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Post by amiata on Jan 8, 2009 12:44:18 GMT -5
New to this unless you count 20 years ago rock hunting with my parents in southeastern US as a young kid. I would like to take my 8 year old on a vacation this summer that would include hunting some gemstone/rocks. She seems very interested since she watches the treasure hunters on TV. I would like to drive from PA to some sites that are within a 5-7 day vacation. I don't want all salted mines since we can do that at any local tourist attraction. but I will need to keep her attention. Any suggestions?
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Post by pegmatite on Jan 9, 2009 20:00:17 GMT -5
Depends a little on which part of Pennsylvania you're in, but some ideas might include the Franklin/Sterling Hill areas in New Jersey which have incredible fluorescent minerals. Do an internet search for the Franklin Mineral Museum or Sterling Hill Mineral Museum for more details, We are in the process of planning a New England trip for this summer that will include several sites in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine. You would be welcome to join us at any of those collecting sites. More details will be posted here as they develop.
She would probably love any of the extended collecting trips the group makes to the Diamond Hill Mine in South Carolina and you may be able to arrange a visit to JXR for amethyst during that same period. The Clement Mineral Museum, at Marion Kentucky, has a two day gem and mineral show in June. You could visit the museum, attend the show, and have multiple sites you could field collect at during the weekend.
Check out the past trip reports on the MAGMA website for details on MAGMA Roundups and other field trips. The Roundup is a big member get together with collecting and coincides with a big gem and mineral show in Western North Carolina. I'm sure other folks will have more ideas.
Steve
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dar135
Senior Member
Posts: 31
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Post by dar135 on Mar 3, 2009 6:30:27 GMT -5
Have you thought of Herkemer diamonds in NY? If you deceide to go the best mine is the Ace, also outside Fowler NY is a talc mine and they dump calcite by the road for people to pick up, the main color is blue but we have found some purple and pink. Have agreat vacation where ever you go.
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Post by bigkat1951 on Oct 5, 2009 9:20:52 GMT -5
Do you know where we can find garnets in PA or NY?
Where is the best places in Eastern US to find really good gems.
Herkimer Diamond Mines have given us the "Bug" for digging and finding our own real finds, not "salted"
We were thinking of taking a trip to Hiddenite NC for a few days the middle of October, however after reading this blog - Franklin NC sounds like fun also!
Any good advice - we are new to this!
Thanks,
KAT
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Post by Doug on Oct 13, 2009 11:26:33 GMT -5
I advise staying away from Hiddenite unless you have private land to hunt on. The commercial "mine" there is HEAVILY salted with material from Brazil. I mean salted to the point people find London Blue Topaz in the CREEK THAT RUNS THROUGH.
Think Diamond Hill, JXR, Little Pine Garnet, Crabtree, Ray Mine and so many of the others that we try to get to regularly. Check through past field trip reports and there is a wealth of information there. If you go further west go to the Cherokee Mine and Mason Mine for unsalted commercial. You could also go to Chunky Gal for the ruby in smaragdite if you feel bold and like sledge hammers.
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