Fee Collecting Site
GRAVES MOUNTAIN, LINCOLNTON, GA
May 19, 2010
by Ray Hill
Rutile, Lazulite, Pyrophyllite, Pyrite, Quartz Crystals,
Kyanite, Iridescent Hematite, Ilmenite, Muscovite, Fuchsite,
Barite, Sulfur, and others
Without question, this has been one of the premiere collecting sites in the Southeast United States during the past 100 years; and today, is still a most productive collecting location.
Graves Mountain became a famous mineral location in the 1800s and collectors dug prospects around the area. Eventually it became a kyanite mine. A large main pit was dug in the heart of the mountain. Two smaller pits were dug above and below that. Ultimately the mine was shut down as other materials replaced kyanite in industrial usage and mining became less profitable.
The geological history of Graves Mountain is as complex as the rest of the eastern seaboard. To make a complicated hundreds of millions of years story simple and short, a super continent broke up, the pieces drifted apart creating an ocean and volcanic island chains. The pieces came back together, sweeping up the island chains along the way and forming another super continent. This super continent broke up as well and the pieces drifted away to form our present day continents and the Atlantic Ocean.
Geologists still debate the exact details but certain aspects are clear. Sometimes during the continental collisions the Graves area was subducted and subjected to heat and pressure under the earth new minerals were formed, existing minerals were altered. There were many episodes of metamorphism when the rocks were heated and sometimes fractured and secondary minerals formed and filled the fissures. As the heat and pressure varied, different minerals were formed and underwent metamorphism. Eventually the area was raised back near the surface and eroded to its current exposure.
Many field trip reports are now on the Internet from many groups that have collected at this most productive site. You can go on-line and type in “Graves Mountain, GA” and page after page of information will come up. This is a great rock collecting site and should be included in your list of locations to visit. The site is open to Rock Clubs and to small groups of at least two or more.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Clarence Norman, Jr. (Junior)
706-359-3862 or 706-359-2381
Ray Hill
Great South Gems & Minerals, Inc.
www.greatsouth.net
888-933-GEMS
Note: Only rock clubs have permission to print this article but must give credit to the author, Ray Hill, and Great South Gems & Minerals, Inc. For everyone else, please email us for permission.
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38 Bond Drive
Ellenwood, Georgia 30294 USA
1-888-933-GEMS (4367)
FAX: 770-389-8095 |
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