The rocks, usually collected from the dump piles of local mines, are provided by the bucket full, so youll have plenty to sort through. Copyright 2022 Rockhound Resource | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Havey, Trenton, Square Pit, and Alice Staples Quarries near Topsham, Harvard, Tamminen, and Waisanen Quarries, near Greenwood, Ryerson Hill Quarry & Crocker Hill Mines, near Paris, Baldpate Mountain, in pegmatites and float, Rockhounding on Public Land: Laws and Regulations, Can You Collect Rocks in State Parks? If youre not particularly into hard-rock collecting or digging around in quarries you can also do some beach combing on public beaches. 358 were here. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Geryl, Biotite, Columbite, Mica, Aquamarine, Chalcopyrite, Schorl, Quartz, Zircon, Elbaite, Thorogummite, etc. The Deer Hill location has produced a large amount of amethyst (purple quartz) along with many other minerals, including feldspars of many varieties, beryl, garnet, columbite, pyrite, and muscovite. I read about bringing bug spray but totally forgot to bring some. Apatite Reviews: 4.5/5. DACF Home I think my best find was a 15-pound quartz crystal from the Bennett Quarry in Buckfield.. UScellular donates $28,150 in wireless hotspots and service to Penquis Community Action Program, UMaine system chancellors new contract shows rocky relations with trustees, Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society, Oxford County Mineral and Gem Association, Invasive fish that took over lakes now threatens the rest of Maine, Auburn police seize more than 30 pounds of fentanyl, This Maine ski town may crack down on short-term rentals, Small Aroostook town has mishandled tax records for years, state says, Spring storm will batter Maine with winds up to 55 mph, Maine sees regional high school as model despite failed attempts, Supreme Court looks ready to ax Maine law letting governments profit from home seizures, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Maine's surface geology is full of high-quality pegmatites. And chisels are useful for more delicate work, such as carving gems out of surrounding rock. Some of the Maine pegmatites are classified as complex pegmatitesthat is they contain more than just the basic quartz, mica, and feldspar elements of pegmatitic graniteand those are famous for tourmaline, a mineral that occurs as green, pink, blue or multicolored prismatic crystals. Please contact American Geode directly with any questions; pictures and videos are below, as well as a map for you to download. Apatite on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Mt. 3 0 obj Share sensitive information only Popular specimens that you can find include flint, geodes, granite, agates, bloodstone, graphite, slate, schist, marble, greenstone, quartz monzonite, hornfels, limestone, and others. Knoxville Gem & Mineral Society 2021 Show! Be safe, never go underground, and make sure to get permission from the landowner to search for and collect specimens. Once you're done collecting your gems and minerals, check out some of the awesome programming Earthdance offers such as arts nights, dance classes and barefoot discos. The Bibliography is part of the Maps and Publications Search. Ocean rocks belong to everyone, not just to whoever picks them up first. more. The club holds monthly meetings at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum once a month. A convenient destination is Auburn/Lewiston Municipal Airport, right on the edge of the collecting zone and about 10 miles from the mining camp, with precision and RNAV instrument approaches. dacf@maine.gov Got distracted by the tranquility and nature. You can also All rights reserved. Remains of the mining activity are still present on site, 71 White Mountain Drive LockA locked padlock How to go rockhounding for Maine gems and crystals - Bangor Daily News The public is more than welcome to join the meetings and listen to the informative discussions. If you wear glasses these are very good for keeping your lenses clean, too. The Norway Historical Society also has a fine display of local minerals. They have access to many mines there such as Mt. Gloves and safety glasses are recommended, along with chisels, small shovels, and any additional tools that may come in handy. American Geode went on a rockhounding (and foodie) tour of Maine in May 2018, and found the quarries very accessible, easy to find, and full of mica. Loring Cove in Perry is another prime location, with the potential to find agates, calcite, malachite, analcime, prehnite, amethyst, bloodstone, chalcedony, and various quartz specimens. Located in Androscoggin County, Maine, the Camps has been serving the interests and enthusiasm of rockhounds of every age and level of experience since the 1960s. Always be mindful of sneaker waves and never get caught on rock outcroppings with an incoming tide. Feldspar, Quartz, Topaz, Phenakite, Garnet, etc. Maybe Ill see you at breakfast. Several of the miners often join the mining-camp crowd for supper and may show their latest discoveries. Pink, green and blue tourmaline, aquamarine beryl and deep red garnet, purple amethyst and sparkling lepidolite they all lie buried