American Geode talks to youngsters about geodes and Indiana geology


American Geode speaks to youngsters
American Geode speaks to youngsters

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American Geode spoke in spring of 2016 to a group of youngsters in Indianapolis, Indiana about the geodes from the Hoosier state, and the geology of Indiana, formed by the glaciers that sat atop the state during the Ice Age. Indiana geodes and Midwest minerals, gems and geodes are the specialty of American Geode. We visit rural and remote Indiana at least once a year to excavate the sedimentary geodes that washed out from the world famous limestone found in Southern Indiana.
For more information about geodes, gems, minerals and geology, please go to American Geode.
We are a source of geodes, minerals, gems, and fossils for collectors, academics in geology and paleontology, museums, and even interior design professionals. Rockhounding for unusual geodes, beautiful minerals, rare gems, and beautiful exotic crystals with positive energy keep us motivated. Some of our favorite finds are Indiana Geodes, NY Herkimer Diamonds, Connecticut Garnets, Kyanite, and Apache Peridot. We use a variety of tools for rockhounding including crack hammers, sledge hammers, demolition hammers, and 65lb jackhammers (lots of rockhound hammers) as well as diamond saws and soil pipe cutters. We enjoy researching and mining rocks and roadtrips while rockhounding across the USA.

Our Geodes are some of the finest natural Geodes on Earth. We specialize in Indiana Geodes and all Geodes are for sale and sourced directly from rockhound sites in Indiana, USA. Our Geode sizes range from 3 to 18 inches in diameter. Finding Geodes is hard work and we hand crack them to show the natural geological beauty inside these mysterious natural wonders. Hidden inside include fractal Quartz crystals, white Chalcedony, red chalcedony, blue chalcedony, Baryte minerals, Citrine, and various other favorite gems. Every cracked Geode is truly unique, collectible, and a wonder.

If you would like more info on local Mineral shows and rockhound clubs click on our News page for up to date listings and links to Gem Show, Mineral Show, and Fossil Show announcements. We update our rockhound news twice an hour and showcase the top mineral shows and rockhound news in the USA and the World. Also, follow us on Twitter for even more rockhound events, commentary, and laughable quips from American Geode.

Gem Fest 2016 by Wayne County Gem and Mineral Club

Gem Fest 2016

Gem Fest 2016
Gem Fest 2016

The 23rd annual GemFest event, sponsored by the Wayne County Gem and Mineral Club (WCGMC) will be held June 4-5 at the Greater Canandaigua Civic Center, 250 W. Bloomfield Rd. in Canandaigua. Hours are 10-5 on Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults, children under 12 are free.
A Wayne County Gem and Mineral Club primary objectives is science education, in particular geology, minerals, fossils and the world around us. At GemFest the gem and mineral club provides multiple hands-on experiences for youngsters (crafts like soapstone carving, a scavenger hunt, an operating sluice to work, a 45 mineral show on fluorescent minerals, educational exhibits by club members, etc.). In addition, the gem and mineral club encourages our 15 mineral, fossil, and jewelry vendors to interact with kids who inquire about things at their booths. The goal is to mix a fun time with learning in a family setting.
Gem Fest 2016
Gem Fest 2016

This is an excellent group of skilled, knowledgable and fun rockhounds and gem, mineral and fossil professionals. Some of the best in the mineral business will be at this gem and mineral show that attracts the world class dealers and collectors, as well as academics, rockhounds, families and casual collectors.
Be sure to “tell ’em American Geode sen’cha!” The good folks at the entrance will get a kick out of hearing that you are also friends with American Geode. American Geode has spent plenty of time here in New York, on our own proprietary prospecting missions and we attest to the beauty of upstate New York, and the fun you can have at this show. Plan your trip in advance and take advantage of the New York parks, museums and historic landmarks in the area.

Keep updated on the best shows with the American Geode gem, mineral, jewelry and fossil show newswire and calendar!
Watch a short video here for gem, mineral and fossil show tips from the experts!

Agate Days – World famous festival coming up July 2016!

Agate Days


Agate Days
Agate Days

FREE ADMISSION
Gem & Mineral Show
Moose Lake High School
Sat. 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sun. 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Clark-Olsen AGATE STAMPEDE
2:00 pm – Saturday July 16th, 2016
400 lbs. of Agates & $400 in quarters from local donors are added to a truck full of gravel and spread on Elm Avenue for a wild scramble of Finders-Keepers.

Experience the madness!

Jacksonville Gem & Mineral Society Jewelry Show

Jacksonville Gem and Mineral Club Jewelry Show


Jacksonville Gem and Mineral Club Jewelry Show
Jacksonville Gem and Mineral Club Jewelry Show

Jewelry Show
Jacksonville Gem and Mineral Society
Saturday May 21st, 2016
3733 Crown Point Road
Jacksonville, Florida 32257
Wise to bring cash as many vendors do not accept credit cards.
10am – 5pm
Free Admittance & Parking
Local Artists – Antique Jewelry – Polymer Clay – Precious Metal Clay – Hand Crafted Faceted Gemstones – Beads – Crafts – Gems – Crystals – Healing Stones – Minerals – Fossils – Artist made Glass Beads – Unique One of Kind Hand Made Jewelry
For more information contact: Jason Hamilton @ 904-294-4744 (cell phone or text messages)
If you are a local vendor wanting to show your merchandise contact Jason Hamilton at:
jgms-show@hotmail.com or silver-rocks@comcast.net
Learn more about the Jacksonville Gem and Mineral Society and their terrific educational events they host all year!

