| Field trip to the HOGG MINE - April 26, 2008 Troup County, Lagrange, Georgia |
Over 30 adults and 8 children attended the dig at the Hogg Mine held on Saturday, April 26, 2008. It
was a hot and dry day, although quite tolerable in the shade. On this trip it was important to have
plenty of drinking water. As the weather grows warmer on future digs an adequate supply of drinking
water will become even more essential. Might give some thought to bringing a beach umbrella as well -
makes a world of difference on a sunny day.
It seems that strong blue facet grade aquamarine is being found as of late on almost every trip. This
trip was no exception, as can be seen below. There has also been a lot of interest in the tourmaline
area. As the pictures show, this area continues to produce some excellent specimens.
The next trip is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2008 with Bill Mitcham as trip leader. For those who
don't know him, Bill is a great guy and is especially helpful to newcomers. For details and directions
see Rodney's field trip page at www.dixieeuhedrals.com.
Pictures from April 26, 2008:
was a hot and dry day, although quite tolerable in the shade. On this trip it was important to have
plenty of drinking water. As the weather grows warmer on future digs an adequate supply of drinking
water will become even more essential. Might give some thought to bringing a beach umbrella as well -
makes a world of difference on a sunny day.
It seems that strong blue facet grade aquamarine is being found as of late on almost every trip. This
trip was no exception, as can be seen below. There has also been a lot of interest in the tourmaline
area. As the pictures show, this area continues to produce some excellent specimens.
The next trip is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2008 with Bill Mitcham as trip leader. For those who
don't know him, Bill is a great guy and is especially helpful to newcomers. For details and directions
see Rodney's field trip page at www.dixieeuhedrals.com.
Pictures from April 26, 2008:
Even with a good turnout the mine isn't really crowded.
A nice gemmy find of aquamarine.
Marcy finds a nice beryl crystal.
As does Marie.
A nice glassy crystal.
Sometimes the beryl is fractured. The red staining on the interior
of the piece indicates that it was already broken, unlike what I did
to a fragment later in the day.
of the piece indicates that it was already broken, unlike what I did
to a fragment later in the day.
A nice glassy rod in matrix.
It does take a bit of effort, but there is plenty to be found.
One of Don's Finds. Don and Marie are here regularly. Check
out their website www.first-frontier-inc.com for tools and
lapidary equipment.
out their website www.first-frontier-inc.com for tools and
lapidary equipment.
Marcy finds a piece of strong blue aquamarine with a water clear
area that will cut a nice stone.
area that will cut a nice stone.
This find also promises to yield facet grade aquamarine.
The tourmaline area is well worth spending some time at. It is
still for the most part unexplored since the last time that Rodney
dug it out with a machine. The large crystal below has an almost
perfect termination.
still for the most part unexplored since the last time that Rodney
dug it out with a machine. The large crystal below has an almost
perfect termination.
While digging in a wall I hit a fragment with my hammer. Didn't
mean to, but it happens. Inside - rich blue water clear
aquamarine. I will not know the size of the facetable pieces until
I get it sawn down, but it has a good deal of potential.
mean to, but it happens. Inside - rich blue water clear
aquamarine. I will not know the size of the facetable pieces until
I get it sawn down, but it has a good deal of potential.