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LocalitiesMassachusetts, USA

23rd Jul 2015 21:19 UTCJonelle DeFelice

Hello all!!

I am freshly into rocks and minerals, trying to learn as I go, and am finding it rather difficult to find info and field specimens in my state of Massachusetts. I'd like to see what other people have found! :-D

ALSO, I am a little befuddled. Peter Cristofono's book "Rockhounding New England", mentions permits being needed from the state to collect in certain areas. I did an online search and never found any info about this. Can anyone expand on this?

It also appears that we don't have "mineral claims" and/or "prospects" in the state, but there is the Red Embers Mine in Erving, and that sounds like a prospect. Is that simply people who own the land, and not a "claim" like in the Midwest?

24th Jul 2015 05:19 UTCWayne Corwin

Jonelle

The Red Embers mine is privatly owned, and closed for collecting.

Please read this> http://news.minerals.net/post/Garnet-from-Red-Embers-Mine-Erving-MA

What you need to do is join one of the Massachusetts mineral clubs.

In Massachusetts you can either own the property or lease it from the owners, but theres no "mineral claims" and/or "prospects" in this state.And Peter Cristofono is correct, permits are needed from the state to collect in certain areas of state owned land (e.g; the Chesrer Emory mines)

One old mine that is open for collecting is the Loudville lead mine in Easthampton, MA. ,,, just obay the rules posted at the collecting areas. It is owned by the New England Forestry Foundation. Read Rules

Keep On Rockin'

Wayne Corwin

25th Jul 2015 21:26 UTCJonelle DeFelice

Thanks! I wonder why it is so hard to find info online about these state permits. Oh, right, I forgot... it is Massachusetts

[img]http://www.nscale.net/forums/mysmiliesvb/mysmilie_405.gif[/img]

30th Jul 2015 20:58 UTCJonelle DeFelice

Found yesterday at Chelmsford... I try and I try and I just can't get photos I feel are good enough!!!

30th Jul 2015 22:22 UTCMonika Kertowska

A nice bit of... something ;), my friend. How big is it?

30th Jul 2015 22:36 UTCDana Slaughter 🌟 Expert

Hi Jonelle,

Looks like actinolite. Nice find!

30th Jul 2015 23:07 UTCJonelle DeFelice

Sorry, about 5cm. I always forget to add that info. One of the better examples I have found so far. Alas, all seem to have some sort of damage, which isn't unusual seeing as it came from a mine dump. It still amazes me I can find these, seeing as the location is supposedly known/open to collectors and has been for a long time! Makes me, a newbie, happy!

31st Jul 2015 00:16 UTCHarold Moritz 🌟 Expert

When one hears about mining "claims" etc., that generally refers to the US federal mining laws of 1872 in regard to prospecting/mining on federal lands (see http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/mineral_resources/Mining_Claims.html). With essentially no federal lands in southern New England, mineral or mining prospects/quarries, etc. in Mass. belong to either private entities or are on state land. Thus access is dependent on owner's rules and one must check with the current owner (not with mindat or old field guides, or the grapevine, etc because ownership or access can change at any time) for permission to collect. Check with town tax records to see who current owner is if not obvious.

17th Aug 2015 21:23 UTCJonelle DeFelice

Found this large boulder in Florida MA, by the Deerfield River. I was wondering if anyone can tell what it is made of. It was very cool to the touch and as you can see in the close up, had some black/gray to it. Does quartz come in such a massive form? Or is it simply marble? I know this isn't a "mineral" as such, but it was pretty nifty to see!

17th Aug 2015 21:35 UTCHarold Moritz 🌟 Expert

That is big boulder of pure quartz! (the gray veining is from lichens and such living in the cracks). Such masses of quartz are common in the metamorphic rocks of New England and were used by Native Americans for arrowheads and such. This particular chunk was likely dragged from an outcrop by the continental ice sheets during the ice age and dropped at its current resting place when they melted. They do make lovely landscaping boulders!

17th Aug 2015 22:00 UTCJonelle DeFelice

THANKS! Notice the Japanese Beetle in the 2nd photo... I only just noticed that! Helps to figure out the scale ;-) Imagine the headstone you could make out of that thing...

24th Sep 2015 21:41 UTCJonelle DeFelice

Took a walk in Lancaster MA the other day, staring at the ground the whole way. Managed to find this nice example of Chiastolite! I didn't know just how nice until I got it home and washed it with some soap and water. Sharing it with you all now!

[IMG]http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff460/NellsBucket/ROCKS%20and%20MINERALS/Lancaster%20MA%20Rocks/IMG_9905_zpsw0wohtib.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff460/NellsBucket/ROCKS%20and%20MINERALS/Lancaster%20MA%20Rocks/IMG_9901_zpsgeg3efbi.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff460/NellsBucket/ROCKS%20and%20MINERALS/Lancaster%20MA%20Rocks/IMG_9877_zpskpodwmno.jpg[/IMG]

24th Sep 2015 22:44 UTCHarold Moritz 🌟 Expert

Very nice! Many collectors have taken pieces from outcrops there and cut them and polished them to show off the beautiful insides of those outwardly boring crystals, and the piece you just picked up is better than any I have seen! I presume it was stream-worn? Proving you dont have to be experienced to find good things, you just have to look (but in the right place).

