An Official Field Trip of Mid-Tennessee Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (HOST)
An Official Field Trip of the GEORGIA MINERAL SOCIETY, INC.

10:00 AM until 4:00 PM CDT
Saturday – November, 6th 2010
WHERE: Cumberland Furnace, TN
WHEN: Saturday – November, 6th 2010

DIRECTIONS: From Nashville, TN off of I-40 take exit 196 for US-70 S (Bellevue/Newsom Station) go 0.2 miles. Turn right at TN-1 W/US-70S W go 1.8 miles. Turn left at TN-1 W/US-70 W/Charlotte Pike go 16.1 miles. Turn right at TN-47 (White Bluff) go 9.6 miles. Turn right at TN-48 (Charlotte) go 6.8 miles. Take a slight left at Earl Leech Rd go 0.2 miles. Turn left on Cinder Road. You will see a log cabin (Starks Cabin) on the left hand side of the road. You can park in the field next to the cabin.

ASSEMBLY TIME: For those meeting in Nashville, we will leave at 9:00 from the old cinema in Bellevue (there is a Mapco gas station nearby). Take exit 196 off of I-40 (Bellevue / Hwy-70), the cinema is on the right. It takes about one hour to drive to Cumberland Furnace from there. For those meeting as at Cumberland Furnace, we should arrive about 10:00. Meet near the old log cabin on Cinder Road.

COLLECTING: We are heading to Cumberland Furnace to collect slag. The slag was a byproduct of making iron. Some of the slag is quit colorful in shades of blue and green … some with swirls. The slag is easily cut and polished and makes nice pendants – it is too soft for rings.

Our target is a dump pile on the banks of the stream that runs through Cumberland Furnace (access by crossing a large field owned by the community). This dump pile is located about a ¼ of a mile from the parking area. Although the dump pile has the greatest potential, slag can be found anywhere along the banks (both upstream and downstream). Another way to search is by wading downstream from the furnace if the creek is low. I am not sure if conditions will permit - bring wading shoes just in case if you wish to collect in the stream.

AGE LIMIT: Everyone is welcome but children must be 6 years or older. They will not be allowed to roam around unattended and must obey all safety requirements and have all safety equipment. All pets must be under control at all times.

EQUIPMENT: You need to bring a hand tool, trowel, small shovel, etc to dig in the slag pile and gloves to protect your hands. Bring a back pack or small buckets for carrying. Boots or wading shoes are recommended as your feet may get wet otherwise.

SEVERAL LODGING SUGGESTIONS: Depending on which direction you are coming from, I would recommend staying in the Nashville area, Clarksville (north of the furnace) or Dickson (south of the furnace). If you are going to meet us and go as group, then Nashville is the best choice.

GMS Field Trip

Diamond Hill Mine

Saturday, Nov 20^th, 2010

10:00 A.M.

(Fee Site)

For collectors the Diamond Hill Mine has been producing skeletal, amethyst and smoky quartz crystals as well as quartz scepters and an assortment of pegmatite minerals for many years.

FEE: $15.00 a person. Children under 16 are $6,00. Everyone attending will have to sign a release wavier.

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20th . We meet at 10 AM.

Bring: If interested in the milky quartz crystals you will just need something to put them in. If you are interested in the other minerals or skeletal quartz you will need to bring a pick and shovel as well as hard rock tools and safety glasses. Be sure and bring plenty of newspaper to wrap your finds in. A lot of the quartz has iron-staining on it. Frequently the stains vary in color from face to face on the crystals and make for very attractive specimens AS LONG AS YOU DON'T DING THEM UP! Lunch, bug spray, some sun protection, and don't forget some good shoes or boots.

Directions: We will meet at the mine at 10:00 A.M. Take Interstate 85 to exit 19A in South Carolina. Exit and go south on Highway 76/28 a short distance and the highways will split. Stay on highway 28 south to Antreville. There is a big church at the intersection of Highway 284 and Highway 28 1/2 mile south of Antreville. Turn right onto 284 and go 2.3 miles and take a right on Suber Road, SC road S-01-508. Be careful not to turn into the folks' driveway just before the road here. Go seven tenths of a mile and you will see on your right a gravel road, Diamond Mine Road, SC road S-1-538. Turn right and go half a mile and the mine entrance will be on your right.