Field Trip Report:
Crabtree Emerald Mine We had a fun time at the Crabtree Mine for our season finale dig. Members came from Canada, Wilmington, NC, South Carolina and Georgia. Not a huge turnout but I got to see some members I had not seen in a while and meet new ones as well. I forgot my camera, so the only pics you are going to get are specimens I collected while at the mine. Ron and Nancy were there and should be sending me pics of a couple of nice beryl's and emeralds they found. I started off showing our new members from Canada what to look for. I found a couple of small emerald crystals for them, as it turns out, I heard they found one of the best emeralds ever from the mine after I left that afternoon, I will try to get a pic and post it to the report.
View from the Crabtree Mine
Crabtree Emerald matrix specimen, 10 x 7 cm I spent my time surface collecting and dug with Ron and Nancy for a while. I found this piece about 3 inches under ground, it is covered on both sides with emeralds and has more showing under the biotite. It should make a couple of nice big cabochons.
Crabtree Mine twin beryl, 3 x 3 cm In the same spot I found this nice twin beryl crystal.
Crabtree Mine yellow beryl, 2 x 1 cm
Crabtree Emerald matrix specimen, 6 x 3 cm I really like the above matrix specimen , it has three very gemmy emeralds. The one in the pic is split at the top. The emeralds are small but still cool.
This last crystal is the best, a 1 inch x 1 inch crystal found while surface collecting!!! Just kidding, it measures .5 x .5 cm. I found it and several other small crystals I gave away while surface collecting. There are crystals all over the mine, you just have to look and know what you are looking for. I will post pics of Ron and Nancy's finds and the Canada members finds when I get them. Crabtree Mine Rocks! |
