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Post by captbob on Feb 20, 2015 14:34:11 GMT -5
Those of us whom have been bitten by the Rock Collecting Bug, which are unfortunate enough to live in Florida, have but a few specimen types that are indigenous to our state to collect or have in our collections. And of those few, we kinda have to push the "it's a rock" to the limit. Other than the calcite specimens which come from the Lecanto area, our "rocks" are more along the lines of "it became a rock". Sort of like pet wood or dino bone, wasn't a rock to start with, but evolved into one. Other than the Lecanto calcite specimens (note to self: really need to do a thread on those someday) those of us in the peninsular portion of the state have agatized coral and calcified clams - neither having started out as a "rock", but it's what we have to work with. Heck, Agatized Coral is our State Rock; that's how desperate we are for a rock! Most of you have seen jamesp threads and posts with agatized coral from Florida, and I posted a thread with several of my pieces. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/67877/florida-agatized-stuff-picture-heavySo, being it's too cold to do much else today, here's some of Florida's other rock. These calcite clams are from a collecting site called Ruck's Pit. This place is near Fort Drum down in in Okeechobee County, (down by the big lake). Some called it a mine, but it's really a quarry. Material there was dug out to be used to make roads. I could spend a hour typing about the place, but that's not on my agenda for today. Here are a couple links to read about the quarry and how the clams became calcified. The piece in this link is a multi-thousand dollar dream! www.apalachee-minerals.com/Calcite_Pages/Matrix_XL/Matrix_XL.htm And here is a 25 page PDF for those that want to know more: segs.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/SEGS-Guidebook-45.pdfI've been semi collecting these things for years, here are a couple pics of some in one of my display cases.   Recently, I came across a seller on eBay (at least it wasn't craigslist!) that has been listing some pretty nice pieces at very reasonable prices. Best part is, he is in my town - like 5 miles away. (huge grin) Aside: some of these clams listed on eBay are insanely over priced. Like 3 4 even 500 dollars!! Just totally wacko prices. They never sell, but what are these people thinking?? Back to the local seller... Anyway, I won several of his auctions and arranged for local pick up. A Dunkin' Donuts parking lot to be precise. Not that the location matters, it's the meeting up with the seller that is relevant to the story. To keep ya'll from going cross-eyed reading all this blather, here's a few pictures of a few of the pieces I got from him. Then back to the story. (lucky you!)    Okay, ya better now? SO... when I met up with the seller we spent quite a bit of time chatting about (wait for it...) clams. First off, this gentleman is probably a hand full of years older than I, guessing low 60s (?) Seems HIS father got into collecting these calcite clams down at Ruck's Pit decades ago, (you see this coming yet?) then, his brother followed along with the father doing the collecting. Finally, the man I met up with got interested and joined in on the Florida style "rock" hounding. Just so happens that my new best friend is (I should do a "to be continued..." here)  |
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Post by captbob on Feb 20, 2015 14:37:22 GMT -5
Where was I...  Oh yeah. My calcite clam chum currently considers a change of climate to the confines of Colorado to be called for. Soon.  Have I mentioned the rather extensive clam, coral, fossil collection of considerable weight and volume that he, along with his father and brother have amassed? That he doesn't want to move across the country. My checkbook and I have an appointment with my new buddy and his bountiful buckets of booty Monday afternoon. NOW I can say: to be continued... I'm gonna be in SO much trouble. AGAIN. |
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Post by snowmom on Feb 20, 2015 16:27:27 GMT -5
WOW, I'd be shivering like a bird dog on point! The ones you have in your hot little hands are great. I'm STaying tuned for the rest of the story!  |
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Post by 150FromFundy on Feb 20, 2015 16:41:51 GMT -5
I saw some of these calcite clams at a rock show in Bethel, Maine last summer. They were quite pricey, so I didn't add one to my collection.
The dealer said that the pit is no longer accessible. I think the story was that a subdivision was developed around it and the pit is now a recreational lake. That may have been nothing more than a story to warrant the price.
What is the current status of the pit? Can you still pay to collect there?