Keep updated on the best shows with the American Geode gem, mineral, jewelry and fossil show newswire and calendar!
Watch a short video here for gem, mineral and fossil show tips from the experts!

American Geode visits Centralia, PA Ghost Town

The American Geode team visited abandoned ghost town Centralia, PA to explore this old coal town that had been abandoned, demolished and condemned in the 1990s due to an underground coal mine fire raging since the early 1960s.




Abandoned Old Route 61
Abandoned Old Route 61

Centralia can still be discovered on a map, which is what Joe and Charles followed for a different kind of rockhound adventure. First, how to get to Centralia, PA? We drove on I-80 from Pittsburgh and took the exit for Route 15 South. Route 15 South connects to Route 61, and then you are on your way to Centralia. Passing through coal country, one notices distinctive elements in the towns whose livelihood once depended, or still relies on coal. Many hill sides are open. You drive past a hill with an exposed side, stripped to the anthracite inside. At the base of these hills in many towns are coal mining operations with industrial equipment with the kind of large scale wheels taller in their diameter than a 6 foot tall man. The houses in the towns along Route 61 are row style. Small houses were built side by side in a row for the coal miners and their families so they could remain close to the mine.

While driving Route 61, a sign that you are near Centralia is when the highway turns red. At a point, the entirety of Route 61 is red as it has been covered with flame-retardant substances. At that point you can see that upkeep of the medians, and the shoulders of the road was abandoned years ago. Overgrowth, old light-posts, no light posts and vintage street signs remain.

Part of the Centralia mine fire destroyed a section of Route 61, and it was abandoned and built up at two different points in the area to completely cut off admission to Old Route 61. We were able to find where Old Route 61 was when we came up on this cemetery, and the large yellow arrow sign that directs you away from the area where Old Route 61 was blocked off.

Cemetery near Old Route 61
Cemetery near Old Route 61

Park your car here, and walk opposite where the arrow points to enter Old Route 61
Park your car here, and walk opposite where the arrow points to enter Old Route 61

Wear comfortable shoes, or boots before this hike mind you. American Geode had been in business meetings that day, this rockhound adventure was not planned with our usual high measure of advance preparation, and we were both in expensive dress shoes.
Once you enter Old Route 61 you see a large crack in the street. This crack was caused by the underground mine fire. The area is covered in coal mines and shafts, and many of those shafts were wildcat mines. Illegal mining was common in the area because the anthracite in Centralia is very high quality.

Back to the underground mine fire that has been raging since the early 1960s, the Old Route 61 buckles and cracks in areas where the heat from the underground fire destroyed the stability and integrity of the road. The fire has moved however, and we did not notice or feel any warmth or heat emanating from Old Route 61. In fact, while the American Geode team was exploring Centralia we encountered a group of 5 teenagers with spray paint cans, two separate couples holding hands for a romantic (?) walk, and we even met a TV production team from Ukraine were were reporting on Centralia and the mine fire disaster!

As you walk along Old Route 61, as the photos will attest, you see that nearly every square foot of Old Route 61 is covered in street art and graffiti. We took photos of the street art we liked the most, or found most unusual.

American Geode visits Centralia, PA Ghost Town
American Geode visits Centralia, PA Ghost Town.

American Geode co-founder found his name in Centralia.
American Geode co-founder found his name in Centralia.

Hook 'em Horns!
Hook ’em Horns!

Had we been wearing the right shoes, had a walking stick and our usual rockhound kit with us, American Geode would have ventured off Old Route 61 to explore Centralia for fissures of rising steam. One thing you notice when in Centralia is the lack of wildlife. You hear no birds, and you see no birds in the area. While the area around Centralia is enjoying spring time, tulips blossoming, trees greening, and weeds sprouting, in Centralia the trees and foliage are grey, and struggling to bud, and nothing is flowering.

We walked the length of Old Route 61, observing and occasionally admiring the street art and graffiti, and then returned to our cars. When you leave Centralia, on the new Route 61, your road is still red, and you know you have left Centralia when Route 61 turns the normal, expected shade of black asphalt, and you notice that the shoulders of the road are manicured and green with grass.

Reference for further reading about Centralia courtesy of the New York Times:

Centralia, PA
Centralia, PA

Centralia, PA
Centralia, PA

Centralia, PA
Centralia, PA

Centralia, PA
Centralia, PA

Centralia, PA
Centralia, PA

Centralia, PA
Centralia, PA

Centralia, PA
Centralia, PA