Molybdenite (plates), Granite, Quartz crystals, Biotite, Fluorapatite, Hornblende, Magnetite, Microcline, Pyrite, Scheelite, Stilbite, etc. Some of the famous specimens rockhounds commonly find are flint, granite, agates, geodes, bloodstones, slate, graphite, schist, greenstone, quartz, monzonite, limestone, hornfels, and marble. Albite, Garnet (almandine), Beryl, Biotite, Columbite, Tourmaline (green elbaite), Fluorapatite, Quartz crystals, Schorl, Andalusite, Arsenopyrite, Bornite, Chalcopyrite, Galena, Goethite, Gold, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite, Quartz, Silver, Sphalerite. Maine's surface geology is full of high-quality pegmatites. Please check out more states for thousands of additional sites to go rockhounding! I have written entire articles which cover the rockhounding laws and regulations for nearly every type of public land you can think of. Beaches along the Atlantic coast are also popular for collecting jasper and agates. Mosquito coils and matches are necessary, and we suggest having a minimum of 7 with you at all times. Please contact American Geode directly with any questions; pictures and videos are below, as well as a map for you to download. I think my best find was a 15-pound quartz crystal from the Bennett Quarry in Buckfield.. Long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves will help protect you from being scraped by sharp rocks while also preventing sunburn and bug bites. LockA locked padlock An official website of the Go left onto the Conant Trail and follow the trail for 0.3 miles to the Lord Hill summit. Single club memberships are only $15 a year, and the price for families is only $20. Rockhounds can also visit the Square Pit, Havey, Trenton, and Alice Staples, which are all near Topsham. Instead, some of the old quarries are being prospected for valuable gems such as tourmaline, mainly to be made into jewelry. Bring newspaper or baggies for specimens collected, and a field guide for rocks and minerals. Turn right onto Richardson Hollow Road and continue 0.40 mile to parking area on the right. Rockhound societies are an excellent way to learn more about rocks, minerals, gemstones, and fossils. Report inappropriate content . The locations and information contained in this article are primarily derived from academic papers, online resources, and other outside sources. But one great thing about rockhounding or field collecting is that it doesnt take a lot of money to start. Poland Mining Camps has obtained exclusive access for our customers to some of the best mineral collecting available in the State of Maine. How much will you find? This is because clubs have insurance for the activity, and club leaders have formed trusting relationships with the mine owners that ensure their groups will follow rules. Historic Mining Records (USGS) Oxford has 146 identified mines listed in The Diggings. Located in Androscoggin County, Maine, the Camps has been serving the interests and enthusiasm of rockhounds of every age and level of experience since the 1960s. These are mostly comprised of beaches, outcrops, old mining prospects, washes, streams, and historically known rock and mineral collecting sites. Now, there are countless old mines and quarries in Maine, some of which are publicly accessible. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Some pegmatites are enriched in uncommon minerals such as beryl, topaz, and colored tourmaline; they may also contain very rare species or large crystals of various minerals. The Deer Hill location has produced a large amount of amethyst (purple quartz) along with many other minerals, including feldspars of many varieties, beryl, garnet, columbite, pyrite, and muscovite. Beware; on hot weekends there are lots of teenagers drinking and cliff jumping so going with small children might be best on weekday mornings. (FR9 - closed seasonally) 4.7 mi from NH 113 to the Horseshoe Pond Trail. Earthdance is located at 252 Prospect Street, Plainfield, Mass. You can also sometimes find interesting rocks like jasper and agates in the gravels of some public beaches. The Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society, for example, will be organizing about 15 field trips for rockhounding this year, including an overnight trip to seek fluorescent minerals with lights. American Geode went on a rockhounding (and foodie) tour of Maine in May 2018, and found the quarries very accessible, easy to find, and full of mica. Meteorites in Maine: Is the sky falling??? We are here for any questions or concerns that might arise about your adventures in mineral collecting. If youre planning on heading to the field, make sure you have all the gear youll need! The public is more than welcome to join the meetings and listen to the informative discussions. Your specific needs will depend on whether you are working on a mine dump or solid ledge. However, the hike was very pleasant and the quarries were very interesting. I collect just about anything that has color and a crystal shape to