Rockhounding Blog
While rockhounding and hiking outside Cleveland, Georgia on the morning of August 14, 2020, spotted, and was spotted by, a young black bear. He stared for a little while, I froze, and then he ran off. A magnificent sight to behold!
While rockhounding in Chester, Massachusetts, I discovered a strange Neo-Classical structure out in the middle of the woods. It had a very well manicured base of rocks, almost like an inviting entrance. The doors were stuck so unable to enter from the front. In the back however, there was a missing plank. I stuck in my hand with my cell phone and snapped these pictures.
This is in an area where there were mines long ago, so mayeb this has something to do with the old mines that once flourished in Chester? There is a pit and it was walled off with wooden planks. There were no markings or writings on the walls. Frankly, I am surprised it is still standing.
As always, contact American Geode through the website if you have comments, or can help us identify what in the hell is this little Neo-Classical structure.
http://www.americangeode.com
Rockhounding in Massachusetts took us to Chester, Massachusetts, the home of many former emery mines. Now we were not searching those old abandoned mines this day, but we had the privilege of exploring private property that was full of outrcrops, even better. The area was in the same general region as the old emery mines that populated Chester back in the early 20th century and the 19th century. That emery mining operation was long gone, but traces and ruins remained. The property where we stayed sat behind a 200 year old farmhouse, and the land had never been explored. American Geode were in heaven. This rockhound adventure was planned well in advance, so we had all the tools, mosquito coils, walking stick, bug spray, and nourishment required to make a long day out rockhounding.
As the photos show, we discovered some great veins of quartz, and a marvelous specimen of calcite or fluorite, we need to examine it more closely once it is cleaned up.
Please look at the other blog entries about rockhounding sites in Massachusetts. We found more than just outcrops.
In summary, we recommend going to Chester, Massachusetts if you keep low and depress your expectations. Emery is not the sexiest mineral to acquire or sell, and we did not find anything wildly extraordinary, but it is a famous locale, and a beautiful part of Massachusetts.
http://www.americangeode.com
As always, contact American Geode through the website for question about rockhound sites in Massachusetts, or any other rockhounding questions.
Middle of July, American Geode had the opportunity to leave New York City and visit a famous rockhound site in Massachusetts. Specifically in Chester, Massachusetts, American Geode spent a day looking for an old emery mine, known as the Old Mine.
The Chester, Massachusetts is known for at least 6 mines in the 19th century and early 20th century. The primary mineral was the industrial abrasive emery. It took a moment to realize this is the reason why those nail files are called Emery Boards. It was a genuine “Ah-Ha” moment as for the longest time I had never given second thought to why an emery board was called an emery board. If you has asked me years ago, I would have said that the inventor’s surname was Emery.
So some friends and I went to the park in Chester, Massachusetts that marks the entrance to the location of the old emery mines of Chester.
While we did not find any emery, we saw the remnants and ruins of a mining operation. The area is along a river, which makes sense, and the hike and trail, and fresh air are very refreshing. We would consider this an easy to moderate rockhound location as tools are required, but there are a lot of loose rocks and overflow from the old mining operations to examine and crack. As always, contact American Geode directly through the American Geode homepage to learn more about rockhounding sites in Massachusetts, and other rockhounding sites in the United States.
#GetOutandRockhound
http://www.americangeode.com
https://www.grassycreekgemshow.org/en/
2020 Grassy Creek Gem and Mineral Show
This is a legendary show!!!!!!! 8 days long! This is the “Gold Standard” for a great gem, mineral, fossil, jewelry, and lapidary show!!!!!
The 36th Annual Grassy Creek Mineral & Gem Show will be held Sunday July 26th through Sunday August 2nd from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, once again at 136 Majestic View, Spruce Pine, NC (the field above Spruce Pine Chevrolet). The Grassy Creek Mineral and Gem Show is put on by the Parkway Fire and Rescue to raise money for new equipment. Over 65 US and International dealers have almost any kind of jewelry, gemstone and mineral specimens, fossil, lapidary equipment and more you might want. Each booth is 20 foot by 40 foot so there are LOTS of items for sale. Many vendors will be open earlier and later than the posted hours because they are staying with their booth. Some vendors may be open on Saturday July 25th also. Parking and admission are free. Food is available.
If you would like more info on local Mineral shows and rockhound clubs click on the American Geode News page for up to date listings and links to Gem Show, Mineral Show, and Fossil Show announcements. American Geode updates our rockhound news twice an hour and showcase the top mineral shows and rockhound news in the USA and the World. Also, follow American Geode on Twitter for even more rockhound events, commentary, and laughable quips from American Geode. https://twitter.com/AmericanGeode
https://www.ebay.com/usr/americangeode