collecting around champaigne Illinois

I have a good friend who is about to visit the champaine Illinois area and would love to connect with some keen local collectors
with the hope of seeing collections and possibly going collecting...if anyone could let me know with contact information, please
PM me and I will pass you along to him...I know he would be thrilled if he can get some nice collecting done.
FYI
He is also a master faceter and a mid to high end mineral dealer.
Thanks in advance



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/17/2012 08:49PM by Ray Hill.

Ray,

I would be glad to help your friend. Unfortunately, there is no opportunity to collect in the immediate Champaign area. A layer of glacial till covers the bedrock here and no quarries are readily accessible to collectors (they are not very productive anyway).

If your friend is willing to travel 3 plus hours, there are Keokuk geodes to the west and a little fluorite down south. Although my house is a mess at the moment (long term, permanent remodeling), I would gladly offer to show him my collection. Send me a PM so we can communicate. Word of warning, I'm heading north to Copper Country the first full week of August and will be out of town weekend through weekend.

Keith

You could head north to the Mazon Creek area for fossils, perhaps. I picked up a lot of nice jellyfish the last time I was there. It's been too long for me to remember directions, though, and I'm not in the area. Good luck! --Ken

Ken, thanks for reminding me. The best time of year to collect is in early March, after the area is opened to the public. Winter rains tend to uncover fresh material. In addition to marine fossils, you can pick up fossilized wood with great pyrite veins.

thanks for your generous offerings, Ken in particular, regards your collection.
Hi will be getting in touch with a chap at the University who is on the geological for the state and works at the University.
Jared is his name. I will also pass along your suggestion re your collection Ken.
Your help and suggestions are appreciated