cliff43j
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2024
Posts: 2
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Post by cliff43j on Oct 13, 2024 11:47:40 GMT -5
Hi! I am a retired earth science teacher, among other things. My 2 grandsons, ages 8 & 9, are homeschooled. I have promised to take them mining in Arkansas to find some quartz crystals. This is to be a learning field trip, part of their education. I want them to learn about the geology of the area, how the crystals formed, mining practices, etc.. I DO NOT WANT THEM TO JUST SORT THROUGH PILES OF TAILINGS. We have at least 3 successful miners from my grandfather's generation in the family, and the boys seem to have it in their blood too...lol... Unfortunately, the family miners are all deceased, and their claims sold, so that doesn't help us. Also, we belong to the Houston Gem & Mineral Society, Faceting Club, and the boys are learning to make cabochons and to facet. So, their interest is genuine.
Where do you suggest mining? Right now, I am looking at Twin Creeks and Judy's - 2 different types of mining and crystal formations/clarity. We are looking at some time after November 2 which is their Jiu-Jitsu tournament. What can we expect for weather there at that time of the year?
It is a fairly long drive for me at 8 hours - 5 neck and back surgeries, 80 years old. I am seriously thinking about making it a 2-day mining effort to give my back a wee bit of a break between the long drives. Cost gets to be a factor though. Are there reasonably priced accommodations in that area? If so, where do you suggest?
I am open to hearing from all.
Thanks,
Cliff.
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 13, 2024 12:03:32 GMT -5
Hey Cliff! Welcome to the forum from South Dakota!  Very nice intro. I wish I had some information for you on your mining questions...but I don't have a clue on that! Kudos for passing on the "bug" to your grandsons. |
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cliff43j
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2024
Posts: 2
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Post by cliff43j on Oct 13, 2024 12:05:29 GMT -5
lol...the "bug" has to be genetic...lol... ;-)
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Post by opalpyrexia on Oct 13, 2024 16:04:22 GMT -5
Welcome from Washington.
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Post by chris1956 on Oct 13, 2024 17:20:37 GMT -5
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Post by whalecottagedesigns on Oct 13, 2024 20:36:00 GMT -5
Welcome from Dubai!
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Post by HankRocks on Oct 14, 2024 19:07:51 GMT -5
cliff43j Saw your post so I will give you a fresh outlook as I just got back yesterday afternoon after 5 days of digging in Arkansas. I will not sugar coat it, we had the worst week of digging in 30 years of trips. Went to 5 mines and the only one that stood out was Ron Colemans. Washed all his off today and almost none of the points we gathered off the piles were undamaged. Colemans is tailings only. I did get a couple of nice points, but must will be tumble stock. Judy's is no longer in business, her shop and Fisher Mt has been purchased by new big kid on the block. We went up and it was mostly tailings. We did manage to find one small vein/pocket from which we got about 8 - 9 palm sized clusters, have not been washed yet so not graded them. The tailings were pretty empty. Went to Twin Creek to look at potential pocket digs which start at $300 and go up. Walked the pocket area and did not see any that got our attention. Saw what two different groups pulled out of the tailings and it was meager. Went to Wegner's. They do 2 hour sessions @ $20 each with 3 max for the day which the hardrock mining is usually good enough to keep us there 6 hours. We left after 4 hours as we could not find any veins with potential and the tailings we walked over were mostly empty. Two new mines in the area, however the cost is the issue. The "I Me" mine near Jesseville. We did get into a few small pockets and veins that opened up. The rock is very hard!!, those hammers and chisels were ringing!! We did get a few nice clusters and single points. The one downside, it cost $150 to dig. They had tailings dig for $45. The owner just got a new trackhoe, that was not yet running. If he gets that going he could get into decent stuff. The other new mine was Pine Ridge, west of Mt Ida. The mine is still small and you need to hit a pocket to do well. We paid $125 for half a day. The owner was very helpful but we just could not get into a pocket. There are decent crystals coming out as we saw some at a local show Mt Ida had on Sat and Sun. If he gets more pockets open then it could be worth it. A full day runs $240. Unfortunately the big trend is that some of the mines will sell you a pocket that can run up to $1000. Not my cup of tea. The new big player on the scene has bought up a good number of mines and claims as he has the resources to overbid on Forrest Service leases and private mines. It's effectively pricing out small guys who have been the staple of Quartz digging in Arkansas. Anyway that's our experience from last week. We are considering where we can go for our digging get togethers in the future. I would not rule out Wegners as they were moving rock to supposedly give access to veins. The same may be true for "I Me" if they get the trackhoe running. (If you have to buy crystal I will be at the Clear Lake Show in Pasadena in February selling and always have Arkansas Quartz, how's that for shameless self-promotion!!. I also do two Craft Shows in the Cypress area this Fall) Good luck and let me know if you have any questions. Henry
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Post by HankRocks on Oct 14, 2024 19:32:00 GMT -5
cliff43j I did not read your original post close enough, you said two grandsons. I believe that kids are generally free. You can confirm that. Henry
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python
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2024
Posts: 294
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Post by python on Oct 14, 2024 23:21:24 GMT -5
Welcome!
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Post by 1dave on Oct 15, 2024 9:36:19 GMT -5
cliff43j , you posted in the Shout box, I hope you find your way back to this thread. 
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 655
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Post by rocknrob on Oct 15, 2024 17:13:50 GMT -5
Welcome! I hope you get those kids really interested!
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titaniumkid
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 512
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Post by titaniumkid on Oct 17, 2024 2:22:00 GMT -5
Hi from Australia Got no advice but it sounds like an awesome trip! |
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