in Maine granite. Go left onto the Conant Trail and follow the trail for 0.3 miles to the Lord Hill summit. Go in at the ball field and national guard station off Garfield Rd. Concentrating on granite pegmatite collecting, we also have a few . This way, you dont have to conduct your own research or invest in any equipment. A lot of people will bring kids with them, and they get hooked, Turcotte said. From the South: From Maine Route 5 in Lovell, Maine turn west onto West Lovell Road and cross the narrows at Kezar Lake continuing to the right for approximately 2.75 mi. My interest grewspurred on by some beginners luck in the rock pilesand I benefited from living near enough to camp to make frequent visits. If youre rockhounding in the quarry wall, you can uncover gem pockets. (FR9 - closed seasonally) 4.7 mi from NH 113 to the Horseshoe Pond Trail. Even if you dont find gems of value, the experience of sifting through rocks is fun in and of itself, Turcotte said. Among the rockhounding ambassadors of the region, best known as Maine's Granite Pegmatite Belt, are Mary Groves, her family, and volunteers of Poland Mining Camps. Best sites for rock collecting? - Acadia National Park Forum Oxford County Mineral and Gem Society awards scholarships when the funds allow, which provides the youth the opportunity to get into mineralogical and geology careers without the financial burden. This process combined the igneous and sedimentary rocks and the heat changed the mineral composition (Jensen 1960) (Shuttlesworth, 1963). Maine Rockhounding - Collecting Site for Rare Crystals & Gems Club meetings are open to the public, and anyone is invited and encouraged to attend. Legal Aspects of Rock, Mineral, and Fossil Collecting The clubs monthly meetings are held on the third Friday of every month, and visitors are not only welcome but encouraged to stop in. Most of Maines gems and rare minerals are found in a coarse-grained variety of granite called pegmatite, according to a Virtual Tour of Maine Minerals created by the Maine Geological Survey. The Lord Hill mine is an open depression in the top of the hill. ":h)&KLvf,sGeC?4{_mZr4X5F23e#-4vyY3v*1SK _{ bR3u Ri Pe)l4+H T4@i^t mORlm[SL[5/-.^Cp`{nX5-C8Y4 }GRYq!e6DxqV JAHg KH#$r*`}(K(S3,a1Bc)QWMn'Y2muT%essx8y! Phone: (207) 287-3200 The trail is a gradual uphill climb to the intersection with the Conant Trail. The Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society, for example, will be organizing about 15 field trips for rockhounding this year, including an overnight trip to seek fluorescent minerals with lights. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "rockhoundreso-20"; A prime example is the Porcupine Hill Quarry. People will always find something to take home, Kroenke said of rockhounding. website belongs to an official government organization in the For collectors who want to go home with a prepared souvenir, Creaser Jewelers in South Paris, Maine, is a must-stop destination of the Maine mining scene, specializing in jewelry made from locally mined gems. In addition to mines and quarries, there are countless old prospects and rocky outcrops which have long been frequented by collectors. Its also possible to arrange to tag along on a day trip if you only expect to be in the area for a short time. Bean in Freeport are within convenient travel distance from the mining district. Albite, Beryl, Tourmaline (green elbaite), Fluorapatite (blue, purple), Feldspar, Mica, Quartz, Garnet (spessartine), Sphalerite, Spodumene (crystals), etc. Good luck! Augusta, ME 04333 The big thing about being a member of a rock club is you can get into places [to rockhound] that you cant get into as an individual, Hoffelder said. Nka Blue Grade Rd, East Wenatchee, WA 98802. Mining In Oxford County, Maine | The Diggings Not too sure. These pegmatites are essentially volcanic intrusions with unusually large crystals and they make for the perfect source rock for collectors. Each of these states has distinguishing geology that will be of interest to . Rockhounds can find feldspar, tourmaline, garnet, quartz, topaz, jasper, rubies, pearls, gold, opal, aquamarine, and many other high-quality pieces. It still is, around the world, but of course, things in the US get expensive.. Chalcedony, jasper, prehnite, bornite, gold, galena, epidote, beryl, muscovite, garnet, scheelite, hornblende, and various other mineral specimens can be found throughout Maine. Garnet (almandine), Beryl, Biotite, Fluorapatite, Microcline, Muscovite, Quartz, Schorl. the recreational lands map from the Maine Department of Conservation. It is highly advised to put these items in protective zip lock bags to PROTECT from dirt and mud. and park BEFORE the gate, take a hike up through some amazing trees and into an unused mine. We came for the rock hunting. OCMGA holds a gem show during the second week of July at the Telstar High School gym. 113 in Stow, Maine turn right onto Deer Hill Rd (FR9). Mostly patridge at the end of my barrel. The most useful tools are sturdy hammers for breaking rocks open, and a small shovel for digging through piles of broken rock on the waste piles of mines and quarries. The love for rocks, minerals, fossils, and precious stones has made rockhounding