Way to get out there and check things out, Mike!
I believe you've got the bug.
That Belmont Hall was, like many developments are, a huge disappointment.
We saw when that land was sold and waited a couple years for them
to start clearing the land. I had really high hopes for it, but found
the same sort of stuff you did. Some good signs, as far as the "almost" purple goes,
but nothing worth collecting. It just wasn't there.
Surprised me because just 1 to 2 miles east is an old known locality for amethyst
called Wilders Grove and a couple miles north is another known occurrence.
It never ceases to amaze me how isolated the hot spots are.
I also found thin stringers of amethyst with good dark color at the last development on the west side
of Buffalo just before you get to the river. But, again, nothing really worth collecting.

Good job of scouting out the area and thanks for keeping us posted.

Joe

Sounds good, Mike. Good luck with your digging.
Yes, Richland Creek is hard to access now that everything's built up and grown up around it.
I was mainly just thinking about the gravel bar in the Neuse
at the mouth of Richland Creek.
The water levels have to be way down to make it worth the trouble to check.
Have a good day,
Joe