Luv your new lady partner! Very spiritual, & sincere.
Looking forward to more episodes of my favorite show,
Luv ya, Judi
My name is Mike McEntyre. I will be on the same claim, Mt white, with chris m zander, stone cellar #1, this year. Looking forward to being part of the team. I’m 54 years old, my wife Cynthia and I are excited to start this new adventure in our life. We have sold everything and moved to salida CO, from Dallas TX, In order to accomplish the American dream. We hope and pray that God and the mountains will prove, that dreams do come true. Thank you and hope to see you on the mountain. Good luck to US all. Mike McEntyre
would like to buy a ring from you for the lady in my life for the last 35 years. we watch the show and think it is a great show. she would love a ring that was not made or came from a place were someone was killed or slaved to get it. please contact me via e-mail so i can order one from you. Thank you and may you always be blessed.
Looking for something really real.
I am not sure Nora – why not ask her? Amanda loves her fans and you can follow her and talk to her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
If you are looking purchase Colorado Rocks check out her website: http://www.shop.coloradorocksprospectors.com/
I’m sorry this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
If you are looking purchase Colorado Rocks check out her website: http://www.shop.coloradorocksprospectors.com/
I’m sorry this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
If you are looking purchase Colorado Rocks check out her website: http://www.shop.coloradorocksprospectors.com/
I’m sorry this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
If you are looking purchase Colorado Rocks check out her website: http://www.shop.coloradorocksprospectors.com/
Diann – your best bet would be to join your local Gem & Mineral Society…you will find a list of clubs here: http://www.amfed.org/club.htm
That is a question that only a prospector could answer…Amanda loves her fans – you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” and ask her! https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
I’m sorry this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
I’m sorry this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
I’m sorry this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
As far as I know they are no longer together…Amanda loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
I removed your contact info Buddy – didn’t want it getting into the wrong hands…
I’m sorry this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
I’m sorry this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
I’m sorry this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
I’m sorry this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
Thank you Diane – Amanda loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
As far as I know yes. This was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
Ryan – I can run this by Amanda but…this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
I’m sorry this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
I’m sorry this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
I’m sorry this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
What a great idea Susan – Amanda is extremely busy right now working up some new projects but I will run this by her….
Mohammed I removed your phone number and will pass it on
As far as I know she and Travis broke up…
She is no longer with Travis as far as I know…
I’m sorry this was an interview with Amanda – she isn’t actually handling replies…she loves her fans and you can follow her on Facebook “Prospector Amanda Adkins” https://www.facebook.com/Prospector-Amanda-Adkins-300328780094818/?fref=ts
I believe it is…
If you are referring to Travis – they are no longer together….that is all I know.
I am a field collecting rockhound but I don’t think I could hang at that altitude!
We can never get enough of this great show. it is funny how we have made the show part of our most watched list. We hate waiting between seasons and over whelmed when it returns. We always hope that Amanda is on every episode and miss that hunk of a husband. They were meant to meet each other and be together. You saw that from the start. We were so excited for both of them, Amanda to have support of a great guy and Travis for receiving the best of all, Amanda. Hope all the children are good and Amanda bring them a new step-father who is such a great person with a good heart. We watch reruns over and over. Even at 64, I would still like to go and dig just to add to my rock collection and would love to stay at a lower elevation (bad knees you know).
Best Wishes to all and thank you for adding to our lives and bring joy to 2 sisters.
Most sincerely,
Sharon and Karen
Jcksonville Florida
I was wondering where her husband is because I always watch this show because of them and cheer them on but haven’t seen her husband. when will he be back on show and I hope they are still together. Thanks Victoria Flaherty
Is this the Mt Antero near Bonanza, Colorado?
I really admire you Amanda! I’m so happy that u found another wonderful husband! Love to your family! Happy Valentines Day tomorrow on the 14th. From Vivian Kanin
AMANDA IS QUITE A PROSPECTOR. MY WIFE AND I ENJOYED WATCHING HER RELATIONSHIP WITH TRAVIS BLOSSUM BUT,WHAT HAPPENED? WE DONT SEE HIM THIS SEASON AND SHE HAS A NEW FEMALE PARTNER? ARE THEY STILL TOGETHER? DID THEY GET MARRIED. THANK YOU, GG
I enjoy watching you look for gems on tv. I was wondering if your still will Travis? You make such a great couple.