it, said Laurier Larry Turcotte, assistant treasurer for membership of the Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society. Additional suggestions are available in the Collector's Guide to Maine Mineral Localities. United States. Rock clubs offer their own lineup of field trips, often collaborating with nearby clubs. It really is a treasure hunt, said Jeff Farrin, vice president and field trip director of the Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society. The best places to rockhound in Maine are in old quarries and mines in the southwestern part of the state, particularly sites like Deer Hill, Lord Hill, Tamminen and Waisanen quarries, Mount Apatite, and Pingree Ledge quarry. Trenton Quarry. If you are coming to get rich forget it. Maine is home to quite a wide variety of rocks and minerals and, as a result, there there is almost no limit to the number of interesting material rockhounds can find here. If interested in rockhounding as a one-time activity, you could hire a local guide company such as Dig Maine Gems out of West Paris, Maine. website belongs to an official government organization in the Gloves and safety glasses are recommended, along with chisels, small shovels, and any additional tools that may come in handy. A few prime examples of rockhounding locations include the Pingree Ledge Quarry, Lord Hill, Deer Hill, and Mount Apatite. This way, you dont have to conduct your own research or invest in any equipment. WHEN: Opens Dec. 12; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Directions: Driving Directions can be found at this webpage: http://polandminingcamps.com/contact.html From the South Interstate 95 North, past Portland. Summerville, Georgia Agate Rockhounding Trip 2021, Gardening Benefit for Cabochon and Rock Tumbling Rockhounds, Field Trip to Union Chapel Mine/Steven C. Minkin Paleozoic Footprint Site Fossil Location. Be safe, never go underground, and make sure to get permission from the landowner to search for and collect specimens. However, if it is geodes youre after, youll have more luck if you explore the quarries in Washington and Hancock counties. The most commonly listed primary commodities in Oxford mines are Gemstone , Beryllium , and Feldspar . Oxford County Mineral and Gem Society awards scholarships when the funds allow, which provides the youth the opportunity to get into mineralogical and geology careers without the financial burden. The entrance looks completely prohibited but rest assured, once you park by the ball fields, walk past the Army National Guard signage, and go directly into the woods. Most clubs only charge $20 to $25 a year for families and about $15 for individual memberships. The more common minerals found are varieties of feldspar, quartz, topaz, phenakite, and garnet. And there are some lovely amethysts.. Maine is, without a doubt, the best state in New England for rock and mineral collectors thanks to the widespread, high-quality pegmatites that make up a large portion of the surface geology. to the trailhead. dacf@maine.gov Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. Rockhounding can get very dirty, so bring Wet-naps as they are very handy to clean off your hands quickly. Maine Gold Prospectors have made it their mission to teach anyone interested in rockhounding for gold the telltale signs that lead the way to gold. Dont let the name deceive you. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The foremost of these is a sturdy hammer for breaking loose and trimming specimens. Taking samples in Maine State Parks is prohibited without special permission. Theyre not made of strong enough metal and people have been hurt from metal chips breaking off the hammer when it hits rock.. This bundle of information includes a book, videos, and online tools. Turn right onto Greenwood Road and drive north west 5.30 miles. Other locations are open but at a fee, and some are only open to specific clubs. Through quite a bit of research and cross-referencing of available literature, I have compiled this list of some prospective locations in Maine which I would recommend to people looking to do some rockhounding. The ownership and status of land can and does change frequently, making it impossible to document accurate information for every location on this page. New Hampshire Rockhounding Location Guide & Map. Gradual uphill grad , easy to negotiate, wide path. Initially, the goal was to mine feldspar and sheet mica, which were both used to create a variety of products. A disclosure: On some outings to the pegmatite quarries, the driver of the caravans lead vehicle is me. The little town of Topsham is located in Sagadahoc County, Maine. TTY: Maine Relay 711 Augusta, ME 04333 This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Concentrating on granite pegmatite collecting, we also have a few . Because often times they are waterproof, and have zippers. the recreational lands map from the Maine Department of Conservation. All rights reserved. 