Why would the bridge be up when rock hunting is beyond it?

This past week, as is our norm, we made our annual trek to the Keweenaw Peninsula for a week of rock hunting. Every year it seems that the mine spoil piles continue to become extinct because they are being crushed and used as road fill. Where giant piles of rock used to be are now fairly open, flat empty spaces. I expect within the next few years that rock and mineral hunting activity here may be a thing of the past. Many of what used to be county-owned, or easily accessed hunting grounds are now privately owned, or gone. Due to liability issues private owners do not welcome groups of rockhounds. Only a few years back we used to come up for rock hunting events sponsored by the AE Seaman Mineral Museum, including hunting various spoil piles, lectures and demonstrations by the experts at Michigan Tech. This was formerly known as Red Metal Week, then the Keweenaw Mineral Retreat and lasted an entire week. The local rock and mineral club has put in many volunteer hours over many years to make these events happen. Now the event is co sponsored by the AE Seaman Mineral Museum, and Keweenaw Gem & Gift. This is a shortened week, with the hunts starting on Wednesday and end on Saturday.

My best find was a large seam Datolite that appears covered with Chlorastrolite.

Rock hunting during these events consist of fee digs each day at different sites. These different mine sites still have copper, easily found with metal detectors. I am normally not interested in Copper but will pick up a piece when I see one, often giving them away to interested kids. What peeks my interest are the many stones I can make jewelry from. Some of these are Isle Royale Greenstone, Datolite, Prehnite, and agates.

Finding a Greenstone in spoil piles is like looking for a needle in a haystack. You start with a large like of rock. On the hunt at the Central Exploration these piles were crushed ore ready to be hauled out for road fill. Where high piles of large rock chunks used to be are now flat barren areas. The only piles left were the final crushed tailings piles. How depressing this is to see.

Bonnie did find many Greenstones by meticulously digging and searching. She out-hunted me. I did find a few Greenstones, but my best find was a large Datolite seam. The Datolite was covered with Chlorastrolite. Jewelry is in the planning stages.

There are hunters up here that look for relics from the copper era. I located a Maul. I used it on the Connecticut pile to pound in the ground to “Stake my Claim”. I then dug a large worthless hole looking for Datolite. I did have fun digging though. It’s bizarre how we rockhounds will work like dogs to fine a pebble. In normal society you would get real money for doing the same thing (or are in a penal institution), while WE actually pay for the privilege of being allowed to dig a hole; go figure.

Another fun thing during this mineral hunting time is the annual swap meet at the Quincy Mine Hoist. For three hours vendors will set up in the dusty parking lot and peddle their wares. I left much money in the parking lot with various local vendors. I have some really nice Greenstones, colorful Datolite, and particularly amazing Lake Superior Agates. None of these come cheap, but I was happy with my deals.

The swap meet is also THE spot for meeting old friends and fellow rockhounds. Rockhounds appear from around the country. I think they realize the clock is ticking on these hunts, and the minerals of the Keweenaw are becoming more scarce each year.

My intentions are to make great jewelry from my recent finds and acquisitions. I will keep you in the loop on this blog. If you really wish to see more, and hear more of what we do, friend our Facebook Snob Appeal Jewelry site.