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Field CollectingRuck's Pit
12th Apr 2012 20:07 UTCKevin Sulikowski (2)
13th Apr 2012 01:05 UTCSteve Hardinger 🌟 Expert
13th Apr 2012 03:23 UTCAnonymous User
My favorite find are dark spherical limestone concretions with small rosettes of calcite on one end.
Each person is allowed a five gallon bucket plus one "matrix specimen" that can be larger. Tools other than hammers and chisels are not really necessary. We brought a large prybar, and didn't use it.
Have fun and enjoy Florida! Now is the time to go - another month and it will be 95 every day down there.
k
13th Apr 2012 03:38 UTCAnonymous User
http://thumbnails.crocoite.com/blogs/ken-ceglady-2009-03-09.pdf
13th Apr 2012 16:08 UTCGary Maddox
Recent finds don't seem to measure up to the material we commercially collected from the original pit, which was in operation since the 1950's, but the switch in mining techniques from using explosives to just track hoes in 2002 allowed calcite-filled clams to be recovered whole. It boggles the mind to contemplate how many incredible specimens were blasted into oblivion during the 50 or so years that the pit operated before mining techniques changed.
If you get the chance to collect at either location, the best calcite-clam specimens will be enclosed in blocks of limestone matrix, which shields them from damage, so if you want to collect these, bring chisels, pry bars and hand sledges. Field trim promising matrix pieces to a manageable size, then take them home for final prep work. Trim very carefully around the clam "bridges" (the thin crystal tops of the specimens), which can be very delicate and brittle. The calcite specimens found loose on the ground often look nice when found, but are usually found to be badly damaged, once taken home and cleaned off. They do make great give-aways though, for classroom geology talks and beginning collectors.
Fort Drum caan be brutally hot and humid, even this time of the year, so be prepared with hats, sunscreen and lots of fluids...
13th Apr 2012 18:21 UTCAdam Berluti
Here is the link to Eddie Rucks website http://thefortdrumcrystalmine.com/contact_us.htm
contact him if you are going so he can set you up. You rinse down piles of material with a hose. All you need is 1gal bucket and a shovel for each person. Maybe bring a sledgehammer and a hamer and chisel in case you want to bring back a plate of clams and it needs trimming.
Good luck!
-Adam
15th May 2012 17:21 UTCGina Trundell
16th May 2012 20:32 UTCTerri byner
12th Jun 2012 00:08 UTCRoger McNabb
14th Mar 2014 20:37 UTCJoan Cavaliere
17th Mar 2014 17:34 UTCGuriel Zeigerman
What I can tell everyone is that the caliber of specimens to be found in the rubble piles he lets you dig through are nowhere near what you could unearth from the pit itself. You must understand that these clams are encased in limestone rock that protects them during excavation. This layer is also a completely different color than some of the material recovered from the mine. Thus, it is logical to conclude that these exceptional specimens cannot physically exist in loose rubble piles that people are allowed to dig in. I've been there, and you can still find clams with massive calcite or "drusy" calcite coverings, but not sharp dog-toothed clams as you would in the single layer in the main pit. Those days are indeed behind us. As for what he charges, it's always up to you whether the money is worth it. Just do your research on what's available and other people's reports first.
Gary
19th Oct 2016 22:43 UTCMichale
Thanks,
Michale
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Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: May 11, 2024 13:35:04