Darryl.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Feb 20, 2015 17:03:55 GMT -5
You're a good writer, Bob. That was a very entertaining story. I also enjoyed your recent garage sale story. Can I request a tour of your home/museum someday? Not in person, but here.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
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Post by jamesp on Feb 20, 2015 17:45:24 GMT -5
Always wanted to go to Ruck's. It does flood from time to time. Your specimens are exquisite.
Like the other goodies on the shelves too. Florida does have world class fossils. May not be your bag.
I thought Ruck's was a phosphate mine. Many of those in Polk County. Oddly, the phosphate occurs in the same areas as the petrified coral.
Around White Springs Florida, huge phosphate mine and loads of coral. Most of it at 100 feet elevation.
Looks like you need to have your truck ready for more. Waiting too see the next haul.
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Post by MrP on Feb 20, 2015 18:26:04 GMT -5
You sure have some nice Malachite......................................MrP
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rockroller
spending too much on rocks
Be excellent to each other.
Member since October 2013
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Post by rockroller on Feb 20, 2015 19:40:01 GMT -5
Well tell your new buddy to bring at least a small box of them to Colorado. We have checkbooks too!! You have some nice clams CaptB! Hmmm, that sounded a little sexist somehow...  ~Roland |
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 20, 2015 20:36:51 GMT -5
Those are totally crazy cool!!!!
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Post by fantastic5 on Feb 20, 2015 21:54:52 GMT -5
From what ive been told is the main pit is off limits but piles have been moved across the street. And they have been well worked over. I do think its hey day has come and gone. Prices will only go up for nice pieces. Might be worth the dog house captbob. |
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quartz
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breakin' rocks in the hot sun
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Post by quartz on Feb 21, 2015 0:11:07 GMT -5
That's a fine show, thanks.
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Post by captbob on Feb 21, 2015 0:29:33 GMT -5
From what I gather. Ruck's has been closed. I've heard it was flooded to create a lake for the incoming housing area growth. But, there are nearby areas where the clams can still be found. Supposedly, the entire area is slated to become residential. I don't know this from first hand knowledge, just hearsay, so not sure. I haven't been down there in years, over a decade for sure. It used to be that folks could go right in the pit and dig pieces straight from the walls of the excavation area when the machinery wasn't working. This usually meant weekends. The clams were in a shallow layer of the wall face and it was hot, dirty work. Luckily, I was used to being out in the sun all day, but it was fun watching those that weren't. Many years ago, access to the pit was ended "due to insurance reasons" and material was brought out to a lot using front end loaders. I never went down there for that. Supposedly, clams could still be found, but sifting through a pile of material dumped by the loader just didn't appeal to me. snowmom, I really like "shivering like a bird dog on point". I may have to use that elsewhere in the future if you don't mind! And yes, I'm pretty excited about the possibilities here. 150FromFundy, yes, specimens can be very pricy. Not sure they deserve some of the prices I've seen. I've seen Eddie Ruck at several local shows in my area and he seems to ask the highest prices and for pieces of lesser quality. I mean, he would be asking maybe $200 for something equivalent to the first single clam pictured above - which I just bought for less than 20. Go figure. I don't know how he sold a thing at those shows, but maybe he did. Thank you Rob. I'll see what I can do about a photo tour. I'm rather proud of my collection, but I don't want to come across wrong by posting too much. I'll mull this over. jamesp, I was also under the impression that it was a phosphate mine in the past. I'm not sure if that was closed and then the material was just used for road beds. Just something I had heard and I can't even recall where. MrP, would you like me to do a malachite specimen thread? That wouldn't take too long, and might be enjoyed by some here. fantastic5, we're talking some pretty serious dog house time here. The seller wants 7k for his entire collection, and he would like to sell it whole. From our chat and hearing what he has, I'm thinking this is probably a once in a lifetime bargain. Once I see everything on Monday, I may try to separate the clams from the fossils. Well just have to see how it goes. I don't know a darn thing about fossils. He was talking about things like mammoth teeth and stuff I just don't have any knowledge of. I'm thinking I can spend Sunday (have another rock buying foray Saturday) trying to study up on fossils, but right now, I'd be shooting in the dark. I would hate to pass on something only to read up on it later and find I missed out on a real opportunity. But I'm not sure what I'd do with a boat load of fossils. I don't want them, and selling stuff piecemeal is a PITA. My thinking is that since I let him sit for awhile without my contacting him about buying his collection (which we discussed when we met) and now knowing that his move is coming much sooner than I realized, that I'm in a pretty good position here. Guess I'll know in less than 72 hours. |