25th Sep 2015 21:27 UTCJonelle DeFelice

Harold - THANKS! Oddly enough, I have yet to figure out exactly where those "outcrops" are! ;-) I have found some broken rocks where folks have been searching in the past, but I don't know if maybe the summer greenery is covering up the main outcrops, or I just am not skilled enough to read the earth yet.

The one I found that you like was the result of walking along the main pathway for about 1.5 hours, staring at the ground. While not "stream worn", as such, you can see that through the years, rain/snow water and many feet have uncovered some promising locations all along the paths.

So I have yet to find a "cigar" of Chiastolite like the ones people slice. Someday...

26th Sep 2015 00:31 UTCWayne Corwin

Hi Jonelle

The Chiastolite you have IS the "cigars" ,,, there just still in the rock.

It takes a bit of chiseling, but they do come out,,, just not always whole,,, even when you know what your doing.

For now keep looking for more, don't destroy the nice one you have yet ;-)

9th Nov 2015 22:09 UTCJonelle DeFelice

You KNOW you are new at rock/mineral collecting when you live in Massachusetts and you take a walk in Lancaster to see if you can find more Chiastolite... totally forgetting that the entire place is covered in LEAVES!!! Sorta puts a damper on things, especially as I only know how to use the "stare at the ground while walking" method of finding specimens. ;-)

11th Nov 2015 22:47 UTCJonelle DeFelice

... was trying to find some info about Beryl Hill in Royalston MA online. As usual, didn't have much luck. What I did find is that the land owner must have passed away in the last few years.

Does anyone have past/present experience with the site? Is access still being granted?

JD

(Reynolds Mine (Beryl Hill Mine), Royalston, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, USA)

13th Nov 2015 22:06 UTCDavid Susman

I'm just restarting exploring rocks and minerals. I did see the Keene Mineral Club has a trip planned to Beryl Hill so they must be able to get access. See you around the rock pile.

13th Nov 2015 22:19 UTCJonelle DeFelice

AHA! Thank you, David!

13th Nov 2015 23:44 UTCsteven garza

Dear Jonelle;

Coming this June, there's an EXCELLENT outdoor show, at Gilsum, NH; my advice, on top the the excellent advice given so far, is to go to that show. Spending $ is nice, but, you'll get contact with a LOT of "old-time" collectors & prospectors, like Jim Tovey, Paul Young, Wayne Corwin, Eric Green, & MANY others; most would gladly share info with you, on nearly any topic, from collecting at certain locations, prospecting for new locations, property owner info, unusual sites, etc.. The show is FREE, the atmosphere is VERY enjoyable, & the BS flies fast & furious; MORE importantly, you'll get a chance to hear ME SING (manette, am I taking liberties, calling that "singing") ridiculous songs, tell REALLY corny jokes (since I'm likely to be old enough to be your father, would those be "pop-corny" jokes?), & hardly believable stories, about people/things/minerals.

It's been recommended that you join a club; I say "HOG WASH' - join SEVERAL clubs, scattered about the state! Even consider, if they don't have an attendance requirement, joining out-of-state clubs; as shown, in David's post, they tend to cross state lines, for their trips! &, for $10 - 20/yr., this is ALWAYS a bargain! You'll never spend another weekend, wondering where to go, again. When I lived in MA, I belonged to several clubs (some as honorary member) & had trips, whenever I wanted & could afford. Do yourself another favor: don't plan on ONLY spending 1 day there; get a massive amount of experience, in the 2 days the show runs - you'll never regret that decision!

Your friend, Steve

14th Nov 2015 17:32 UTCsteven garza

Dear Jonelle;

After looking your piece over, I realized it came from the Blood State Forest Preserve (near the monastery), &, the stream you found it in is dead in the middle of that quarry! I know it didn't LOOK like a quarry, but, that's what it is! More importantly, there are OTHER quarries, just like that (again, not LOOKING like a quarry; these are VERY old quarries, that date back to colonial times). The number of crystals (xls) your piece is displaying, &, the color range (yellowy white to orange & even light pink) also point to that locale. If you ride along the roads, threading through that area, you'll see stone fences, EVERYWHERE, &, close examination of those fences will reveal HUGE matrix pieces, with TONS of crystals, riddled all through them; the ones where you see tiny specks of a mica-like material (really chlorite) growing in the cross-fractured xls, are from another quarry. Those woods are RIDDLED with such unnamed quarries - some, the owners WILL allow you to collect in, but, you need to belong to the Worcester Mineral Club or maybe another has such access.

If you are truly serious about following such info, PM me. PM Wayne or Andy Brodeur, as well; they are good folk.

