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FIELD TRIP ANNOUNCEMENTS (upcoming)

In order to keep our promise of "99% digging and 1% talk," I am forced to schedule these upcoming events for the club 8^):

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Since so many people found so much purple on the fieldtrip to Diamond Hill, we thought we'd try to keep our streak going and continue to look for amethyst. With that in mind, a fieldtrip to the Jacksons Crossroads site has been scheduled.

This trip is open to everyone. You do not have to be a member of the MAGMA organization to attend. But, we're betting you'll want to join by the end of the weekend! (Membership is FREE)

Camping: Terry Ledford has graciously agreed to allow our group to camp on the property starting on Friday night. Campers may NOT arrive before 5PM. There will be no collecting on Friday evening. We'll just gather around a campfire, swap stories and food as usual, and wait for the sun to come up the next morning before any rockhounding activities take place. The 5PM arrival time will be strictly enforced. Details: The dig will cost $15 per person per day, instead of the usual $25 fee. Children 12 and under can collect for free when accompanied by a paying adult. You get to keep everything that you find. Camping is free. This is a rustic location, meaning there is no running water, electricity or bathroom facilities. There will be a lot of new material to go through, since Terry will be working there while we are at his site. He'll be generating new dump piles, as well as moving old ones, before we arrive. There will be boulders and large rocks that can be worked with handtools (sledges, etc.).and safety glasses must be used while doing hard rock work. The pit will be roped off. Absolutely no collecting will be allowed in the pit or near the machine.

DIRECTIONS Take I-85 South to the second exit in Georgia. Turn right at the top of the ramp. This is 17 South. Follow 17 South through Elberton. Take 17 South all the way to Tignall. You will see a Tignall town limits sign as you enter the town. Turn RIGHT at the first (and only) traffic light in Tignall. (Independence) Stay on this road for about 8 miles. You will see a cemetery opposite the Clark Station Church. Turn right onto Hollis Norman Road.just across the road from the church, in front of the cemetery. Go just a short distance and you will see a metal gate on the right. Drive past it, and turn right into the first dirt road you come to. There is a metal gate at this point. Go through the gate and drive to the mine. Sign in at the metal hut.

IF YOU ARE COMING FROM THE SOUTH: Take 17 North from the town of Washington into Tignall. Turn left at the only traffic light in Tignall, then follow the rest of the directions above to get to Jackson Crossroads. Hand tools only are allowed at the mine: shovel, pick, hammer, chisel, etc. No power tools, jackhammers, or motorized equipment, backhoes or bulldozers. Keep the Property clean. Remove any trash that you see at the site, whether it is yours or left by others, this will help keep the site open to collecting. When you are at Jackson Crossroads, do not go inside the area that is roped off. This is the pit area where Terry Ledford is working commercially.

COLLECTING TIPS: Wear gloves. Gem tips can be sharp, and gloves will help protect you. You can work the dump piles that are all over the property. I would suggest taking the first hour or so that you are on the property and just walking all over the piles, looking for any glimmer of light reflecting from a crystal or a change in color in the ground. Amethyst may look darker than the surrounding dirt. It doesn't always glitter in the sunlight, it may depend on which angle you are approaching it from. Sometimes, only a small tip of a larger crystal is showing. Look closely at anything that looks different than the surrounding dirt. More often than not, the dark amethyst forms in pockets of white clay, so if you see any signs of that, that is where you want to look. Poke around in the white clay with your hands, a screwdriver or a knife.carefully, so you don't ding anything. Patience can be rewarded with a nice cluster, sometimes several clusters. Break large rocks with a sledgehammer. The ones that look more porous than the others usually have better odds of containing amethyst vugs, but you never know. In many cases, if you smack a boulder with a vug in it, the rock will shatter along the existing fault line and not cause damage to the crystals. (Always wear safety glasses when you are breaking rocks, and make sure no one is nearby who might be injured by flying chips.) Turn over every rock you see and inspect it. If it has white clay or red clay in it, poke into the mud to see if it is hiding crystals. For large boulders, get down on your hands and knees and peer under them. Sometimes you'll see a vug that would otherwise be hidden. Also, if you see a dump pile that has a large area of dark red clay in it, dig there. Squeeze EVERY mud clump with your hands to see if something is hidden inside. Working the dump piles, especially the newer ones, can also reward you handsomely. Use a sturdy rake or other hand tool to slowly move the dirt. Take your time. Break open each and every cluster of mud with your hands..whether it is dark red clay or white clay. The crystals can be in either. Pick a place and poke around patiently. Sometimes it takes a while to get down to the good stuff. Due to the intense heat we've had this summer, the top layer of the dumps could be baked hard. Digging down a bit should get you into softer soil. When you are working the dump piles, look for clumps of clay that tumble down oddly, kind of like they have something heavy inside them. That's usually a sign that they do indeed have something worthwhile inside. Hand tools only are allowed at the mine: shovel, pick, hammer, chisel, etc. No power tools, jackhammers, or motorized equipment, backhoes or bulldozers. Keep the Property clean. Remove any trash that you see at the site, whether it is yours or left by others, this will help keep the site open to collecting. When you are at Jackson Crossroads, do not go inside the area that is roped off. This is the pit area where Terry Ledford is working commercially.

