waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 369
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Post by waterboysh on Oct 6, 2021 10:58:32 GMT -5
I live in Florida and a complete noob when it comes to finding rocks "in the wild". All the rocks I've tumbled I've ordered online. I don't think FL really has rocks suitable for tumbling, but we've got plenty of fossils! Anyway, next month we're going camping at Indian Springs Campground in Georgia. It's south, and just a tad east of Atlanta. I was wondering if y'all could help me figure out 1. What type of rocks I might can find in this area 2. Does anyone know of a specific spot around here within maybe a 30 - 45 minute drive that would be a good hiking place (we have a 4 year old and 2 year old) that might have a good chance for rocks? I know rivers in general are good, but I'm used to FL rivers which are generally either very sandy and clear or muddy and murky, and if there is rock it's just limestone. Honestly, finding a good, rocky stream to hike through and then turning around and hiking back sounds like fun and the kids would enjoy that. 3. I need tips on how to find good rocks in general. I guess a lot of it depends on knowing the area and what rocks you might find, which I'm trying to figure out. But I see youtube videos of "how to find rocks" and it's basically people walking around saying, "here's one. Oh, and here's another." without a lot of context on what they're looking for. When I watch these videos, to my and my untrained, inexperienced eye, most of the rocks don't look that different than every other rock.
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Post by parfive on Oct 6, 2021 11:31:13 GMT -5
jamesp Yo, James . . . little help here. : )
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Oct 6, 2021 13:15:58 GMT -5
waterboyshI live in Atlanta and rock hunted here on/off for 50 years. Never have found any thing to write home about. There were private lands where quartz type rocks could be found but most of those places are out of reach now. West of Indian Springs is Lagrange. Guessing 60 miles. East of Lagrange is The Hog Mine containing easy to find rose quartz. Great spot for kids. You would have to look on the internet to find out permission status at the Hog mine. I always drive to Florida to collect rocks. Petrified(silicified coral) is my goal. But it usually must be collected from a boat or kayak in the Suwannee/Withlacochee Rivers or in Pasco county usually at construction sites. Around Tampa. The islands off of New Port Richey has produced, again in a boat. Hope this helps.
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waterboysh
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2021
Posts: 369
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Post by waterboysh on Oct 6, 2021 14:29:10 GMT -5
Yeah, Hogg Mine is a place I've already looked into. About once a year we go camping at Callaway Gardens. Usually in the spring. It's pretty close to there so I think we'll check it out then. Guess we'll just collect random river rocks. My kids won't care either way!
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Post by RickB on Oct 7, 2021 13:50:37 GMT -5
waterboysh I've been to the Hogg Mine before. You can find Beryl, Rose Quartz, Gem Aqua Marine - also black Tourmaline (Schorl) that is nice size and terminated.
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Post by broseph82 on Oct 16, 2021 1:04:57 GMT -5
Yeah, Hogg Mine is a place I've already looked into. About once a year we go camping at Callaway Gardens. Usually in the spring. It's pretty close to there so I think we'll check it out then. Guess we'll just collect random river rocks. My kids won't care either way! Jackson Crossroads has amethyst. They also have a Facebook page and you can see when digs are scheduled.
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