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Post by dr00bie on May 14, 2004 23:46:30 GMT -5
A friend of mine found this off of the Blue Ridge Parkway near the VA line. We were wondering what it was. It looked like it may be garnet when I first looked at it, but the "crystals" are black.  This is the whole specimen. The specimen is 6" x 7"  This is the closeup. If anyone can give me a clue, please do. We are planning on going back, me and him, on Sunday. If someone would like to meet us, we will be going around 3 or so in the afternoon. It is located near Sparta on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Thanks, Drew |
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Post by Doug on May 16, 2004 11:51:48 GMT -5
Hard to tell but there is a lot of schorl tourmaline all around the parkway. Be VERY careful that you are OFF THE PARKWAY when you collect. It could prove to be some expensive specimens otherwise.
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Post by dr00bie on May 17, 2004 22:34:27 GMT -5
A friend of mine is in town, he is a geology student from James Madison University. He said that it looked like mica schist with garnets. I found it in Doughton Park about 10 miles south of Sparta on the Parkway. There is a lot of quartz crystal (i think) none of it looks like a crystal though, it is just like sheets of quartz, but some of it is as clear as glass. We went back up there on Sunday, and had a great time looking through the rocks, although the steep incline was hell on my back. I found a few specimens and carefully brought them home. I will bring a specimen for furthur examination whenever I make it to one of the field trips.
Hey Doug, where is the tourmaline at? If it is close, I would like to hit it up this weekend. Thanks!
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Post by dr00bie on May 18, 2004 16:08:34 GMT -5
I think I have IDed this mineral, with Doug's help....
I think it is Tourmaline Mica Schist... One of the crystals fell out of the matrix into my hand today, and I got to looking at it. It is black, the biggest face is about 3 mm. I searched for "tourmaline mica schist" on Google and the specimens that were shown were in the schist horizontally, the ones in my specimen are small pieces. It may be the schorl tourmaline as Doug said, although the only pics I've been able to turn up show bigger specimens... Would there be any worth to this mineral if it is what I think it is? Not that I care, just wondering.
Thanks,
Drew
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Post by Doug on May 18, 2004 17:58:13 GMT -5
Come out to the Ray Mine this weekend and bring your sample with you! Check the field trip plan from Fearless Leader Rick and come on out. There is plenty of schorl tourmaline and even some dark green to be found there. It is a good hike to a great location and plenty of material to bring down the mountain. It is a fairly easy dig going into the bank of mine spoil at the top of the hill. You might get lucky and find some of the elusive beryl or a feldspar crystal like I got last time out.
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Post by dr00bie on May 18, 2004 21:09:54 GMT -5
I'm biting at the bit to come on a field trip with you guys, and my friend has asked me everyday about it. We'll see about this weekend...
Drew
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Post by dr00bie on May 22, 2004 22:43:58 GMT -5
And the answer is.....
Magnetite in Mica Schist
That's all folks...
Drew
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Post by 41dave on May 23, 2004 0:49:15 GMT -5
had a great time meetin ya'll today. drew...here's my email address..
greendave41@yahoo.com
-dave
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