Bennett Quarry-Orchard Pit, Buckfield, Oxford County, Maine
Aug 20, 2014 18:50:44 GMT -5
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Post by 150FromFundy on Aug 20, 2014 18:50:44 GMT -5
Laura and I spent a few days in Oxford County, Maine this summer. This is a famous pegmatite district where there are a whole lot of mines and quarries are within a 30 minute to 45 minute drive of Bethel. We camped at Bethel Outdoor Adventures which is set up for canoes, kayaks, tubing and mountain bikes. The owners could not understand why we stayed for three nights and never hit the water. I didn’t take the time to explain the truth about rockhounds.
Base Camp
We paid the trespass fee/guide fee and spent an afternoon of “keep what you find” collecting at the Bennett Quarry in Buckfield. The Bennett Quarry opened up in the 1920’s for feldspar which was used in ceramics. The pegmatite also contained over 50 other minerals at this location which were collateral damage and left behind in the early days.
Bennett Quarry – Tailings Pile
The Orchard Pit was an early prospect that was later opened up for its beryl. Some of the most amazing colours have come from this famous location. The two locations have grown together and the tailings piles have been stirred up.
Orchard Pit
The tailings are still actively screened and trucked off to supply the numerous “sift and screen” locations for kids and tourists alike. There’s quite a few locations where you can buy a bucket and screen for gemstone fragments.
Excavator and Screen
Hurtin’ Truck
These are a few of our finds. They don’t look like much from far, but we did find some interesting stuff including some SW fluorescent minerals and one crystal that would have covered the cost of our trespass/guide fee had I chosen to part with it. I’ll post some specimen photos soon.
Darryl.
Base Camp
We paid the trespass fee/guide fee and spent an afternoon of “keep what you find” collecting at the Bennett Quarry in Buckfield. The Bennett Quarry opened up in the 1920’s for feldspar which was used in ceramics. The pegmatite also contained over 50 other minerals at this location which were collateral damage and left behind in the early days.
Bennett Quarry – Tailings Pile
The Orchard Pit was an early prospect that was later opened up for its beryl. Some of the most amazing colours have come from this famous location. The two locations have grown together and the tailings piles have been stirred up.
Orchard Pit
The tailings are still actively screened and trucked off to supply the numerous “sift and screen” locations for kids and tourists alike. There’s quite a few locations where you can buy a bucket and screen for gemstone fragments.
Excavator and Screen
Hurtin’ Truck
These are a few of our finds. They don’t look like much from far, but we did find some interesting stuff including some SW fluorescent minerals and one crystal that would have covered the cost of our trespass/guide fee had I chosen to part with it. I’ll post some specimen photos soon.
Darryl.
you could go. There were also a few locals that owned & operated rock shops. Circa early 80's. We enjoyed the people & the rock hunting......IV
