In some good gems need help

[rockhound1968]

Western Catawba co. I'm finding lot of tourmaline mica and some smokeyquartz. Crystals need some imfo on what else might be there

 

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[Eu_citzen]

In what kind of rock are you finding it? Pics? Need some more to work with, I can only speculate with the current info.

 

[rockhound1968]

Will have some pics today I'm digging in a. Creek there's a real white dirt in thick layers and a quartz vain

 

[rockhound1968]

Also lots of iron looking stuff on Quartz rocks

 

[Eu_citzen]

Pics will help a lot,. do you also find feldspar?
Sounds either like a pegmatite vein or a higher temperature hydrothermal vein. Only speculating now.
I'd dig more and see what you find, pegmatites can have quite complicated mineralizations.

Is the smoky quartz and tourmaline found in the quartz, or in the dirt?

 

[rockhound1968]

Both in with the mica also that's how I've been finding the black tourmaline find some mica and follow it down and the tourmaline trail will be coming out of it. I have lots of quartz with tourmaline in it

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[rockhound1968]

Pics will help a lot,. do you also find feldspar?
Sounds either like a pegmatite vein or a higher temperature hydrothermal vein. Only speculating now.
I'd dig more and see what you find, pegmatites can have quite complicated mineralizations.

Is the smoky quartz and tourmaline found in the quartz, or in the dirt?

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[rockhound1968]

Both in with the mica also that's how I've been finding the black tourmaline find some mica and follow it down and the tourmaline trail will be coming out of it. I have lots of quartz with tourmaline in it

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Also yes on the feldspar and in the white layer of soft dirt there are pockets of small balls of quartz

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[rockhound1968]

Got me looking at my rocks know have not been in while was finding same things all the time only need so much tourmaline and mica some of the quartz that I have found there are clear almost looks like (can not recall what is called but it's Greek for fooling you)with the smokey Quartz (2 crystal rest just rocks)

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[rockhound1968]

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[rockhound1968]

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[Eu_citzen]

You have me tempted to think pegmatite with the info and pics you gave.
It has lots of potential for good finds, only sure way to know its there is to find it!

Depending on the size of the possible pegmatite (looks quite large) I'd be looking in between quartz (core) and the mica, if it is so distinctively zoned. Some larger pegmatite bodies can be zoned in such a way.

Beryl among other can be found in this area, in my experience.
But..On the other hand, look trough it all and take samples! Just in case.

My suggestion is to start first by looking how far you can trace/follow the deposit.
Many of them can be zoned, and different stuff can be found in different zones.

If it is clear enough it might be faceting grade, since I happen to be a faceter I'd love to see it!
If you haven't, visit the "lapidary pics" thread to see some of my work.

Your tourmaline looks like schorl - black tourmaline.

 

[rockhound1968]

Nice pics! I'm just starting and feel lucky to have what I have but that's some good minerals you have. Thanks for the help

 

[Eu_citzen]

You should feel lucky!
In my time I have only 'found' 2 or 3 pegmatite deposits, none yielded any specimens/crystals since they where filling old fractures. To little space for any crystals to grow.

Yeah, I have some neat pieces, but much of it is from outside Sweden, not so many gem-bearing rocks here.

Keep us updated, sounds like a good place to be. Also, keep your eyes open for rose quartz.

 

[Rasputin]

Try digging up under the quartz vein---that is where the beryl tends to crystallize. I was digging several years ago at the Hogg Mine in Lagrange, Ga. and not finding anything and getting frustrated until someone else told me this tip. I then began to find cupfuls of aquamarine crystals (not gem quality, mind you, but still attractive blue well-formed crystals.) I treasure them because I found them myself. Good luck!