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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Moore County, NC (Read 10136 times)
Scott LaBorde
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Moore County, NC
May 23rd, 2017 at 11:28pm
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A rockhound friend invited me to a very interesting quartz crystal prospect this past weekend. Eric my rockhound friend has exclusive access to his friends property which hosts these crystals. The quartz outcrops as veins and scattered quartz all over the surface at the pinnacle of the property. These quartz crystals seem to be often included with brown to dark green chlorite. Some crystals are completely clear.
  

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Scott LaBorde
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Re: Moore County, NC
Reply #1 - May 23rd, 2017 at 11:30pm
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Eric, investigating the quartz he smashed to check for crystalline vugs.
  

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Scott LaBorde
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Re: Moore County, NC
Reply #2 - May 23rd, 2017 at 11:33pm
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As I dug and encountered crystals, they did not appear to come out in what I considered distinct pockets. There was weathering and much clay and dirt between each of the quartz rocks or small boulders I found -- and this indicated that the quartz veins were disseminated as a result of weathering. I believe that going deeper should reveal tighter veins of quartz with more pristine crystals.  Wink

Below is a few of my finds.
  

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Tim4d
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Re: Moore County, NC
Reply #3 - May 24th, 2017 at 4:19pm
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Nice.  Keep digging!
  
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JoeM
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Re: Moore County, NC
Reply #4 - May 24th, 2017 at 6:18pm
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Very nice interesting looking spot. Keep digging! Smiley
  
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Eric Flintstone
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Re: Moore County, NC
Reply #5 - Jun 7th, 2017 at 9:13am
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I think it is time to show the transformation  of the dig site now and what has been found.  Also as you and Joe are teaching me the ends and outs of hounding and me doing a lot of reading.  I am still trying to wrap my head around what "host" rock assisted in making the quartz veins we are seeing.  Since now the quartz is surrounded by mud alone.  I have read and kind of understand about the cycles of stone.  I won't go any further here because it is kind of off topic for this thread .
  
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JoeM
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Re: Moore County, NC
Reply #6 - Jun 7th, 2017 at 9:46pm
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IS hard to figure out, Eric!
You are on the right track. The "illite" is a good example.
Here all this time I thought you were supposed to learn to "read the dirt" to find the rocks, now you're telling me I need to "read about the dirt" too! It never ends. Smiley
Here's some interesting reading for you if you haven't found this all ready;
https://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/1072d/report.pdf

It's a little old but a good report with lots of good info. The first page is good and then on the third or fourth page is the section
"Genesis of Quartz Crystals". The Bedrock and Quartz Veins and Weathering of Bedrock sections will help alot in trying to answer some of your questions.
While you are reading those sections, for comparison to the "Roost", those hard different colored layers we were calling "mudstone" is the host rock you are looking for now in the form of "Saprolite" mentioned in the report.

I'm really glad to see you trying to figure out all that geology. When you do you can let me in on it. Wink
Eric, I won't be out this weekend, but am planning on being there the next. I want to continue my corner some but feel free to dig there in the meantime. There are a lot of good crystals in the top 2-3 feet right there.
Have Fun!
  
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Eric Flintstone
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Re: Moore County, NC
Reply #7 - Jun 7th, 2017 at 11:11pm
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Thanks Joe,  I always look forward to seeing you guys.  I can't wait to get into reading the link you posted.  Your dig corner is your corner. Lol.  Me and Regina had some luck today where she likes to dig.  If you can remember.  There is a Quartz vein on the right side just before the mud hole .  Regina had been digging around there for several days.  Anyway,  I gave her a hand this afternoon .  I pulled out the ole handy crowbar and pulled out a pretty large piece of Quartz.  Right behind the void of the Quartz I found a pocket!  Pulled out around 5 or 6 good size crystals around 3 1/2 inches long. As most of the good sized crystals.  They are lightly coated with chlorite .  It was getting dark when I found the pocket so I am not sure if I got them all.  I will go back tomorrow to make sure.   I will be sure to post pictures tomorrow .  For the first time since I have been digging and learning from you guys.  It all seemed to click with what y'all have taught me.  I have no doubt that this spot will continue to entertain all of us for quit some time!  Of course, Regina is not going to be completely satisfied till she finds some purple.  I think I may just take a crystal and paint and plant it so she can find it lol.
  
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Re: Moore County, NC
Reply #8 - Jun 8th, 2017 at 10:22am
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I knew that spot Regina was digging was a hot spot!! Did you plow up the other spot?? Interested in seeing what's found over there. Can't wait to see more stuff come out. Thanks again Eric!
  
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Eric Flintstone
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Re: Moore County, NC
Reply #9 - Jun 8th, 2017 at 7:41pm
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Pics.
  

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Eric Flintstone
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Re: Moore County, NC
Reply #10 - Jun 8th, 2017 at 9:15pm
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Hey Josh, no haven't broke ground yet.  Kind of waiting to see when you guys will be back.  I would like to do it close to that time so all you guys can go thru fresh ground and be equitable to all of you.  Just send me an instant message with your plans.

I am also going to talk to bob tomorrow and see if maybe he can bring his front end loader / backhoe to move those dirt piles out a bit to the tree line.  There will not be a fee cause he is just a neighbor and friend.  His machine is just a small farm tractor.  I hope it will be able to do the Job.  I will also see if he can trench out a bit.  Toward where Scott parks his vehicle.  It will all depend if the tractor is strong enough to do it
  
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JoeM
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Re: Moore County, NC
Reply #11 - Jun 8th, 2017 at 9:52pm
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Looks like you found a little pocket there, Eric! Cool
  
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Re: Moore County, NC
Reply #12 - Jun 9th, 2017 at 8:38am
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Sounds great!!! Those crystals are sweet as well! Remember to look for that big chunky quartz vein. That's were the best ones are going to hang out and possibly some clusters! Depending on the rising temperatures and summer activities  Cool it may be a bit before we can all plan on being there. That's ideal also to let some rain drench those tailings so mother nature can reveal what's under that dirt. Some of my best specimens have come from tailings Cheesy keep working that area Regina it looks very promising.
  
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Re: Moore County, NC
Reply #13 - Jun 9th, 2017 at 1:38pm
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Great to see new sites explored!
  
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Eric Flintstone
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Re: Moore County, NC
Reply #14 - Jul 2nd, 2017 at 12:34pm
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Here is a little somethin new found near the dig site.
  

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