Ben E. Clement Gem & Mineral Show
June 7 and 8, 2008

MAGMA is making the annual gem show and dig at the Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum in Marion, Kentucky an official fieldtrip for the club. There will be no fieldtrip leader on this one, because the museum's volunteers will be overseeing activities at each of the mines that will be open to digging.

All you have to do is show up at the museum and sign in each morning!

They'll provide maps and directions to the various sites. As always, the cost for their digs is $20 per five gallon bucket of material collected. You pay in advance for the first one in the
morning when you sign in.

If you've never been to Marion, it's an experience you should make sure you have more than once in your life. And, if you've been there before, you already know what I'm talking about.

In addition to multiple collecting localities, you can also visit the Gem & Mineral Show which will feature a wide variety of vendors. Admission to the show is $2.00 per person and free for children ages 6 and under. (Make sure you stop in to visit MAGMA member Donna's booth while you're there!)

If you've never had the opportunity to tour the fantastic collection the museum houses, make sure you leave a little extra time in your schedule to wander through their amazing selection of fluorite specimens and their fluorescent room.

The museum is normally open for business Wednesdays through Saturdays From 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

You can contact them with any questions at the following numbers: 270-965-4263 or toll-free at 877-965-4263.

Or, you can contact them through their website:
http://www.marionkentucky.us/clementmineralmuseum/index.htm

Colburn Museum Gem and Mineral Show
Pack Place, Downtown Asheville, N.C.
June 13th-15th, 2008

Come visit the MAGMA booth at the Colburn Museums annual gem and mineral show in downtown Asheville N.C.. 10% discount for MAGMA members!

Crabtree Emerald Mine Machine Dig!
Spruce Pine N.C.
July 4th-6th

Trackhoe machine dig at the Crabtree Mine! The machine will arrive Friday and work Friday afternoon, Saturday and part of Sunday. We will also have a portable water pump to hose down the dump piles to help locate the emerald crystals. Members can begin arriving Thursday evening to setup camp for the weekend. There will be a fireworks display Friday night to celebrate the 4th!

Facilities: Porta Potties on site.

Cost:
$30.00 per person for one day
$50.00 per person for two days
$60.00 per person for three days

Children 12 and under are free with adult.

Tools:
Shovel, bucket, 1/4" screen, small sledgehammer, large sledgehammer, rubber boots, rockpick.

Directions: Go to the Crabtree Mine webpage for directions.

Hosted by:
M.A.G.M.A., the Mountain Area Gem and Mineral Association,
and "DirtyRockhounds", the #1 rocktalk board on the internet.

Loacation: "Jacquots Rock Ranch", 3897 Leicester Hwy., Leicester, North Carolina 28748 (just outside the city of Asheville).

This event will be based at the property of Richard Jacquot. This property is located just outside the city of Asheville, just 20 minutes drive from the famous Little Pine Garnet Mine in Madison County, N.C.. We have room for up to 5 RV's to camp on the property, numerous places for tent camping, no hookups. Water will be supplied to refill water tanks etc.. Portable toilets for men and women will be on site. MAGMA member Jeff Nagy will be providing an electric panel to be used by the campers. This will eliminate any shorts or low voltage problems. There is a large campfire pit for use by campers. I have also installed an outside shower for use by the campers.

Agenda: We have coordinated this event to coincide with the Grassy Creek Gem and Mineral show in Spruce Pine N.C., this is the best annual show in the southeast.

Starting Wednesday the 30th, we will conduct fieldtrips to various mines in the Western North Carolina area, mines to be announced at a later date. Each trip will be led by a MAGMA member who has experience at each site. We will also have groups going to the gem shows in Spruce Pine as well.

Wednesday the 30th: Little Pine Garnet Mine, Madison County, N.C.. We will depart the camp at 8:00 to drive to the mine approximately 12 miles away. Once at the mine office, we will fill out a release form and pay a reduced rate of $15.00 per person for our Roundup attendees. We will be collecting large almandine garnet crystals, some are cutting grade but most are specimen grade being replaced by chlorite/mica and iron. You may dig inside the old mine using a headlamp, rockhammer, small sledgehammer, chisels. Or dig in the dump piles outside with a rake, or shovel. Crystals as large as 8-10 pounds have been recovered in the last three years at this mine.

