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Once a crystallizing vein has been discovered you should switch to smaller tools that will give you more control
else risk shattering a potentially beautiful specimen. Preferably a plastic or wooden digging tool.
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I dig down on both sides of the dike to expose it before pulling anything out.
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Now it's ready for extraction.
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Here is a smoky crystal point that was pulled from the pocket clay.
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Yellow and red clay were mixed together in and around the crystal faces.
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Mica has always been an indicator for crytallizing veins here in Wake County. It can be seen throughout the clay in this vein.
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Here is a crystal embedded in the pocket clay.
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This chunk is part of the dike itself (width roughly 3in.). The two large faces in the photo occured where a seam of clay ran through the dike.
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This crystal face was revealed underneath the bright yellow and red clay.
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This is the piece of clay that came directly off the crystal face in the crystal above.