Field Trip Report:
John Deney's South Dakota Trip,
September, 2004
by John DeneyThis is Part 1 of my Black Hills, SD trip. The Black Hills are much like Western NC, with 100's of pegmatite mines. They don't have corundum minerals, but have many varieties of agates with Fairburns being the main prize. I just read Bob Morgan's post. Bob is an experienced, expert rockhound and has been very helpful to me. I only wish he would have written his book years ago. Until his book comes out, I suggest the following sources of info for prospecting. MATRIX magazine, issue Summer 2002. "The Mineral History of South Dakota - Part One". Part Two is also available and great. $7 each through www.matrixpublishing.com or call 717-432-7201. Great pictures, plus history and location of many mines. Bulletin Number 18,"Mineralogy of the Black Hills" by Roberts and Rapp. Available through South Dakota School of Mines, Rapid City, SD. About $20. Lists most of the minerals found in the Hills and tells which are found in which mine plus gives coordinates of the mines."Black Hills National Forest" map by the Forest Service. Excellent map with coordinates of mines listed in above publications can be easily located. Available in all Forest Service office for about $5. For agate locations, etc. "Fairburn Agate, Gem of South Dakota" by Roger Clark. Great book on all the types of agates found in SD. Can be bought at many rock shops or directly from Roger at clarkagat@aol.com. About $20. You MUST see: 1. Black Hills Institute in Hill City. Paleontology displays (fabulous) and minerals (weak). Supply fossils to museums around the entire world. 2. Mineral collection (fabulous) and fossils (weak) at SD School of Mines Museum in Rapid City. 3. Of course, Mount Rushmore.
Beryl
Beryl with mica
Agate
Agate
Agate
Green tourmaline
Green tourmaline
Blue tourmaline
Indian scraper
Orthacerous fossil
Orthacerous fossil
Blue tourmaline
Black tourmaline
