Not hard for younger children. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Geryl, Biotite, Columbite, Mica, Aquamarine, Chalcopyrite, Schorl, Quartz, Zircon, Elbaite, Thorogummite, etc. Some are commercially operated mines and quarries, and gaining permission to collect on any of these properties is, as always, absolutely essential. Master Faceter, Avid Rock Hound, World Traveler, Tamminen, Pingree Ledge, and Waisanen Quarries. Maine has an excellent reputation among "rockhounds" for the variety and quality of mineral specimens found within its borders. 68.32 acres lot. Go left onto the Conant Trail and follow the trail for 0.3 miles to the Lord Hill summit. This information is essential for gemstone and mineral finds, since provenance is paramount to us and to our clients, and should be for you as well. to the trailhead. 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. Mt. Apatite (Auburn) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor Phone: (207) 287-3200 stream TTY: Maine Relay 711 An official website of the Finding something of high value is sort of rare, but you will find something to take home, something you absolutely fall in love with.. Common Rocks You Can Find in Maine Ancient volcanic and metamorphic rocks have been worn down by recent glaciation and subsequent weathering from rivers and streams have exposed interesting gemstones and minerals for us to find. Another option is to visit a location thats running a mineral and gem sluice, a device that allows you to sort rocks using a screen in running water. Club members go on field trips to mineral sites to study and collect specimens. After breakfast, the caravan of cars, trucks and SUVs heads off for the days mining trip, and Mary turns her attention to camp operations and preparing one of her memorable suppers. He has been a flight instructor since 1990 and is a 35-year AOPA member. The "hike" up is an access road and is easy. amzn_assoc_linkid = "aac5e87b1ca95eb9841c18e11fbbd48f"; And discoveries of more gem-rich veins of pegmatite are still being made. 3 0 obj Graphite, Molybdenite, Pyrite, Quartz (clear, milky), Sericite, Albite, Garnet (almandine), Arsenopyrite, Beryl, Columbite, Feldspar, Schorl, etc. The majority of these locations are my interpretation of Robert Bestes A Location Guide for Rock Hounds in the United States. Specimens may become depleted from other collectors, the location may have been built on or altered, locality information in literature may be inaccurate, and property ownership may have changed hands. Augusta, ME 04333 July 17, 2017. Like most of the interesting material in Maine, you're primarily looking for pegmatite to dig into. I cannot personally attest to the accuracy of the given locations or the quality of the material there. The lower shallower water has an incredible number of frogs/tadpoles. These minerals formed as part of widespread igneous intrusions, and were subsequently exposed by recent glacial activity which stripped away everything above them. We suggest setting aside the day for rockhounding and exploring the area. The societys family-oriented meetings are usually held on the third Saturday of every month, from September through May. Rockhound Sites in Maine, Tulip City Gem & Mineral Club presents their 49th Annual Show: Agates are Superior! in Holland, Michigan. Maine Gold Prospectors Club is dedicated to helping rockhounds, and gold prospectors learn the ways of gold prospecting. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Beryl (green, golden), Mica, Columbite, Fluorapatite (clear, green, purple), Fluorite, Feldspar, Quartz crystals (clear, milky, smoky), Schorl, etc. Bring picks and eye protection to chip away at the rock. One of the most common questions rockhounds have is whether or not they are allowed to collect at a certain location. For those doing rock collecting for the first time, keep in mind that the location is a hard rock mine. You can cover biology, ecology, and geology easily in the same park. Popular specimens that you can find include flint, geodes, granite, agates, bloodstone, graphite, slate, schist, marble, greenstone, quartz monzonite, hornfels, limestone, and others. It is the responsibility of each rockhound to obtain permission from a landowner to search and/or collect on a piece of property. I tend to get a little lost in my rock stories, so lets refocus on the question you probably need answered: How does a general aviation pilot get to Maine pegmatite country? Report inappropriate content . Albite, Beryl, Tourmaline (green elbaite), Fluorapatite (blue, purple), Feldspar, Mica, Quartz, Garnet (spessartine), Sphalerite, Spodumene (crystals), etc. Shed be the first one to tell that shes not much of a computer userif she even has one in the house these days. New Hampshire Rockhounding Location Guide & Map Not too sure. 4 0 obj Rockhounds can find feldspar, tourmaline, garnet, quartz, topaz, jasper, rubies, pearls, gold, opal, aquamarine, and many other high-quality pieces. Apatite is strictly on a mt. Ocean rocks belong to everyone, not just to whoever picks them up first. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; 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. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. United States. Road cuts and natural outcrops of other rock types occasionally provide good mineral specimens. I thought it was going to be more of a mining operation, but my grandson still had fun breaking rocks and finding keepers. Other pegmatite minerals that may produce gem-grade material or great specimens include beryl (aquamarine, morganite, and heliodor are forms of beryl); topaz; spodumene; and apatite, to name a few. Sorry, my experience with Mt. These are mostly comprised of beaches, outcrops, old mining prospects, washes, streams, and historically known rock and mineral collecting sites. . website belongs to an official government organization in the amzn_assoc_search_bar = "false"; Many of the best rockhounding sites in Maine are privately owned. However, if it is geodes youre after, youll have more luck if you explore the quarries in Washington and Hancock counties. Mica, Mount Apatite (Pulsifer, Hole-in-the-Ground and Keith quarries), the Emmons Quarry, Pitts Tenney. We hope you enjoy your time on our site and come back often because were always adding new dig locations and crystal collecting updates. 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. Nowadays, feldspar and mica are no longer mined in Maine. Actinolite, Calcite, Diopside, Garnet (grossular), Molybdenite, Quartz, Titanite, Clinozoisite, Clinochlore, Beryl, Feldspar, Muscovite, etc. quarries are among a small number of mineral collecting sites in Maine that offer a combination of good public access and the possibility of finding many different minerals. You might also find mica, albite, columbite, fluorite, fluorapatite, feldspar, and almandine garnets. If youre rockhounding in the quarry wall, you can uncover gem pockets. The American Geode found plenty of fine mica, and had a great time, and the reason we did not find other minerals as that we simply ran out of time. Rock clubs offer their own lineup of field trips, often collaborating with nearby clubs. PAHLISCH REAL ESTATE. Apatite Reviews: 4.5/5. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. It is accessible from either the north or south by hiking trails. This bundle of information includes a book, videos, and online tools. amzn_assoc_title = "Here is some of my favorite rockhounding gear from Amazon"; This way, you dont have to conduct your own research or invest in any equipment. FindingRocks.com - Maine Locations Considering what knowledge and information one can learn to access the precious gems that could lead to hefty payouts, its worth the membership fee. Feldspar, Quartz, Topaz, Phenakite, Garnet, etc. White Mountain National Forest - Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area I enjoyed the solitude and big country feeling of hunting up in the Andover area of East -B Hill Rd. Vintage Fire Truck Sightseeing Tour of Portland Maine 317 Recommended Classic Car Tours from $38.00 per adult Luxury Catamaran Sailing Charters in Maine 36 Recommended Sailing from $135.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Downtown Portland, Maine City and Lighthouse Tour-2.5 hour Land Tour 306 Recommended Bus Tours from $62.00 per adult . Portland International Jetport, a Class C airspace airport with major airline service, is about an hours drive from the mining district. Those interested in becoming members can visit the societys website for application details. For additional reading, Id highly recommend these books you can find on Amazon: Please remember that rock collecting locations are constantly changing. When youre digging in the dirt, cracking open rocks and all the sudden you find a beautiful crystal it makes your day. Be prepared to carry out what you carry in. The Oxford County Mineral and Gem Association (OCMGA) was organized in March of 1948. Important Disclaimer: I have not been to these locations myself, and I do not know if they are currently open for collecting. A pegmatite outcrop or a pegmatite exposed by prospecting or mining can be the source of some of the most eye-catching gemstones and other rare specimens in the mineralogical world. You can also usually get the landowners name and address by visiting the county records office. $$ - $$$ Quick Bites American Seafood, $ Pizza Fast Food Vegetarian Friendly. Start your free trial today! An official website of the 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. 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. In the state of Maine, you can find sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. A majority of them are marine animals like gastropods, bivalves, brachiopods, corals, crinoids, and trilobites. 