Fieldtrip Report:

Franklin Mineral Museum and Buckwheat Pit Dumps
Franklin, New Jersey
July 21, 2008
By Steve Bonney

Photos by Steve Bonney and Tammy Collins-Bonney

It always pays to be flexible and have backup plans when it comes to mineral collecting trips. I had planned a trip to the northeast to visit family which would allow me to visit about five mines, thanks in part to Hydrogeologist, but some unplanned dental work, plus a serious stomach virus nearly nixed all of that. Fortunately (hard to say), a lack of collecting and some resulting rest, let me heal from my dental torture sessions and beat the stomach bug just in time to get one last shot at some rocks on the way home.

Our destination was the Franklin Mineral Museum and Buckwheat Pit dumps of Franklin, New Jersey. Our quarry, no pun intended, was the incredible fluorescent minerals for which this area is famous. It isn’t known as “The Fluorescent Mineral Capital of the World” for nothing.

Zinc mining is what put this locality on the map and the museum celebrates the rich history of the mines, the miners, and the minerals.

The museum collections consist of thousands of specimens and historical artifacts.

On display are Native American artifacts, fossils, a systematic mineral collection, an extensive collection of local minerals, and one of the largest fluorescent mineral displays in the world.

The Museum has even created a two-story indoor replica of a mine. This is especially fun for the many school groups which visit the museum.

The pulse quickens as we descend the path leading to the Buckwheat Pit dumps, which encompass about 3.5 acres.

Glowhound and rockhound heaven. The Buckwheat Pit has sixty-six minerals and seven type locality minerals to its credit. New minerals are still being discovered here.

The museum has two UV test shacks on the property. One is located outside the museum and the other is beside the main dump area. The first one has two running electric UV cabinets. The lower one has no power so portable UV lights are needed to test your finds.

As with any new site it took a little time to develop an eye for what we were supposed to be looking for, without the help of UV light, but that came fairly quickly after a few trips to the test shack.

Calcite (red), Willemite (green), and Franklinite (black non-fluorescent) under shortwave UV light.

Willemite (green) under shortwave UV light. Some, not all, Willemite specimens are strongly phosphorescent, they continue glowing after the UV source is removed.

Calcite (red), Willemite (green), and Franklinite (black non-fluorescent) under shortwave UV light.

Calcite (red), Willemite (green), and Franklinite (black non-fluorescent) under shortwave UV light.

My family had a great time inside and outside of the museum. This little test trip will pave the way for what will hopefully be many future trips. Join us sometime.

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