Hello I am Mohammed from Jordan Petra and I’m a fan Search for treasures and has experience in this area and I want to work with you this telephone number …
Hello lady, I’ve watched your show since it began. Of course I’m a jealous rock hound stuck in ohio the great state of shale woohoo. Was thinking I’d give a finger??? to work with you for a wkend. and give u all I found. Thought it’d be a great contest for your viewers. Especially if I won lol. My grown daughters r rock hounds too! My youngest one my 35 yr. old really has a nose for it and finds wonderful fossils here. Anyway just a thought. Happy hunting lady!!!!!!!
Where is your husband this season
Love the show!
Amanda, I just watched an episode of prospectors here in Wichita Kansas. Today is January 31,2016. You were mining with a female I think her name was Jessica. Was this an older show or was this a new episode? Are you and Travis still married? I sure hope so cause I thought you made a great couple. Hope life is good for you. Thank you for doing what you do. Sincerely, Patty
I enjoy the show very much. I.liked the fact that you found someone to fill your life with love and happiness. Best of luck to you and your family.
The Cast Of Prospectors
I’m not sure if this is even going to get to any of the members of the prospectors teams or not but I’m a huge fan of the show.
My girlfriend loves the show but hates me watching it because I attend to tone her out and ignore her a little bit. But ( Oh well sorry baby my shows on ) I’ve been with her for 10 years but with a family of 6. Its extremely hard to make ends meet with bills an keeping a roof over my families head (renting) an food on their plates but we do make ends meet. I’m not emailing you to give you a sob story because i do realize there are allot of people an families way worst off then me. But when tax season comes around we as a family do like to take that one trip somewhere its usually nothing major but just something to show the kids theres a cool world out there besides florida an amusement parks although we do intend to go with them because I have young ones. But it makes us happy together as a family. Well i’m getting at is the last couple of years I know my girlfriend has been wanting a wedding ring an she has a custom one in mind but nothing to Extreme. I would love to take a trip out there to go prospecting for blue Aqua Marines loves those gems and I would love to make a custom wearing one day with them. I would love to go prospecting with you guys just to keep a blue aqua or two and the rest is all yours from what I find. It would make my dream come true. and hers as well and she would absolutely go crazy if I customized a ring around a beautiful gem like that. I understand it’s hard work and I know no one’s probably going to read this but I hope someone responds even if it’s a no I’m sorry or just so I know I was heard thank you. I hope to get positive feedback. This is how to contact me if anyone of you amazing groups would like to help me out with my Fantasy.
Ryan Jones
954-448-3891
Rjones295@aol.com
221 N.W 37 street. Oakland park, FL 33309
https://weather.com/tv/shows/prospectors/news/cast-prospectors-20131023?&cm_ven=Email&cm_cat=undefined
Sent from my iPhone
This new season of Prospectors. Amanda was with a new partner….. Did Travis, and Amanda split ways.?.. I was so sorry to see her without him. She looks like she has been hurt emotionally. I wish her the very best. My husband , and i, really enjoy watching her, and all the others too.
WHERE ARE YOU TIS YEAR AMANDA? AND WHAT HAPPENED TO TRAVIS? WHY DO YOU HAVE A NEW WOMAN PARTNER? HUMM..
Where is Travis this year? Have he and Amanda Split up<
i love not only watching the show, but getting an education from the likes of Amanda and Travis. They are extremely knowledgeable in how to spot great spots for digging. They tell us all what they look for when hunting out a location to begin in terms that prove there is way more than luck involved in the process. For those folks who feel they can just poke around and stumble upon treasure, this is an awakening in what danger there lies for an uneducated jackass. I’d love to do this, but have enough respect for the practice to know that just watching a few seasons of the show or reading a few books, is not at all enough to get me anywhere. There’s not enough luck in the world that can get you educated enough for that. So God bless all of the hardworking, dedicated miners on the show, for sharing their passion. And for showing us all, the work that actually goes into making the treasure seeking dream come true!
Hi amanda ,,my name is rose ren,i watch your show every week we love it. We dig in a small rock pile that came out of a mine in rosiclair il. I have found some beautiful pieces as well as my husband.is there can you tell us what we have if we send photos we wanna sale some but dont know what they are worth.can you email me please, thank you .