Your friend, Steve

4th Dec 2015 20:24 UTCJonelle DeFelice

THANK YOU Steve for all the info. Will drop you a PM with a few explanations regarding my fear of clubs... As for Lancaster, the town forest area is set up like it was once a whole "town", the way there are "roads" branching off all the time, etc. I haven't gone too far down those branches, though. I go out there alone and sometimes I think it would be safer for me to stick near the main paths...

20th May 2016 20:38 UTCJonelle DeFelice

HELLO ALL!

Tomorrow we will be attending Chester On Track, an annual event in town by the railroad station in Chester Mass (I am a railfan). Last time we were in that area, we tried to find one of the old mines.

The whole area and the various named locations befuddles me. I can't find a map or guide to help us find a good spot to look around for anything interesting laying on the ground.

Can anyone with experience in the area help me out? I'd appreciate it!

12th Jun 2016 19:09 UTCJonelle DeFelice

HELLO ALL

Yesterday I accidently met a man in a store checkout line who was a rockhound. He said that Beryl Hill (Reynolds Mine, Royalston, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, USA) is a free-for-all for collectors right now, as the property owner passed away and the land is for sale. Or at least that is what I got out of the brief conversation we had.

Has anyone in MA been there recently? Can anyone confirm people are indeed being allowed onto the property to collect? I'd prefer to do so legally...

JD

12th Jun 2016 23:53 UTCWayne Corwin

Jonelle

"A free-for-all for collectors right now, as the property owner passed away and the land is for sale" isn't legal,,, it's unethical scumbags doing what they do best,,, Smash & Grab for them selfs :-(

That sure doesn't help things for us collectors with morals that would like to deal fairly with the new owners.

I hope your wrong, but bet your not.

19th Jun 2016 23:08 UTCJonelle DeFelice

Wayne: I hear ya, and thought that myself when the man said it. I did some quick online searches and I don't see the house by the hill or the land listed for sale. That, of course, doesn't mean it isn't, as the Internet has a wonderful ability to lie. Either way, I think I'd rather stay away OR try to find out from locals what the location's status is.

12th Aug 2016 00:03 UTCJonelle DeFelice

Last week I found myself at a location where I had accidently found garnets at in the past (when my boyfriend drives, I never know where we will end up!), and this time I found some more. They probably aren't anything special (I don't have that kind of luck), but will share them with you all anyway. As usual, everything I did to get decent photos didn't work...

12th Aug 2016 02:03 UTCDon Swenson

Your specimen from Chelmsford is most definitely actinolite, one with good color. Now see if you can find some titanite (various shades of brown) and fluorapatite (blue).

12th Aug 2016 16:06 UTCJonelle DeFelice

DON - I have 2 small boxes of stuff from Chelmsford, all of which I want to share, but I just can't get photos I am happy with. Someday I wlll lower my standards and just POST the stupid things!!!

15th Jan 2018 18:22 UTCJonelle DeFelice

HI all

Picked this little item up rather cheap on Ebay. While most of the specimen locations are not listed, I liked the idea of an old Massachusetts selection. I am sharing in case someone can suggest how old this box is. The Berkshire Museum appears to have started in 1903. And if anyone has any idea of specimen locations, chime in! :-)

15th Jan 2018 19:42 UTCWayne Corwin

Nice ol' collection there Jonelle ! ! !

15th Jan 2018 20:23 UTCJonelle DeFelice

I am curious about the blue slag. I've never seen any in person! Seems strange in modern times to know somewhere in MA iron was produced!

One person on a Facebook group suggests a 1930-40 date range for the box.

15th Jan 2018 21:31 UTCWayne Corwin

Jonelle

Look up the Richmond Iron Furnaces in Great Barrington, MA

It was one of the biggest in Berkshire County, tho there were many.

That color blue slag isn't too common, the color may help to pin down the location.

15th Jan 2018 23:25 UTCMark Heintzelman 🌟 Expert

The Lee marble is a sample of the dolomite marble from the Lee Lime Mine, Lee, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Here is an old sample I have with tremolite, from the old Michigan College of Mines (label circa 1897-1927). 3.5” x 2.8 ”x 2.0”.

There is an interesting History connected with the Ossining, NY Quarry material being substituted with Lee Quarry material, one of the "deals" struck by the Tammany Hall group and "boss Tweed", using the construction of the building of Tweed Courthouse as a pretext to embezzle millions of dollars from the city government and the public. Restoration experts are still trying to deal with the troublesome differing weathering issues of the two dislike materials.

Thesis of a study undertaken to analyze the issues, from The University of Pennsylvania: https://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1395&context=hp_theses

17th Jan 2018 23:01 UTCJonelle DeFelice

WAYNE - I don't see anything on the site, will look elsewhere

MARK - never expected to read "Tammany Hall" on a mineral forum! ;-) I downloaded the PDF and will try to make sense of it when I have the time. I like the photo, and before I even read the post, noted how the tremolite could easily effect the solidity of the marble!

17th Jan 2018 23:43 UTCWayne Corwin

Google it Jonelle, it's not in Mindat.

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