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Field CollectingRockhounding in Central Alabama (Talladega County)

4th Dec 2016 21:10 UTCRichard McConatha

Greetings all - After a lapse of nearly 50 years, I am getting back into rock and mineral collecting as a hobby. I collected as a teenager, and as I now approach retirement age I am anxious to get started again. I am wondering if there are any forum members here who might have suggestions as to good collecting locations around Central Alabama. Especially the Shelby County and Talladega County areas. I am particularly interested in quartz crystals, onyx and agates.

I got really excited recently when one of my in-laws brought home a 150 pound log of petrified wood he found near the little town of Sycamore, Alabama. He has promised to show me where he found it, but so far he hasn't had time to take me to the location. Hoping to go soon, especially now that the weather has turned cooler and most of the huge rattlesnakes in the area have gone dormant for a while.

Thanks all!

Richard

4th Dec 2016 23:34 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

Welcome to Mindat, Richard!

I would first suggest checking out the Alabama pages of Mindat to see where mines are located and what minerals can be found there.

Second, I would look for local rock and mineral clubs and visit their next meeting to ask around. You can find clubs in Alabama by searching here.

Good luck in your future rockhounding....

5th Dec 2016 22:02 UTCRichard McConatha

Greetings, Paul. Thanks for the suggestion. I have contacted a couple of different collecting/lapidary clubs. You're right, that's probably the best place to start.