An interview with Antoni Ciaćek, a resident of Ocice, was conducted by students from the Primary School in Ocice: J. Berny, M. Zgodzińska and T. Oleksiak.
Where did your interests come from?
When I first happened to see an amethyst, it aroused my interest, and from that moment I began collecting minerals. That was in 1989. I owe it all to Mr Czyrki, who got me interested in excursions. While visiting a museum in Szklarska Poręba, I saw wonderful specimens and decided to look for similar ones. And I found them. Over time, the collection began to grow. From autumn 1994, I started collecting seriously. But I am still only an amateur.
In which places do you look for your specimens?
I look for the greatest number of agates, chalcedonies and various types of quartz around Płuczki Górne, in Pławna and in Gradówka. Gypsum can be found in Niwica, while in Nowy Kościół there are agates, quartz, amethysts and smoky quartz.
How are these stones searched for?
In Płuczki, I dug pits in search of specimens or broke up rocks.
Do you process the specimens you find yourself, or do you get help from others?
A friend from Nowy Kościół used to cut agates for me, and now I have the processing done in Bolesławiec for a small fee. Once I have assembled the equipment, I will cut and polish the stones myself.
What does such stone processing involve?
You need a diamond saw, a chisel and suitable abrasive powder, which is applied wet, and the stone is polished on an appropriate grinder. It is very complicated and labour-intensive.
Have you presented your collection at mineral fairs or other exhibitions?
I have too few minerals, and they are not of the best quality, so they have not been exhibited anywhere. To show something, you have to collect minerals for a very long time. I could apply, but the fairs are either in Wrocław or in Jelenia Góra, and you need to have a way to get there and transport the stones. For now, I am not thinking about it, but in a few years I will certainly apply.
-What kinds of minerals do you collect?
Above all, various varieties of chalcedony, agates, chrysoprase, amethysts, rock crystal, quartz and smoky quartz.
Why these in particular?
They occur most frequently in our area, and that is the main reason.
Is this an individual hobby, or do you work in a group?
I search on my own; only from time to time does my brother or a friend help me.
What are your plans for the future?
I have to complete my post-secondary Geological Studies and then look for work related to my interests. If I do not find such work, all of this will remain my hobby, and I will certainly strive to expand my collection. In the near future, above all, I need to acquire the appropriate equipment.
How do you distinguish the stones?
It takes some practice. I did not find my first agate until my fourth attempt in Płuczki, and that was by chance.
Thank you for the interview.
We invite readers to follow his example and wish them successful collecting.