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bhiatt
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Post by bhiatt on Feb 21, 2015 2:09:17 GMT -5
Ruck's Pit videos(this is not the original pit but this is the more recent second pit dig site and much smaller, where you would go now to hunt through material) good little drawing showing formation layers and photos of the the original pit site. www.gamineral.org/ft/archive/fortdrum.htmlhere is the website with all info on trips there. www.thefortdrumcrystalmine.com/and google maps- for some reason you still have to add Okeechobbe, FL behind address for it to link. Also the original pit is actually located just east(scroll right on map a little)from the new location. The original pit is the big white area on the map. www.google.com/maps/place/28320+NE+55th+Ave,+Okeechobee,+FL+34972/@27.511227,-80.770294,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x88de823216a6d90d:0xedeb909115a3ef2c and for all the facebookers like myself(for all the non facebookers you can still click on the link and see everything without having to sign up or anything like that). www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Drum-Crystal-Mine/497100650319718 |
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Post by MrP on Feb 21, 2015 5:45:17 GMT -5
MrP, would you like me to do a malachite specimen thread? That wouldn't take too long, and might be enjoyed by some here.
Captbob I do know I would enjoy that and am sure others would................MrP
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2015 8:14:47 GMT -5
This is my opinion and my opinion alone and has nothing to do with the editorial staff. The only thing I saw in your post was the malachite on the top shelf. Couldn't get past it. Well, except for the story. Your style of writing is amusing and comical which is right up my alley. (yes, I do live in an alley)(really)
What I am getting at here is a recommendation for a malachite photo story in the near future. The piece of malachite I have could be inserted in my eye (painfully) but inserted none the less and if I did not have the jade fever I would probably have a malachite illness of some kind.
Thanks for taking the time yatta yatta yatta
Jim
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Feb 21, 2015 9:50:01 GMT -5
His Mom would whip him if he misspells one word.
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Post by captbob on Feb 21, 2015 10:32:45 GMT -5
His Mom would whip him if he misspells one word. As grammatically correct as she was, I don't quite see that happening. She'd sure mention any substandard English that I might utter though. There was a time when I thought that I might go nuts if I heard "Chickens lay, people lie." one more time. Now, I would gladly take this silly rock collection out into the Gulf of Mexico and dump in 100 feet of water just to hear her say that once more. |
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garock
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Post by garock on Feb 21, 2015 11:23:59 GMT -5
Nice specimens from Rucks ! My wife and I have been there twice years ago. We done fairly well for the clam shells. Found lots of different fossils at the site too. It is a shame it is off limits to dig in old pit.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Feb 21, 2015 11:24:12 GMT -5
His Mom would whip him if he misspells one word. As grammatically correct as she was, I don't quite see that happening. She'd sure mention any substandard English that I might utter though. There was a time when I thought that I might go nuts if I heard "Chickens lay, people lie." one more time. Now, I would gladly take this silly rock collection out into the Gulf of Mexico and dump in 100 feet of water just to hear her say that once more. I hear you captbob, Mom is the best. |
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rockroller
spending too much on rocks
Be excellent to each other.
Member since October 2013
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Post by rockroller on Feb 22, 2015 0:35:19 GMT -5
I think I see your buddy selling on the old ebay. I missed yesterdays auction of some nice little specimens. Hope to do better on the next one. As far as the malachite goes, I vote for "Bring it on!" I like the stuff so much that I told my daughter I was gonna officially change her name to Malachite. I only have a small specimen of it myself but it is one of my favorites. I found a few very small pieces on a hunting trip to an old closed up copper mine. Nothing to post a pic of but its always cool to find your own minerals!!
~Roland
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