a popular hobby in New England. Perham is the storyteller extraordinaireand yes, the mineral perhamite is named in his honor. Mineral Collecting at PMC Other locations are open but at a fee, and some are only open to specific clubs. Please check out more states for thousands of additional sites to go rockhounding! You get out in the fresh air, he said, and theres something about digging in the dirt that just makes you happy., Aislinn Sarnacki is a Maine outdoors writer and the author of three Maine hiking guidebooks including Family Friendly Hikes in Maine. Find her on Twitter and Facebook @1minhikegirl. Taking samples in Maine State Parks is prohibited without special permission. A few families were using the area to teach science to their youngsters which was great to see (even if they scared off all the tadpoles). Copyright 2021 Please read and comply with the conditions stated on the permit. The best places to rockhound in Maine are in old quarries and mines in the southwestern part of the state, particularly sites like Deer Hill, Lord Hill, Tamminen and Waisanen quarries, Mount Apatite, and Pingree Ledge quarry. Additionally, filming your finds can be a great way to record you adventure. Dudy (pronounced Duddy) Groves died in 2005, but Mary Groves and a committed corps of volunteers are keeping his dream alive. The Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society feature a free youth program with a family membership to the club. Maybe a lot, maybe nothing. Maines surface geology is full of high-quality pegmatites. Apatite, Auburn: Address, Mt. Volume 2: Mining History, Gems, and Geology, Gemstones -- An Overview of Production of Specific U.S. Gemstones, Prospecting for Gold in the United States. The little town of Paris, in Oxford County, Maine, is an excellent intersection between a few different rockhounding sites. Quartz, Feldspar, Beryl, Mica, Tourmaline. (Hint: Summer Saturdays are usually lobster night.). Some of the best areas to go rockhounding in Maine include the old mines and quarries in the southwestern region of the state and the beaches along the Atlantic coast. The Maine State Museum in Augusta contains an exhibit of superb tourmalines and other crystals and gems from Maine. That being said, before you go exploring and collecting any new locations, its essential to obtain permission and know if there are any restrictions. FindingRocks.com - Poland Mining Camps - Maine It is accessible from either the north or south by hiking trails. If done with care, rockhounding can be a great family activity. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Autunite, Beryl (golden), Aquamarine, Mica, Columbite, Fluorapatite, Feldspar, Quartz (milky, rose, smoky), Schorl, Zircon, etc. Important Disclaimer: I have not been to these locations myself, and I do not know if they are currently open for collecting. The majority of these locations are my interpretation of Robert Bestes A Location Guide for Rock Hounds in the United States. connected to the .gov website. These special types of hammers often available at local hardware stores are designed for working with rock. Joining this club gives members insight into some of the best equipment for gold prospecting and the information necessary for anyone to get started on their prospecting journey. Gem-quality specimens are found now and then, but even an opaque tourmaline crystal embedded in transparent quartz, or in a fine-grained lavender pegmatite mica called lepidolite, will look great on your coffee table. This site is devoted to sharing my love of rocks with you. can I take a walker with me to help my balance and to rest on if needed I have parkensions and don't think I could walk a half mile, Mt. Gemstone hunting in Maine - AOPA If you head near Bucks Harber, youll find Jasper Beach, which is an excellent location in Maine to find reddish jasper specimens. Jasper Beach In Maine Has Amazing Multi-Colored Rocks - OnlyInYourState Mary Groves arranges each days field trip in advance to a selected quarry where collectible, even world-class specimens of tourmaline, beryl, quartz, fluorapatite, spodumene, garnet, and other minerals are sought. The book includes more than 30 locations in Maine, including the Harvard, Waisanen and Tamminen quarries in Greenwood. The Greenlaw dumps are also the most favorable area in which to find traces of green and blue-green tourmaline (Figure 3), though collectors have already gathered up most of the obvious pieces. Or cat fish? In the state of Maine, you can find sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Other outdoor recreational opportunities abound in the area including camping, hiking, and biking. Mica, Mount Apatite (Pulsifer, Hole-in-the-Ground and Keith quarries), the Emmons Quarry, Pitts Tenney. Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are many ways to go rockhounding in Maine, but the crowd I run with makes its home base at a unique camp for mineral collectors built by a self-taught Maine mining man who had a dream of creating a place where others could come to enjoy and learn about mineral collecting. You look forward to the field trips and digging with your friends.. Maine is home to a handful of active geology and mineral clubs. From the North: Follow Deer Hill Rd. connected to the .gov website. However, some sites were closed off due to intense activity and other reasons. Meteorites in Maine: Is the sky falling??? You might also find mica, albite, columbite, fluorite, fluorapatite, feldspar, and almandine garnets. Traces of gold have been detected in widely scattered bedrock ore deposits, but most gold prospectors wash the gravel from stream beds in search of nuggets. The club has two field trips a month, where they visit different localities. A member of the Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society holds up a piece of blue-green tourmaline found while on a field trip at Havey Quarry in Poland, Maine. Turn right onto Richardson Hollow Road and continue 0.40 mile to parking area on the right. Maine is one of New Englands most popular rock-hounding locations. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Autunite, Beryl, Mica, Columbite, Fluorapatite, Feldspar, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite, Quartz (milky, smoky), Sphalerite, Zircon, etc. amzn_assoc_linkid = "aac5e87b1ca95eb9841c18e11fbbd48f"; Traveling as a group helps encourage safe practices out in the field. Tip: Check out my Complete Rockhounding Guide for tips on planning your rockhounding trip and getting the most out of your time in the field! Above all, private property should be respected, and the owner's permission should be obtained where possible before entering a collecting site. Permits can be obtained at the trailhead. Freddie Mercury's 'exquisite clutter' collection for sale Graphite, Molybdenite, Pyrite, Quartz (clear, milky), Sericite, Albite, Garnet (almandine), Arsenopyrite, Beryl, Columbite, Feldspar, Schorl, etc. NOT Fancy, No Bathrooms or facility's and make sure you brink drinking water. The locations and information contained in this article are primarily derived from academic papers, online resources, and other outside sources. This is a great resource for anyone who loves rockhounding, from beginners to experts alike! Mosquito coils last for hours and will burn away into ash. Search for minerals in these rock fragments or in the walls of the mine. Before we dig really deep, lets take a peek at some of the prime rock-hounding locations in Maine. Whether youre interested in mining or detecting, theres something for everyone. More by Aislinn Sarnacki, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). I started showing up at camp, as the regulars know Poland Mining Camps, 20 years ago as a rookie mineral collector who didnt know a garnet from a gahnite or an elbaite from an albite. Campton NH 03223, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=79453, White Mountain Recreation Fee Program Accomplishments. To arrange a visit for rock and mineral collecting, contact the Earthdance Mineral Coordinator at minerals . Driving: From jct. July 17, 2017. Plenty of other walkers with dogs on these trails periodically. One of the most common questions rockhounds have is whether or not they are allowed to collect at a certain location. The number one thing to remember while collecting rocks on ocean beaches are the tides. However, if it is geodes youre after, youll have more luck if you explore the quarries in Washington and Hancock counties. However, I have compiled a list of resources here so that you may investigate and obtain permission for any locations (found here or elsewhere) for yourself. Mine For Gems And Rocks At Earthdance In Massachusetts 4 0 obj Nowadays, feldspar and mica are no longer mined in Maine. Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground runs a sluice seasonally, as does Dig Maine Gems. Re: Best locations for rock . Newcomers are always joining inand it only takes a return trip to be pronounced a regular. Some owners of mines and quarries will allow clubs to rockhound on parts of their property chiefly their dump piles for a fee, but they wont allow individuals to do the same. Light aircraft arent any better than the airlines for hauling home your rocks and mining tools. Collectors interested in access to Maine mineral collecting sites should contact one of the, Bibliography of Maine Geology - For those interested in more in-depth research, the Bibliography of Maine Geology contains more than 12,000 references related to Maine geology. These mineral collecting areas are relatively easy to access and offer a wide variety of rocks and minerals including albite, tourmaline, amethyst, feldspar, and quartz. to the mine. Like pilots, mineral collectors love to share their activity and their know-how. You will see lots of shallow holes that mineral collectors have dug in the rock piles. This site contains affiliate links to products. Go to a rock show or visit a major natural history museum anywhere, and you are likely to encounter specimens from the Maine pegs. Or you could get yourself to Maine and start a collection of your own. Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry Follow Deer Hill Road 2.2 miles to the Deer Hill Mineral Site trailhead. 1 0 obj Theyll take you to a site, supply you with hand tools and offer assistance in mineral identification. