Gold, I guess is where you find it.

Detailed directions to the sites will be given in the printed and PDF newsletters sent to members monthly.

S.A.M.S. Field Trip

There is no SAMS led field trip in February

DIXIE MINERAL COUNCIL

DMC Program of the SFMS Field Trip Committee
An Official Field Trip of The Western South Carolina Gem and Mineral Society (Greenville, SC)(HOST)
An Official Field Trip of the Southern Appalachian Mineral Society
 
9:30 AM, Saturday, February 25, 2012
Burgin Quartz Mine
Norwood, NC 
FEE AREA
 
Place:  Burgin Quartz Mine in Norwood, NC
 
Time: Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
 
Cost:  $10.00 per person and you must sign a release.

What to find:  Quartz crystals, often clear and sometimes huge up to 4 inches across and a few inches long.  The crystals are found in vugs in a very large milky quartz outcropping, though some crystals can be found by digging through the spoil piles previously dug out by a backhoe.  To get the big ones, you need to do some hard rock mining using sledge hammers, and chisels to break apart the massive quartz to expose new vugs.  I picked this site, because it has only recently been opened up, its potential has not been fully explored, and the DMC has never been there.
 
Lodging:  There are hotels a few miles north in Albemarle, NC.
 
What to bring:  Sledge hammers, chisels, rock hammers, safety glasses, gloves, dirt sifting tools, buckets, newspaper to wrap specimens, drink and food.(Subway and Bojangles are only a couple of miles away if you prefer to eat out.)
 
Directions:  For members only
 
For further information call Bill Wetzel at 864-306-6749.  Brandt Wetzel's Cell 864-404-0001

DIXIE MINERAL COUNCIL FIELD TRIPS

“Field trips are open to all members of associated clubs of the DMC program of the SFMS Field Trip Committee and to all members of SFMS member clubs who have provided their membership with SFMS liability insurance. Because of insurance requirements, members of the GENERAL PUBLIC are NOT invited on this or any DMC program field trips!”

Here are some photos taken at past field trips:

	Nantahala Talc and Limestone Quarry Nov. 10, 2007
	Nantahala Talc and Limestone Quarry Nov. 10, 2007
	Nantahala Talc and Limestone Quarry Nov. 10, 2007
	Nantahala Talc and Limestone Quarry Nov. 10, 2007
	Nantahala Talc and Limestone Quarry Nov. 10, 2007
	Nantahala Talc and Limestone Quarry Nov. 10, 2007
	Nantahala Talc and Limestone Quarry Nov. 10, 2007
	Nantahala Talc and Limestone Quarry Nov. 10, 2007
	Nantahala Talc and Limestone Quarry Nov. 10, 2007
	Nantahala Talc and Limestone Quarry Nov. 10, 2007
	Lowell at Little Pine, May 2006
	Judy collecting garnets at Little Pine, May 2006
	Martina looking for Kyanite, June 2005
	Glenden, April 2006
	Glenden, April 2006
	Glenden, April 2006
	Glenden, April 2006
	Bob O'Brien strikes it rich at the Thermal City Gold Mine.

S.A.M.S. family hunting for quartz crystals.

Sharing finds at Lake Douglas.

A prized smokey quartz crystal from Lake Douglas.

Digging for rubies & sapphires in the red dirt of Propst Farm.

Lowell Presnell, proud of the hole he has dug.

Illustration with text from LIVING FOSSILS by Anne L. Parker. Used by permission of Dr. James P. Parker.