Each day of the Roundup, members will give demonstrations on wirewrap, gemcutting etc. Display tables will be available to show off your favorite specimens. The members have a cookout in the evening and a big campfire. Saturday the MAGMA club will provide a huge meal to feed everyone. There will be tables setup throughout the week for people to sell and trade their rocks and minerals, gems and jewelry. Each evening we will have an outdoor theater showing movies related to rocks, minerals, and fossils to include: "Mining Opal in Austrailia, Richard Holmes", "Red Treasure of the Rockies, mining Rhodochrosite at the Sweet Home Mine in Colorado", "The Gem Hunter in Afghanistan, Gary Bowersox", "Exploring the Mines of Western North Carolina, Richard Jacquot", "Drift Diving for Fossils, Richard Jacquot". This year we will have many new dvd's and slideshows to watch as well!

On Saturday a club guide will lead a fieldtrip to a local mine to be determined by the members. At 1:00 p.m. Jerry and I will begin cooking. We will eat at 3:00 p.m.. This years menu will include pulled bbq, hotdogs, hamburgers, turkey burgers and much more. Softdrinks will be provided. Attendees should bring a side dish or desert and other drink if they prefer.

Cost: $10.00 per person, this covers all 5 days of the Roundup.

Accomodations: Free camping on the Jacquot property for the first 5 RV's and numerous tents.

There are two excellent KOA campgrounds in the area:
East Asheville KOA: reservations:1-800-562-5907, information: 828-686-3121
West Asheville KOA: reservations: 1-800-562-9015, information: 828-665-7015

For those who would rather stay in a hotel in the area, visit this website http://asheville.hotelguide.net/

This roundup is open to all clubs and anyone visiting the area from out of town who would like to attend. Remember to bring plenty of rocks and minerals to trade, sell, and show.

To view reports from previous Rockhound Roundups, go to www.wncrocks.com and click on the "MAGMA" link.
For more information, contact Rick Jacquot at: 828-683-1048 or email rick@wncrocks.com

Graves Mountain
Open House
"Rock Swap and Dig"

8 am to 6 pm, Friday, October 3, 2008
8 am to 6 pm, Saturday, October 4, 2008
8 am to 6 pm, Sunday, October 5, 2008

Junior has advised me he plans to hold a three day dig on the Mountain, October 3rd-5th, 2008. He will have the mountain open to collecting from 8 am to 6 pm each day. M.A.G.M.A. members are invited to arrive on Thursday to collect if they like, I will be there Thursday morning setting up my MAGMA sales booth. All participants must stop at the welcome table to sign a release form and make a small donation to help cover the cost of opening the mountain and providing portable toilets and golf carts. There will be several golf carts and four wheeled vehicles available to transport people who have trouble walking long distances. The dig will cease and everyone is expected to be off the mountain by around 6:00 pm each day. Participants will be allowed to park in a designated area on the mountain only.

Rock Swap and Hot Food/Drinks:
Junior will set aside an area in the upper parking lot for tables to be setup for daily rock swaps. Anyone who would like to setup a table(s), please contact Junior at the phone numbers listed below. Hot food cooked on the grill, cold drinks and chips will be available for purchase on the mountain during all three days of these events. Don't forget to bring some extra money to buy the special "Graves Mountain Rock Swap and Dig" T-shirt!

THESE DIGS ARE OPEN TO ALL ROCKHOUNDS!

Contact Information:
Junior Norman- 706-359-3862 (his business) or 706-359-2381 (his home) Due to recent unethical and unsafe digging practices conducted at Graves by a small handfull of diggers, new rules have been applied to the mine: Graves Mountain is ONLY accessible and open for mineral collecting by groups of at least two persons, colleges, universities, and gem and mineral societies. INDIVIDUAL mineral collectors can no longer reserve the mountain, thanks to the above mentioned diggers! In order to gain access, you will need to contact the caretaker, Junior Norman at 706-359-3862 (his business) or 706-359-2381 (his home). Call and he can reserve the mountain exclusively for your group. All mineral clubs that come here to collect, offer the caretaker a donation for his trouble and effort in keeping the mountain open and accessable to them. GRAVES MOUNTAIN CODE OF CONDUCT!!! Park your vehicle in the designated area at the end of the paved access road. NO child under the age of 12 years old is to be allowed on the mountain because of all the dangers involved.

ALL pets must be kept under control and on a leash.

The caretaker, Junior Norman has final and absolute say as to where you may safely work.

Ladders or power tools of any kind will not be allowed. (HAND TOOLS ONLY!)

STAY AWAY FROM ALL HIGH WALLS!!

NO RAPPELLING OFF OF ANYTHING!!!!!

NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLE ON ANY PART OF GRAVES MOUNTAIN BEYOND THE PARKING AREA! (The caretaker must accompany anyone driving beyond the parking area!)
EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE OFF THE MOUNTAIN BY DUSK. (Absolutely no one is allowed on Graves Mountain after dark.)

Please protect our ability to field collect at Graves Mountain!

Report violations to:
Junior Norman
Norman C E Wrecking Co
3333 C E Norman Rd
Lincolnton, GA 30817-3110
706-359-3862 (his business)
or
706-359-2381 (his home)
All reported violations will be held in strict confidence.