An Official Field Trip of the Columbia Gem & Mineral Society (Columbia, SC) (HOST)
 
9:00 AM EST
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Jackson Crossroads Amethyst Mine
Wilkes County, Georgia

(FEE SITE)

The Columbia Gem & Mineral Society invites you to join us at the Jackson Crossroads (JXR) Amethyst mine in Wilkes County, Georgia in search of the finest amethyst in the southeast. Over the last three years, the mine owner, Mr. Rodney Moore, has opened up extensive digging areas for the collector.
 
The mine produces both specimen and cutting grade amethyst. The amethyst can be found as single crystal points, as crystal clusters, and as crystals on matrix in shades from light to very dark purple. Some of the crystals are also exquisite facet grade and may exhibit a blue flash if properly oriented. For more info about JXR (including pictures), go to www.dixieeuhedrals.com.
 
As with any other location, you can expect to work for what you find. Collectors commonly use two different approaches to collecting at JXR. If you prefer to dig through the dumps, you will need tools such as garden rakes or potato forks. If you prefer to break rock, you will need sledge and crack hammers, chisels, and safety glasses. In general, the more material you go through on the dumps and/or the more rock you break, the better your chances of finding the better material.
 
JXR T-shirts, field trip guidebooks, and specimens will also be available for sale.
 
On Saturday, December 2, 2006, Big’Uns Barbecue will smoke a pig on-site and barbecue plates will be available for a nominal charge.  Yumm!!!!!!!

Fees: $15 per day per adult; children 15 years and younger are free.  Each guest will be required to sign a waiver of liability.
After you sign a waiver of liability and pay your admission, you will be provided a map to complete the trip to the mine (~8 miles).
If you want to stay an additional day, the same fee schedule will apply for Sunday.

Directions: From I-20, take exit 172 (Hwy 17/78) north from Thomson, GA to Washington GA (20.3 miles). You will see a Huddle House and Jameson Inn on the left. Continue north on Hwy 17 an additional 10.5 miles to Tignall, GA. We will meet at the Dollar General on the left side of the road.
 
From I-85, take exit 173 (Hwy 17) south from Lavonia, GA through Royston and Elberton to Tignall, GA. Pass through the traffic light at Tignall and go an additional 0.1 miles. We will meet at the Dollar General on the right side of the road.
  
Lodging:   Jameson Inn, Washington, GA    706-678-7925    Mention the JXR dig when you make reservations