Hey folks, got a few minutes here so I thought that I'd introduce myself.

When I was about 5 years old a gem and rock shop opened near my house in New Orleans - Johnny's Rock Shop was the name. I was fascinated by the minerals and fossils. In south Louisiana, there aren't any rocks, just mud. I had never seen anything like it and I fell in love. I started collecting minerals at that time.

Fast forward a couple of years and my Uncle Bill, who lived in Dallas TX at the time, took me to hunt for fossils in Texas. We found all kinds of stuff and I loved every second of it. We later made several other trips to hunt for fossils and gems. My rockhounding adventures ended after that. My teens and 20's were just work.

For a career I ended up pursuing my other passion which is music. Something that I still do today but now that I've been in NC for quite some time the bug has come back. I've been pursuing a degree in geology at UNCC and am about halfway through that. I've been digging around the area and doing a little gold prospecting. I'm passionate about gemstones though and not really as interested in placer gold mining.

I'm still a novice but I've been getting out quite a bit. I've been all over the Uwharrie and visited about 7 different known locations there. I've done some digging but haven't found anything to be super proud of. Mostly I've been exploring the geology by examining USGS strike data and then going into the field to examine those convergences. Also spend time locating dig sites that are referenced here and other places.

About to head out now and explore a place in Mecklenburg where I found a chunk of quartz crystal matrix laying on the ground a couple of years ago. Driving back and forth to Uwharrie almost every day is getting old quick. I need to move closer. 

If anyone is looking for a partner I'm game. Willing to travel. Have tools. With my work I have a lot of free time and I mostly work at home. My schedule is generally very flexible.

Glad I found this site. Heading over to the meeting at the rockhound club in Gastonia this evening. Maybe I'll see some of ya'll there?

So that's how you spell "Sherfire"!
Thanks for the introduction and congratulations on the pursuit of your interest and passion.
Sounds to me like you are doing everything right and we will probably be trying to pick your brain before long! The folks at the Gastonia Club should be able to share a lot of great info about that area.
If you're ever planning on being in the Capital City, give us a heads-up and we'll see if we can't meet up.
In the meantime, I hope you post some pics of some of your finds.

Welcome to the Board and Best of Luck,
Joe

Welcome Sherfire!  We share music as our other passion!  I've played guitar and keyboard for most of my life, and then picked up the drums 20 years ago.  Good to have another musician on RHL. 

Yes, living close to where you hunt is very beneficial for a rockhound. Good luck hunting.  Hope to see your finds soon on RHL! 

Scott

If you haven't already, check out U.S. Geological Survey publications search at https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/
Search for "Mica deposits of the southeastern Piedmont" and you will see separate links for Parts 1 through 11.  Many leads for rockhounds.