Come dig on this claim with us in Septmber each year. We visit the Denver Rock & Gem Show, then head out to our claim. 20 acres on the amazing Mt. Topas just north of Lake George, Colorado. This claim can be access by any vehicle via a dirt road. Much easier to get to than our other claims in Colorado. Hiking is still required, but the alititute is much lower.
As is with most of our trips, we will close the sales of our "pay to digs" far ahead of actually going on the trip. Generally we are digging during a show, so it is advised you purchase your claim access and hotel room(s) as far in advance as possible to ensure good location and affordable prices. The Denver Rock & Gem Show is no small show. Accomodations can be found via Airbnb or in local towns near Florissant, Lake George or Colorado Spring, CO. There is also a public fossil dig site nearby among MANY other attractions. (Caves, National Parks, etc)
Denver Rock and Gem Show dates are Sept. 7th - Sept. 15th, 2019. We will be digging on our claim on Sept 13th - 15th, 2019. As we get closer, arrangments will be made for meeting date and time.
REFUND POLICY: If you cancel on or
before Aug. 1th, 2019, you will receive a 50% refund on your payment.
If you cancel after Aug. 1st, 2019 you will NOT receive a refund.
There are no trades, exchanges, cash values, up charges, etc. We base
this entire trip on the number of people attending, so please make
sure you understand that when you commit to the trip, you follow
through.
Anyone who is going to dig on our
claims must sign a waiver of liability before accessing the claim. NO
ONE shall be on the claim without prior written approval or without
being on the claim with our guide. We hire nearby residents to keep
an eye on our claim or claim jumpers or trespassers. We take this
offense very seriously and will prosecute, if necessary.You MUST be a (or become) member of the Kalamazoo Geological & Mineral Society (KGMS) to go on these trips OR you must belong to a rock club that belongs to the Midwest Federation. Don't worry, your membership to the club is included with your purchase of this claim dig :)
Claim contains such things as, but not limited to:
Albite
- One of the
most common minerals on Mt. Antero, it can be found as pearly-white
crystals up to 0.5 inch, according to Jacobson. Also occurs as the
albite variety called cleavelandite. Associated with microcline, smoky
quartz, muscovite, bertrandite, fluorite and phenakite.
Aquamarine
- Color
ranges from blue to clear. Can sometimes be found as float within the
talus boulders. The best crystals are found in the miarolitic cavities
where they were formed.
Beryl
- Mostly
blue and blue-green in granite matrix, although other colors can be
found, such as green and colorless. In massive or crystalline form.
Associated with many minerals, including fluorite, smoky quartz, topaz,
and phenakite.
Brannerite
- Jacobson says that Bill Chirnside found a 1/16 inch crystal.
Calcite
- Jacobson
reports it to be a very rare mineral in the Mt. Antero area. It has
been found as white, glassy single crystals associated with quartz,
cleavelandite and muscovite. Also found by Bill Chirnside as flattened
wafers up to 2 inches.
Columbite-Tantalite
- Sharp reported it to be associated with zircon, monazite, pyrite, garnet and quartz. (Jacobson)
Fluorapatite - Very uncommon mineral in the Mt. Antero/Mt. White area.
Fluorite - Purple octahedrons have been found by many collectors over the years. Usually associated with albite, muscovite, and quartz.
Monazite
- According to Jacobson, it was reported by Sharp to be associated with zircon, columbite, pyrite and garnet.
Muscovite
- Very common. Associated with fluorite, quartz, etc.
Phenakite
- Crystals
can be white, clear or shades of yellow (amber being one of them) and
are sometimes attached to quartz, thus many people confuse them with
quartz. Jacobson shows sketches of several of the different habits found
in the area. Many mineral associations exist.
Pyrite
- Sharp reported it with zircon, monazite, garnet and columbite in pegmatites. (Jacobson)
Stellerite
- Found by Marge Regel in 1984, it occurred as a coating on microcline, albite and smoky quartz.
Zircon
- Sharp reported it with garnet, columbite, monazite and pyrite in some pegmatites.
Other Notable Minerals
Quartz, Smoky Quartz
More info to come.
If you have any questions, CALL US. We would be happy to chat about it or give more information. Sponsored by Rockhound Rock Shop, Galesburg, Michigan. 269-665-4300
