Wake County Almandine

[crystaldigger]

Yeah, yeah, I know it's not exactly "Mountain Area" but hey, it's as good as I could get to at the time.
There's a road cut on route 98 outside of Wake Forest that has some small nicely formed garnets. You can sift through the shallow topsoil or go at it in the bare rock. Here's a link in case you're interested - hkentcraig.com/GarnetHill.html
I've gone up a couple times after work for kicks and have pulled out many many small ones with a few larger (1/2") ones that were in excellent shape. I'll post pics when I can. Not the most exciting thing but it's relatively easy pickin's and if you take home some larger mica matrix pieces, you'll probably find more stuff inside.

[dr00bie]

Are the garnets really "gem-quality"? The pics on the page you included were a little too fuzzy for me to tell.

Thanks,
Drew

[crystaldigger]

The stuff I've dug up, I'd have to say mostly not. But I'm no expert. They are deep colored but the clarity isn't very good in my opinion. At least in the ones I've found. I've worked a couple of seams for some stuff to send back "home" and some I'll keep myself due to their either unique formation/shape or their overall crystal form - some are well shaped & no detach marks or incomplete. But I personally can't see too many getting cut and some are just way too small I think. Maybe some could be polished up or something though. I'll post some pics when I get home and you can see for yourself.
I've got garnet chunks from Gore Mtn in New York State that were much much clearer that would have a better chance of being "gem quality." As far as the pics that were on the website - yeah I know they were pretty lame but hey, I didn't take 'em!

[eddiel]

Last year I collected about 2 lbs. and they had nice color but none were of gem-quality.
ED

[crystaldigger]

There ya go. Maybe they had some decent stuff there a while ago. Maybe the guy doesn't know what he's talking about either. I couldn't tell ya. His web page that it's associated with isn't exactly dedicated to rockhounds. More like a "something you can do if you want to" page. Anyway, I just thought I'd mention it for those who want something to collect and compare, especially those more easterly, like myself. And who knows, maybe something good will pop up eventually for somebody!

[dr00bie]

I appreciate your post, and have seen that site before, but it seemed that the specimens pictured weren't what I would call gem-quality. I'll just have to stop by next time I'm around Raliegh.

Thanks,
Drew

[lee]

I live about 5 miles for the "Garnet Hill" site and have visited it several times. To my knowledge, the site is a wonderful place to carry children and folks who are new to our hobby because there are so many garnets to be collected. I have never found a garnet at this site which is considered gem quality; but there may be some deeper in the schist. Most of the ones I have found have been degraded and are not clear. I'm sure that all who visit the site have a great time due to the great number of red garnets - That's what our hobby is all about.

Lee

[crystaldigger]

the two on the left are slices from gore mtn and all the rest are whole xls from wake forest. If you get close enough you can see the color on the slices but the rest are really dark. If you actually see them first hand, the slices held up to the light are quite nice. This was taken from my scanner as trying to take a photo with my lame camera would've proven fruitless.

[dr00bie]

Yeah, you can really see the difference... I bet when they are in hand, it is even more drastic.

Where is Gore Mtn?

Drew

[crystaldigger]

Sorry for the delay...

Gore Mtn is in upstate NY in the middle of the Adirondacks. It's more known locally for its skiing but it actually is home to the largest industrial garnet facility in the world. Produces 90% of the garnet on the market, or so we were told.

You can actually tour the old mine which is of course a bunch of huge pits filled with water but you get to sift for chunks of garnet and keep what you find - except the boulders. They have a small gift shop and they give you a history of the mine and what to look for etc.

[sapphiregirl]

Just thought you guys would want to know that we got some good friends hooked on gemstone mining. They vacationed in your area last week and had a ball. So now we have some new rock hounds which is great because I am so glad they had fun.