GeneralTexas Collecting Finds
In spite of the brutal heat, I think we were pretty for successful Texas collecting. We found some decent microcline crystals (some quite large) and a few REE's that I have yet to get analyzed in some exposed pegmatites. Even a combination piece with an REE on a pair of microcline crystals!
We also collected some smoky quartz and hematite-included quartz in the roads and creekbed crossings in the Fly Gap area, as well as a small find of hematite-included barite crystals on what I think is specular hematite matrix in road cut near the Spiller Mine.
I thought I'd post a few photos of our finds just to let people know there's stuff to be found if you look hard enough. I plan on going back again soon!Here are some photos of our haul of microcline and the couple of REE's that we found. Some of the microclines in the first photo are up to six inches in length.
Larger photos of some of the nicer microclines including a large Manebach twin. Single crystal in the second photo is 8.5 x 7 cm and the cluster in the third photo is 7.5 x 7 cm.
As-yet unidentified REE mineral on microcline. The REE's register fairly well on a geiger counter. Overall dimensions are 18 x 8 cm.
Complete small unidentified REE crystal found weathering out of an exposed pegmatite. 2.2 x 1.3 cm.
Larger crystal found with the specimen in the photo above. 4.2 x 2.8 cm.
Hematite-included quartz crystal from a Mason Co. streambed. 4 cm in length.
Etched epidote, garnet, and hematite from a road cut in Mason Co. I also found what I believe are small diopside crystals at this locality. Specimen is 4.5 cm wide.
Barite with hematite phantoms on specular hematite matrix from another Mason Co. road cut. 6 x 3 cm.
Nice finds! I hope to visit the area some day, my distance is just a little larger at about 1200 crow-miles. But I'd be happy finding similar. How's the weather mid-summer on the Llano uplift? Thanks, Jim. It was about 100 degrees, and a cooler full of ice was the only way to keep collecting past 10:00 am. Worth it though! 
I'd like to visti the area too. I'd like to move to texas but we'll see how that goes 
Nice find Jonathon, the REE minerals found loose look like euxenite, which is quite usual for pegmatites!
Spencer. Hi Jonathan,
What sites did you visit in Llano County?
Frank Frank,
The Llano County specimens I posted all came from small pegmatites exposed by the low water in Lake Buchanan. I'll send you a PM with some more specifics. Thanks for the PM, Jonathan. BTW, the REE in your photos is almost certainly gadolinite. If it is, a rare-earth magnet will be slightly attracted to it. Also, thin splinters will appear deep bottle-green in transmitted light. I've collected a lot of gadolinite from the quarry directly across the highway from the south end of the lake (Petrick Pegmatite). Unfortunately, the quarry is currently being sold and no word has been received as to whether collecting will be allowed there in the future.
Frank Also, photo Buchanan_MicroREE_01a.jpg is most likely fergusonite. If it is, fracture surfaces will have a metallic mirror luster. Fergusonite is strongly radioactive.
Frank 
Good finds from the Llano, Jonathan!! (tu)
Now that I'm back from the "Great White North", maybe I'll have to turn my attention to the pegmatites out there..... Frank, thanks for the ID suggestions - the one on microcline does have higher radiation levels. I checked a few flakes off the more rounded crystals, but wasn't able to see any green color. Not sure I got thin enough pieces, though.
Paul - thanks! Hope y'all had fun up north and managed to get some collecting in. I'll bring some in on Wednesday for you you to have a look.
