icatz
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 453 
|
Post by icatz on Oct 10, 2015 7:40:34 GMT -5
It was quite an experience. I was with 5 geologist friends and we went to the old 79 mine, north of Superior, AZ. Descended down a ladder I was certain was from the 1800s and would give way any second. Scared out of my mind. I know you're never supposed to go down abandoned mines. When you live here, it's beaten into your head. But these guys were seasoned pros who had been down many times. We ended up in a large dug-out room and took turns with our hammers. Didn't take much. It was quite dark except for our lights, and when we turned down the lights it was like seeing stars everywhere, there were so many crystals in the walls and ceiling. I calmed down after awhile and it was a great time, but I'll never do it again. This is some of what I collected.  Aurichalcite  Hemimorphite  Not sure...  Also not sure...  Hemimorphite  Hemimorphite |
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Oct 10, 2015 9:06:38 GMT -5
serious specimens! your hard to keep up with! I see all those mine threads A Superior mine ? Historic! I can only imagine how second thoughts must have entered your head climbing down a rickety ladder I was bashful about mentioning the Lost Dutchman now you can tell me a thing or two  Ed |
|
|
|
Post by roy on Oct 10, 2015 10:27:24 GMT -5
cool stuff
|
|
rockroller
spending too much on rocks
Be excellent to each other.
Member since October 2013
Posts: 359 
|
Post by rockroller on Oct 10, 2015 15:05:37 GMT -5
I think I might climb down that ladder if those were waiting at the bottom! They are quite beautiful. I'm curious icatz, is that what they looked like right from the ground or did you do any serious cleaning on these specimens? ~Roland |
|
timloco
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2012
Posts: 545
|
Post by timloco on Oct 10, 2015 17:03:06 GMT -5
Those are amazing specimens. What an experience to go down into a mine like that,sounds really cool.
|
|
Mark K
Cave Dweller 
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,819
|
Post by Mark K on Oct 10, 2015 17:32:45 GMT -5
How did you manage to get in the mine? My understanding is that it was washed in and gated off and not accessible to collectors.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jugglerguy on Oct 10, 2015 21:45:24 GMT -5
Wow, those are amazing! That's quite a variety from one location.
|
|
rastageezer
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 169
|
Post by rastageezer on Oct 10, 2015 22:30:14 GMT -5
Could #4 be anhydrite (angelite)?
|
|
icatz
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 453
|
Post by icatz on Oct 11, 2015 9:26:52 GMT -5
serious specimens! your hard to keep up with! I see all those mine threads A Superior mine ? Historic! I can only imagine how second thoughts must have entered your head climbing down a rickety ladder I was bashful about mentioning the Lost Dutchman now you can tell me a thing or two Ed I love mines, but mainly just root through the tailings. There are a lot of famous mines up there, including the sleeping beauty turquoise stuff a little closer to Globe (just up the road). They're all copper mines which closed down when the prices dropped. Between Superior and Globe are also silver mines. The landscape is pretty wrecked (think Pinto Creek). |
|
icatz
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 453
|
Post by icatz on Oct 11, 2015 9:28:30 GMT -5
I think I might climb down that ladder if those were waiting at the bottom! They are quite beautiful. I'm curious icatz, is that what they looked like right from the ground or did you do any serious cleaning on these specimens? ~Roland They're exactly as my little hands picked them up. I wouldn't do a thing to them, except wash off a little dust. Remember, they were 150 feet underground, so nothing really got to them. No sun, heat, rain. The Aurichalcite needles are quite fragile. I got maybe 5 pounds of material. They're wrapped up in a crate outside. |
|
icatz
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 453
|
Post by icatz on Oct 11, 2015 9:30:55 GMT -5
How did you manage to get in the mine? My understanding is that it was washed in and gated off and not accessible to collectors. I went in the mid 90s. Serious 4WD driving on very narrow, scary rocky roads. Like, a couple mph. There was a little chain across the main entry way. Wouldn't stop anyone. I would assume by now that it's pretty secured. Haven't been there since. |
|
Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,819
|
Post by Mark K on Oct 11, 2015 14:45:09 GMT -5
That makes sense.
|
|
StoneGolem
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since March 2012
Posts: 78
|
Post by StoneGolem on Nov 18, 2015 0:32:15 GMT -5
How did you manage to get in the mine? My understanding is that it was washed in and gated off and not accessible to collectors. The 79mine is still an operational specimen mine owned by a couple older guys. The road to the mine is washed out, but they don't mind as it discourages some of the thieves. Thieves being the reason for the gate, and the various locked steel doors on the mine itself. Nobody is allowed to collect there for safety purposes mostly, they are very serious about safety and msha rules. |
|
|
|
Post by vegasjames on Nov 18, 2015 1:47:51 GMT -5
Great finds.
|
|
Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723
|
Post by Fossilman on Nov 18, 2015 10:41:17 GMT -5
Totally awesome finds!! If "Pro's" are with me,I would go too........
|
|
