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Post by looknfergold on Apr 14, 2006 7:16:43 GMT -5
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andiroth
Full Member
Must find pretty rocks!!
Posts: 15
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Post by andiroth on Apr 14, 2006 11:58:35 GMT -5
very nice!
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Post by romare on Apr 14, 2006 12:08:17 GMT -5
Part of it is training your eye to recognize certain shapes and textures. Of course you will spend a lot of time looking down and miss birds and trees and such sometimes! I think all of us who have done this for a while can relate to the notion that you seem to have to put in some time before the signs become more obvious and it becomes easier (sometimes) to find things. Of course there are places like Diamond Hill in SC where you cannot avoid finding quartz crystals, you will trip over them while walking. NC also has a tremendous amount of crystallized quartz near and often on the surface. New construction sites, road grades and other places where the top layers of earth have been removed are prime places to prospect as it is much easier to see the veins of quartz and associated minerals and how they are arranged. It is also helpful to have more knowledgeable folks show you the ropes. Go with us on one of our expeditions and you'll see. In fact, there is a trip tomorrow to the Woodleaf Quarry which is pretty close to you. I am not sure who all is going, but we're all pretty nice people and you'll be welcomed by the group. Be aware that tomorrow's trip wil require hard hat, safety shoes, and safety glasses as it is a working quarry. I can't make it but I believe our fearless leader Rick Jacquot might be attending.
Mark
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Post by pegmatite on Apr 14, 2006 12:08:57 GMT -5
Nice specimens. Wish I could have made that trip. I personally prefer matrix specimens because they provide some context of where a particular mineral is found and over time can sometimes really help you develop a search image of where to look for something. Also consider the potential damage you could do trying to remove it from its matrix and weigh that against your desire to free it or trim it significantly. Unfortunately things don't always go according to plan when trimming specimens. I am always braver about trimming specimens once I have a lot of them.
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Post by dr00bie on Apr 14, 2006 20:05:08 GMT -5
I agree with pegmatite... unless you plan on working it (facet or cab), I would leave it in the matrix... I think it is more aesthetic than out of matrix.
Drew
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Post by looknfergold on Apr 18, 2006 19:15:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. I think I'll leave it as is. Like pegmatite, I'll wait for more. Now I gotta get out and find em!
David
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Post by pegmatite on Apr 18, 2006 20:23:19 GMT -5
Although I haven't been able to make my first trip with the group yet, it's clear if finding them is the goal, you're in good company.
Steve
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