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Field CollectingCarrollite at Mineral Hill, Sykesville, Maryland

21st Jan 2014 11:26 UTCMad Zach

Has anyone found a credible specimen of Carrollite at the abandoned copper mine on Mineral Hill in Sykesville site? I have been there several times and have found some nice finds, but would love to know if there is a shot at Carrollite and how to identify a non-museum quality specimen. Of course, photos would help!! I may already have some in my collection!!

Thanks...

21st Jan 2014 14:23 UTCTom Tucker

I believe Fred Parker (Parker Minerals) eventually found material that they had properly identified as carrollite. It's certainly not in "museum specimens", and probably cannot be identified in hand specimens without significant analytical work. The story may have been published, but I don't recall where.

21st Jan 2014 15:45 UTCVandall Thomas King Manager

I have seen specimens that Fred found and they consisted of very very bright silvery metallic metallic luster grains 1-3 mm with or without pyrite in contact. He found several dozen specimens, it seems, in the 1990s.

21st Jan 2014 16:16 UTCTom Tucker

This reference may be of help:

Parker, Fred; 2003; Postscript, A footnote to carrollite: The final chapter; Matrix, Vol. 11, No. 3; page153. Fred, with the help of Dr. Lance Kearns, confirmed the existence of carrollite at the locality in material salvaged during final reclamation of the old mine site.

21st Jan 2014 18:03 UTCMad Zach

Thank you gentlemen!! This is a photo of a small piece I collected there which fits the description of "bright and silver"... it looks like tiny drops of silver solder. Perhaps???

21st Jan 2014 18:32 UTCVandall Thomas King Manager

Hard to say from a picture, but it looks like it. Carrollite from some locations has parting. Do you see any when looking with a microscope?

22nd Jan 2014 12:56 UTCMad Zach

I did indeed look again, but could find no evidence. However, I am far from an expert. I shall have to go with what I do know... the location makes it a possibility, and the other metallic minerals I found there (pyrite, copper) are clearly very different in color.

Thank you so much for your help Sir!!

23rd Jan 2014 09:08 UTCJonathan Ertman

Fred Parker as found Gold around that area.Jon

23rd Jan 2014 15:50 UTCSam Linton

Fred has some, and as stated earlier, he has gold from there too.

I found some specimens of Carrolite, but the minerals are tiny 3-5mm long (Spring 2010). I tossed them in the lawn because they aren't that spectacular to look at. If you wish to find some, look for massive magnetite and just start breaking it up. If you see something that is super silvery, you found Carrolite.

I found a really good piece of bornite that is an 1"x1"x1/2" fully covered. Normally you will only see specks of it mixed with pyrite.

When you hound at Mineral Hill, you have to look really close at everything because nothing is going to jump out at you aside from actinolite, magnetite, and pyrite.

4th Feb 2014 04:29 UTCMatt Neuzil Expert

Is there any dumps or anything to poke around at still at mineral hill? I have family around the corner in Eldersburg I may visit this spring. I'd like to poke around here after drowning some bait in the reservoir :)-D

4th Feb 2014 14:31 UTCSam Linton

Yes, there are two main dumps. The largest is obvious. The other is due south and next to the water... a little steep of a climb down (and up), so take your time especially if it is moist or there are a lot of leaves. Also, you will be standing up and bracing yourself from sliding off that dump pile; however, you can find some good stuff there. Regardless of where you hound there, you will have to dig & turn and break a lot of rock. If you just surface collect, you are likely to walk away with nothing of note.

4th Feb 2014 16:21 UTCReiner Mielke Expert

I don't think you can distinguish Siegenite-Linnaeite from Carrolite just by looking at it. You are going to have to determine if there is any copper in it to do that. Unless you have the chemicals to do that may I suggest doing EDS for $10. http://kaygeedeeminerals.com/sem-eds_service

4th Feb 2014 16:45 UTCVandall Thomas King Manager

Very true, Reiner. that being said, Linnaeite minerals are far rarer. Visible carrollite in matrix is valuable enough not to throw onto one's lawn. I saw a 1 mm grain of Maryland carrollite in 2 x 2 cm matrix sell for $100 in 2005.

4th Feb 2014 19:21 UTCSam Linton

Please have those buyers contact me then :)

4th Feb 2014 21:53 UTCMatt Neuzil Expert

Thanks for the info. I look into geting a maryland collecting book. It's a little outdated 1977. I'll be looking forward to poking around the area.

Another question I think the book I want had mentioned rattlesnakes liking the area. Anyone ever see any?

I've seen rattlers before so i'm not too concerned. Just curious.

4th Feb 2014 22:45 UTCSam Linton

I haven't seen snakes... there isn't much undergrowth there and you can take a trail to and from. The only time you would not take a trail is if you did the dump next to the water and that isn't too dense brush wise getting there. I don't worry about snakes for that site.

19th Jul 2014 08:10 UTCBt7csr

You went in February. Winter time. Snakes weren't out yet. Yes, there ARE snakes around. But this is Maryland. Just keep your eyes open and when you see them, leave them alone and give them their space. They aren't out to get you, but they are out there.

19th Jul 2014 08:13 UTCBt7csr

Oh, and no, not rattlesnakes.

19th Jul 2014 14:35 UTCVandall Thomas King Manager

Are the Mindat co-ordinates listed at Mindat accurate? Are there unlisted dumps?

20th Jul 2014 02:14 UTCSam Linton

I don't know abut the coords... It is really easy to find. Just park at the dirt parking area right when you cross the bridge from the south (parking area on northeast side of bridge). Follow the trail for about 1/2 mile. You will be able to see the main dump from the trail as you round one bend. The other dump is by the water. From the main dump, walk towards the water. You will come to the point to where the trail makes a bend. Cross that and go down a semi steep hill. You will end up at the water. You can go to a section that is not so steep, just follow the water back around and you will be able to see the dump.

There are other small pits, but don't bother with those... they are poo. You can look at old foundations near the main dump. They are kind of cool.

20th Jul 2014 02:47 UTCJasun D. McAvoy Expert

http://www.mindat.org/photo-259320.html

I have a bunch of additional pictures of this specimen (40+ pics) on my personal archive page if you are interested... there are lots of close ups of matrix etc. The pics are in an old auction template (we have an online archive of all the specimens we've sold for reference purposes). If anyone would like the web address just PM me!

20th Jul 2014 03:37 UTCStuart Herring

Hello All.... Sam! The coords on Mindat are for the Lower tailings pile and vertical shaft by the Liberty Reservoir. Yes there are snakes at all the THREE tailings piles (North, Upper and Lower)...but not to worry they are mostly shy LOL. Some of the areas at the Upper mine area such as the various prospects have not been fully investigated for many years. Its is still possible to find many nice specimens from all three areas including the prospects.

20th Jul 2014 03:42 UTCStuart Herring

Wrong mine right county MM99 LOL

20th Jul 2014 17:04 UTCJasun D. McAvoy Expert

Hey Stuart! All I can say is... doh... Lol!

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