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Field CollectingDiopside at the Pickering Valley Golf Course

27th May 2015 18:42 UTCMad Zach

I recently visited the Pickering Valley Golf Course in Phoenixville, PA to do a little hunting. The gentleman at the clubhouse was not sure where the collecting sites were, but directed me to the right of the building and beyond. At the first hole I came to, I asked two guys on the green if they knew where folks went rock hunting and they directed me to the immediate right. There was an old stone chimney there, and lots of holes dug in the ground. After a few hours of cracking open all kinds of rocks in several areas, I came home with some tiny Quartz crystals and some nice Galena. However, there was not even a hint of the "thumb size" Quartz points nor the deep green Diopside I was anticipating after reading some accounts on the internet. As there is a mine dump in another location on the course, it is possible I was simply in the wrong spot.

Does anyone have experience in this location and is able to clear this up for me? It was a 2 1/2 hour drive and I would be willing to return if I can come home with some fine thumbnails or better...

Thank you!!

27th May 2015 19:52 UTCMad Zach

-- moved topic --

30th May 2015 19:43 UTCPete Stoeckel

Zach,

One location is near the stack that you speak of. the other is off the end of hole 13 in the woods. This location requires a lot of digging. If you let me know when you are in the area, I would be happy to show you around . The are many spots to collect on the property!

31st May 2015 20:17 UTCMad Zach

Really? That would be great!! Have you found any large Quartz points and/or Diopside crystals at this site?

31st May 2015 21:47 UTCPete Stoeckel

Zach,

I have found many large Quartz points and all the typical lead minerals of theses locations. As far as Diopside goes, there haven't ever been any reported finds of that mineral there as far as I know. Because this location is very old and has been collected for over a century, good finds take a bit of digging.

1st Jun 2015 02:56 UTCMark Heintzelman 🌟 Expert

No, Diopside does not occur in this district. I have to assume what was actually meant was Pyromorphite, and that someone with a fairly limited understanding of minerals simply confused the two. I've no advice other than what Pete already mentioned, but here's a cross section of the kind of stuff you may encounter on the dumps (yes, better pyromorphite than this can still be found, on occasion).

MRH

1st Jun 2015 21:49 UTCMad Zach

Wow... you did find some nice specimens there!! It was actually at more than one website that Diopside was mentioned, but no matter. Still some worthwhile hunting and also close to the Blackrock Tunnel site (which I have yet to explore). Thank you for clearing that up and sharing your photos!!

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