We have really enjoyed watching you over the years and getting engaged to Travis and married we are happy for you..Enjoy watching the rock hounding show and learning about different stones and minerals..Keep up the wonderful work …Good luck to you and your family Mary & Bill Chula Vista,CA
I am 61 found some amethyst geode and azurite. I didnt no what there were and gave them away. Latter I found out the were high grade and worth thousands . My loss !!! I was 9 at that time and living in Co. We moved back to Va. and I have always want to go back and look for more gem stones . But , marrage and family have kept me here. I have always want to go back and have dreamed of doing so.I am not in the best of health but I will go back . I would like to no if there is any way you can help me with doing this. I dont no how to file a mining claim or even no what to do. Plese help me with my dream. Thank You
Buddy
This is 2016 January. Amanda appears to be mining with a female. Why not her husband Travis?
Thanks
I just wanted to let you know how much I like you in the prospectors. My wife and I watch your program every week. We were wondering why Travis is nt on this year. We hope he is well .
Alan and Linda Locke
Hi Amanda I am in love with the show and would love to fly there and go mining with you. I’m sure alot of people ask. This would be a dream come true for me and more future mining experience. I do not wish to be on the show though. Unless I get good. Lol. Hopefully we can talk soon
is it hard to get started in propecting
Why haven’t we seen Travis on the show so far this season?
Hello;
Unfortunately, I have missed part of this season. When I taped it the other night, a lady was with Amanda, and I’m just wondering why she isn’t with her husband? I really have enjoyed watching them together, and was pleased that she found someone that she loved again.
Thank you,
Sheri
Where is Amandas husband Travis?
IS AMANDA AND HER LT HUSBAND STILL TOGETHER? WHERE IS HE? WHAT IS HE DOING?
I see Amanda has a new female mining partner and that Amanda is listed as Adkins and not Anderson. Is Travis out of the picture?
Thanks, Chuc
We are trying to figure out, Amanda are you still married? Date today is 11/21/15
I am attempting to follow Amanda here as I do on the weather channel, hoping to find smokey quartz or other ge!s such as aquamrine or bother beautiful stones she has found. I am currently in Salida
And wondering what gems I can locate that Amanda has dug out of her claim. It would be a treat to purchase a stone that she. Has dug herself, Thank you for any information you can provide!
I greatly admire you and am happy that you have Travis in your life, I watch the show and always hope that you will find the next great pocket, you deserve it, best wishes!
I love your show and your fearlessness and complete dedication in the way that you work so hard to provide for your children, you are an awesome woman!
Amanda I admire what you do. It’s a big dream of mine & would love to do it some day. Love watching you is pretty amazing.
I’m glad for the look into prospecting. I would like to see if there is a way to get a phantom crystal not necessarily large but a clear crystal. I can be reached on my e-mail address .
Amanda Adkins is a liar. She isn’t raising her kids. Other people are. She uses people….men to get what she wants. I will never watch this show again.
I love the show. I am a Civil War relic diggers and this just fits right in with me. Great fun to watch the show.
You and Travis are wonderful people to watch on your prospecting show. I’m 74 years old, and I enjoy seeing the excitement on your faces when you hit a pocket of nature’s gifts. It amazes me to see the two of you ejoying your lifestyle, interacting with nature, your family and each other. I sincerely hope you get to keep going on your shared adventures. How great would that be? If you can spare a publicity photo, that would be great, too.
Good luck mining, Charlie.
You don’t know how I enjoy the show everyone seems so true just everyday people working very hard. Hope to see all of you for a long time .
I watch prospectors all the time.
Amanda has inspired me by her perseverance, her determination, and her love of God.
When are we going to see your new ring? I can’t wait to see it.
Hi Amanda and Travis, enjoy your show very much. As an amateur rock hound I think what your doing is amazing. I am now 68 and cannot walk far but still walk with my head down searching the ground. Are you doing any shows on the east coast. I live in Maine and we travel alot. Keep up the great work which will inspire young children to work hard for what ever they wish to do.
I found a blue rock that looks both salty and blue and I was wondering how I can find out what this rock actually is and it’s worth?
This is my sons email address. My family loves you all, we just can’t wait for your program to come on again. How do I buy a raw stone? We would like an Amanda &Travis. Raw rock . Do you have a price list? Ma is not well. She has heart failure . I know it would give her joy for me to buy us a rock. You can snail mail us at hazel Wyatt and daughter Lynn S. Tower and son Charles A Rhodes and. McLaren . He is our dog.
Thank you Lynn and family
Amanda Adkins Anderson is my favorite on Prospectors? I can feel the excitement of a find just watching her and Travis! I am addicted!
Looking for something really real. Not afraid of hard work and really want to learn. Please email me back at yukon111871@gmail.com.
What part of West Virginia is Amanda from?