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FIELD TRIP FOR DECEMBER 2003  
[Pictures from this field trip!]8:30 am, Saturday, December 13, 2003 (FEE SITE)
The Athens Rock and Gem club would like to extend an invitation to rockhound one of the premier quartz collecting localities in the southeast. Recently, under new ownership, years of overburden have been removed to expose new veins and deposits of high-quality quartz. You will find an abundance of plates of well-formed milky quartz crystals, primarily in the form of “skeletal” quartz, as well as smokey quartz and even an occasional amethyst crystal. Assembly Point: Diamond Hill Mine Fees: Adults - $10/day Children under 16 year of age - $5/day Also, upon arrival, each participant will be required to sign a waiver of liability. Other Essentials: Pick and shovel,
rock hammer, chisels, and scratching tools. There is ample water
on site for screening and washing specimens. Bring a lunch, plenty
of fluids, hat, gloves, and sturdy shoes. Bring rubber boots and
a change of cloths if it is going to be a rainy or wet day.
Hosted by the Athens Rock and Gem Club, Athens, GA. On Saturday December 13th, nineteen braved the winter weather to dig for quartz at the Diamond Hill Mine near Antrville, SC. Actually, the weather turned out to be perfect for digging. Overcast and high 40's. The nasty rain promised in the forecast never showed up until everyone had left for the day. Participants flocked from all parts of the southeast to participate in the digging frenzy. There were both familiar and unfamiliar faces from Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Florida, and even a couple guys from Pennsylvania who were members of a western North Carolina club. Everyone went home with many treasures and smile on there face. The "booty" was substantial. The skeletal quartz was top quality. Some of the best the mine has ever given up. Recent activity with heavy equipment had made the prized material readily accessible. Also, several participants did well in the "smoky quartz pit." Blocky crystals of light smoky color up to 1.5" long were found. By far, the big trophies of the day were unearthed by the "demon diggers" from PA. To the delight of all that attended, they had more large plates of skeletal quartz than they could carry off. The largest plate probably weighed almost two hundred pounds (trimmed) and took three people to carry. It was like Christmas.
"Field trips are open to all members of associated clubs of the DMC program of the SFMS Field Trip Committee and to all members of SFMS member clubs who have provided their membership with SFMS liability insurance. Because of insurance requirements, members of the GENERAL PUBLIC are NOT invited on this or any DMC program field trips!" |