22 State House Station Additional information on finding and identifying mineral specimens can be obtained from libraries, "rock shops," and the references listed below. 68.32 acres lot. One of the most common questions rockhounds have is whether or not they are allowed to collect at a certain location. To get started, you can check out my recommended gear page which contains my full reviews for every Geologists favorite rock hammer and the best hiking backpack Ive ever owned. Volume 2: Mining History, Gems, and Geology, Gemstones -- An Overview of Production of Specific U.S. Gemstones, Prospecting for Gold in the United States. These pegmatites are essentially volcanic intrusions with unusually large crystals and they make for the perfect source rock for collectors. The mine area is covered with small pieces of rock. At the junction with Horseshoe Pond Road (right) continue straight on the Mine Road approximately 0.5 mi. Fax: (207) 287-2400 Sorry, my experience with Mt. Those interested in becoming members can visit the societys website for application details. I think they are green frogs from the banjo sounding call. Topaz. Permits arevalid for 1 day at one mineral collecting site. A few basic tools are helpful in collecting minerals. <>>> Apatite Tourmaline and Beryl - (1 upload(s), 1 collector specimens from same city, 1 collector specimens from nearby locations) Bethel Songo Pond Mine - (1 collector specimens) Eastport ,Maine loring cove Poland Poland Mining Camps - Maine - (1 collector specimens from same city, 1 collector specimens from nearby locations) Small Point Hermit Island Almandine Garnet The American Geode found plenty of fine mica, and had a great time, and the reason we did not find other minerals as that we simply ran out of time. Hundreds of people explore the state each year in search of crystals, semiprecious gems, gold, and other minerals. The best rockhounding sites are usually at places that are currently being mined or have in the past but only a select number of locations are open to the public for free. Guided mineral collecting tours to multiple sites are available through the following. Maine is one of New England's most popular rock-hounding locations. amzn_assoc_title = "Here is some of my favorite rockhounding gear from Amazon"; Small quarry at top offers ponds and many turtles and frogs. Joining up with a local rockhounding club for a group trip can often get you access to otherwise off-limits locations like privately owned mines and quarries. You dont have to worry about tripping or falling.. Maine is home to a handful of active geology and mineral clubs. Club members go on field trips to mineral sites to study and collect specimens. Lord Hill is a granite pegmatite that was mined commercially for feldspar at one time. The most commonly found and collected rocks and minerals in Maine are: If youve already found a rock and youre not sure what it is, I would highly recommend checking out my Practical Rock Identification System. We came for the rock hunting. It wasnt long before the Groves adopted me. Specimens may become depleted from other collectors, the location may have been built on or altered, locality information in literature may be inaccurate, and property ownership may have changed hands. But its also just being outdoors, enjoying the outdoors. Some require permits or permission, some charge a small fee, and still others are open with little to no restrictions aside from treating the site with respect. Search for minerals in these rock fragments or in the walls of the mine. Examples of metamorphic mineral occurrences include the kyanite and staurolite crystals in mica schist at Windham, garnet crystals in schist and calcium-rich rocks at numerous places, and vesuvianite crystals in Sanford. Park your vehicle then hike up the Mine Road approximately 1.0 mi. TTY: Maine Relay 711 can I take a walker with me to help my balance and to rest on if needed I have parkensions and don't think I could walk a half mile, Mt. Pink, green and blue tourmaline, aquamarine beryl and deep red garnet, purple amethyst and sparkling lepidolite they all lie buried in Maine granite. Even if you are on land that is generally open for public use there may be privately owned mining claims inside those boundaries and youll need to get permission to collect on that location. From Deer Hill Rd., the trail descends moderately past the Styles grave, which is on the right of the trail, then enters a gravel road and turns right onto it. And a helmet should be worn if youre searching near a rock wall where small rocks could tumble down from overhead. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. People will always find something to take home, Kroenke said of rockhounding. It is, simply put, the most comprehensive and easy-to-understand rock identification system youll find anywhere. There are many benefits to becoming a rock and mineral club member, and the fees are typically affordable. The aptly-named Jasper Beach near Bucks Harbor is a great place to find some colorful jasper pebbles, and Loring Cove near Perry is known to turn up agates and other minerals like bloodstone and amethyst. Turn left on to Foxboro Road staying right for 2.1 mi. Rockhounding also known as field collecting or recreational mining is an outdoor activity in which everyday people search for valuable gems, fossils and other mineral treasures buried in the. All rights reserved. Tip: Check out my Complete Rockhounding Guide for tips on planning your rockhounding trip and getting the most out of your time in the field! Boots preferably steel-toed will make walking over uneven ground easier while also protecting your toes. Gem-quality specimens are found now and then, but even an opaque tourmaline crystal embedded in transparent quartz, or in a fine-grained lavender pegmatite mica called lepidolite, will look great on your coffee table. OCMGA holds a gem show during the second week of July at the Telstar High School gym. Augusta, ME 04333 This list of rockhound locations in Maine might seem short, but these arent the only locations. Map Information, 71 White Mountain Drive What a little gem in Auburn, nice little hike to do with kids. After all, we dont want the entire world digging into every great spot, do we? The Bibliography is part of the Maps and Publications Search. The most useful tools are sturdy hammers for breaking rocks open, and a small shovel for digging through piles of broken rock on the waste piles of mines and quarries. 113 in Stow, Maine turn right onto Deer Hill Rd (FR9). Bear right for 0.4 miles to permit area 1, bear left for 0.4 miles to permit area 2. The love for rocks, minerals, fossils, and precious stones has made rockhounding a popular hobby in New England. Those who go to the show can also expect a Grand door prize and second door prizes. Volume 1: Descriptive Mineralogy. It still is, around the world, but of course, things in the US get expensive.. The societys family-oriented meetings are usually held on the third Saturday of every month, from September through May. Go to a rock show or visit a major natural history museum anywhere, and you are likely to encounter specimens from the Maine pegs. Or you could get yourself to Maine and start a collection of your own. The Ryerson Hill Quarry and Crocker Hill Mines are two more great rockhound locations. The Norway Historical Society also has a fine display of local minerals. <> Apatite Reviews: 4.5/5. !v5mNufY_?H YZo23"@;mw@j]be@V\ F{qI0ilB[7T$bm6 k # d>8y.1a ~tx&.oQ Hir.)nFrS'i|`pFB e9`rNY!uH 6m::exR!yR .n Like pilots, mineral collectors love to share their activity and their know-how. They come in small travel packs. From the South: From Maine Route 5 in Lovell, Maine turn west onto West Lovell Road and cross the narrows at Kezar Lake continuing to the right for approximately 2.75 mi. Each year when summer arrives in Maine, enthusiastic parties of rock hunters head into the field to search for gemstones and other geological rarities in the states world-famous mineral collecting localities. ( Queen's frontman had said he . Notable minerals and rocks in Maine Gemstones and minerals are found abundantly in Maine. Image Credits Some of the most important minerals and gems in Maine are tourmalines, beryl, and quartz. I read about bringing bug spray but totally forgot to bring some. Mineral collecting is an inexpensive hobby that can be enjoyed by all age groups, and offers the fringe benefits of outdoor recreation and the opportunity to learn about earth science. Please read and comply with the conditions stated on the permit. WHAT ELSE: The first 200 school-age children to enter the museum on Dec. 14, with an adult, get a piece . United States government. Document Viewers - including PDF and Word. There are so many trails to take and I wasn't familiar with any of them. I would probably start by doing a property records search and getting whatever contact information you can for the landowner. UScellular donates $28,150 in wireless hotspots and service to Penquis Community Action Program, UMaine system chancellors new contract shows rocky relations with trustees, Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society, Oxford County Mineral and Gem Association, Invasive fish that took over lakes now threatens the rest of Maine, Auburn police seize more than 30 pounds of fentanyl, This Maine ski town may crack down on short-term rentals, Small Aroostook town has mishandled tax records for years, state says, Spring storm will batter Maine with winds up to 55 mph, Maine sees regional high school as model despite failed attempts, Supreme Court looks ready to ax Maine law letting governments profit from home seizures, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Crystals are often delicate, and are most desirable if still attached to some of their host rock, so it is advisable to carefully extract them and wrap them in paper for the trip home. Garnet (almandine), Beryl, Biotite, Fluorapatite, Microcline, Muscovite, Quartz, Schorl.
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