Fieldtrip Report:

Due West, Jones Mine
Diamond Hill Mine
November 18th and 19th, 2006

photos: Steve Bonney and Jerry Fortenberry
text: Steve Barr

Our exploratory dig at the historic Jones Mine was quite an experience. Ed Cansler was kind enough to convince the owner to allow a MAGMA fieldtrip to his property, and several of us camped out the night before. As soon as the sun came up, more and more members began to arrive.

There were huge tailings piles to rummage through, and several people managed to unearth nice specimens to add to their collections.

Ed pointed out an area where he had been finding amethyst, and the hordes attacked it immediately.

The best specimens had been coming from a gravel layer just below the red clay, so members clustered there and began digging while Ed gave them advice on what to look for.

Unfortunately, recent rains in the area had flooded some of the most promising areas. Deep pools of water prevented us from reaching some of the best spots.

Patience and persistence paid off though, as everyone continued digging in the dump piles and working the gravel layer.

Ed and Roseanna moved a ton of earth, digging a great little trench that eventually paid off handsomely for them at the end of the day. (For any of you who don't recognize it, that's Roseanna's knee in the lower left corner of the photo..I hear she did a great job of encouraging Ed to keep digging until he found something!)

A little sweat and hard work are what it's all about.

Finally, gems began popping out of the earth. Some were smokies, some were amethyst. A variety of sizes were uncovered, and several lucky diggers got to take a nice little piece of history home with them.

Here are a few of the pieces MAGMA folks found. Many more were carted out, but I didn't manage to get pictures of them.

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