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. Through quite a bit of research and cross-referencing of available literature, I have compiled this list of some prospective locations in Maine which I would recommend to people looking to do some rockhounding. American Geode followed the attached map, and found access to two of the mines, the ones off of Richardson Hollow Road, the Waisanen and Tamminen Quarrie Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry Permits can be obtained at the trailhead. Report inappropriate content bonniemaev Bar Harbor, Maine Level Contributor 9,831 posts 8 reviews 17 helpful votes 3. 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. 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. Got distracted by the tranquility and nature. Most mineral collecting activity takes place in the larger of the 2 quarry pits. <> Many customers have been making the summer trek for ages and have developed enduring friendships. Nice as your idea sounds, it's a great way to tick off the natives and, as Bonnie points out, is literally illegal in some places. They have access to many mines there such as Mt. Follow Deer Hill Road 2.2 miles to the Deer Hill Mineral Site trailhead. The Swift River in Byron is one of the principal sources of placer gold. This list of rockhound locations in Maine might seem short, but these arent the only locations. Now, there are countless old mines and quarries in Maine, some of which are publicly accessible. ) or https:// means you've safely If you are coming to get rich forget it. A Museum Devoted to Geological Treasures Opens in Maine LONDON, UK He was the king of Queen and his crown could be yours for the right price. Micros are a great way to participate if you live in a tiny city apartment but cant resist collecting rocks. website belongs to an official government organization in the If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 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. Chalcedony, jasper, prehnite, bornite, gold, galena, epidote, beryl, muscovite, garnet, scheelite, hornblende, and various other mineral specimens can be found throughout Maine. Additional suggestions are available in the Collector's Guide to Maine Mineral Localities. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Its a greenish blue crystal. If you wear glasses these are very good for keeping your lenses clean, too. Official websites use .gov A .gov Anglesite, Bornite, Calcite, Cerussite, Chalcopyrite, Dolomite, Epidote, Galena, Goethite, Hematite, Limonite, Malachite, Pyrite, Quartz, Smithsonite, Wulfenite, etc. Many of the best minerals in Maine are found in an igneous rock called "pegmatite", which is a very coarse-grained granite. Most of them were commercially worked for mica or feldspar, creating piles of waste rock ("dumps") where collectors search for specimens. Maine Rocks and Minerals - Home Mosquito coils last for hours and will burn away into ash. Even if you dont find gems of value, the experience of sifting through rocks is fun in and of itself, Turcotte said. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "rockhoundreso-20"; Document Viewers - including PDF and Word. Best Rockhounding Sites (+ Beaches) in Maine & What To Find 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. 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. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Mt. Maine is, without a doubt, the best state in New England for rock and mineral collectors thanks to the widespread, high-quality pegmatites that make up a large portion of the surface geology. Its like my wife said: the kids are a lot closer to the ground, so a lot of the time, they will find better stuff than the adults.. 2021 Columbia, SC Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show. I really recommend sluices for those who have young kids, said Maggie Kroenke, store manager at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. Rockhounding Sites in Maine - American Geode Maine is one of New England's most popular rock-hounding locations. (Hint: Summer Saturdays are usually lobster night.). Directions: Driving Directions can be found at this webpage: http://polandminingcamps.com/contact.html From the South Interstate 95 North, past Portland. Map Information, Lord Hill is a pegmatite that is not very different from the Deer Hill pegmatite, except for a chemical composition that contains many more rare elements which lead to forming rare minerals. Real Estate & Homes For Sale - 2401 Homes For Sale | Zillow 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. Maine is home to quite a wide variety of rocks and minerals and, as a result, there there is almost no limit to the number of interesting material rockhounds can find here. Doing so can put you in touch with others who may have lesser-known locations to check out.
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