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. We do some field trips in New Hampshire, but 90 percent of our trips are in Maine.. They feel as though learning how to correctly identify the locations that are best for gold panning is a matter of knowing what to look for before you waste time digging and experience. A few basic tools are helpful in collecting minerals. You should place a call to family and loved ones before heading out and if you are running late. These minerals formed as part of widespread igneous intrusions, and were subsequently exposed by recent glacial activity which stripped away everything above them. However, the hike was very pleasant and the quarries were very interesting. DACF Home Bureaus & Programs Maine Geological Survey Explore Maine Geology Mineral Collecting in Maine Mineral Collecting in Maine. This bundle of information includes a book, videos, and online tools. Sluices are also a feature at many mineral and gem events, such as the New England Mineral Conference thats held annually at Sunday River. I have written entire articles which cover the rockhounding laws and regulations for nearly every type of public land you can think of. Report inappropriate content . To get to this area you park near a military installation which is a bit unusual. As for the rock hunting we found a lot of mica, some black tourmaline, some matrixed garnet but nothing jewel quality or green tourmaline. Like pilots, mineral collectors love to share their activity and their know-how. Everyone approaches rockhounding in their own way, with their own goals. A majority of them are marine animals like gastropods, bivalves, brachiopods, corals, crinoids, and trilobites. United States. Mineral collecting is an inexpensive hobby that can be enjoyed by all age groups, and offers the fringe benefits of outdoor recreation and the opportunity to learn about earth science. It was a warm humid day, about 82 degrees. You never know what youre going to find. Vintage Fire Truck Sightseeing Tour of Portland Maine, Luxury Catamaran Sailing Charters in Maine, Downtown Portland, Maine City and Lighthouse Tour-2.5 hour Land Tour, Old Port Culinary Walking Tour from Portland, Portland Bicycle Tour with 5 Lighthouse Stops and XL Lobster Roll, The Real Portland Tour: City and 3 Lighthouses Historical Tour with a Real Local, Acadia National Park and Camden Private Day Trip from Portland, Donut Tasting Walking Tour in Portlands Old Port, First Round Draft Brewery Bus Tour in Portland, Oyster Farm & Tasting Sea Kayak Tour in Casco Bay, 2-Hour Portland Hidden Histories Walking Tour. The club holds field trips from May through October, and members are notified of any upcoming field trips in the clubs newsletter. If youre not interested in those minerals, no worries. <> Heres hoping you have fun and find something nice. You wouldnt want to be breaking laws or trespassing. The number of potential collecting sites here makes it an excellent location for those interested not only in rocks, but also minerals that can be found within them! Fax: (207) 287-2400 These are mostly comprised of beaches, outcrops, old mining prospects, washes, streams, and historically known rock and mineral collecting sites. New Hampshire Rockhounding Location Guide & Map Irving Dudy Groves and his wife, Mary, built Poland Mining Camps, in Poland, Maine, pretty much by hand several decades ago. Collection of valuable rocks and gemstones is quite fascinating for some people, and every year, Maine welcomes an uncountable number of geologists on its lands. Copyright 2021 The walk is uphill and has stray rocks in the path so be careful if walking is difficult for you. Many of the best minerals in Maine are found in an igneous rock called "pegmatite", which is a very coarse-grained granite. Veteran visitors use U.S. If youre on the hunt for fossils, Maines bedrock holds preserved fossils dating back from 500 to 360 million years ago. For a short time this location was mined for feldspar but was not profitable. Lord Hill is a granite pegmatite that was mined commercially for feldspar at one time. Rockhounding in Maine is a great way to discover the states diverse geology and fossilized wildlife. Best locations for rock collecting - Camden Forum - Tripadvisor I had to literally drag my wife out of the rock pits on 2 different occasions. Bureaus & Programs Maine Geological Survey Explore Maine Geology Mineral Collecting in Maine. Though there are many locations listed here, this list is far from exhaustive. Long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves will help protect you from being scraped by sharp rocks while also preventing sunburn and bug bites. ( Doing so can put you in touch with others who may have lesser-known locations to check out. Historic Mining Records (USGS) Oxford has 146 identified mines listed in The Diggings. Notable minerals and rocks in Maine Gemstones and minerals are found abundantly in Maine. Rockhound Sites in Maine, Tulip City Gem & Mineral Club presents their 49th Annual Show: Agates are Superior! in Holland, Michigan. Family memberships include two adults and all children under 18 years of age. Meetings typically feature a program revolving around the aspects of rock and mineral collecting.
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