Upcoming shows and events
June 3-4, Birmingham, AL - Alabama Mineral & Lapidary Society. 33rd Annual Tannehill Gem, Mineral, Fossil, and Jewelry Show. Tannehill Historical State Park. Rick Kittinger, rick.kittinger@bellsouth.net.
June 3-4, Marion, KY - Clement Mineral Museum. Mineral, Fossil, and Jewelry Show. 205 N. Walker St. 3rd, 9-6; 4th, 11-5. Rose Ann Brasher, 877-965-4263, beclement@kynet.biz, www.marionkentucky.us/clementmineralmuseum/.
June 9-11, Charlotte, NC - Charlotte Gem & Mineral Club. 38th Annual Gem and Mineral Show. Charlotte Merchandise Mart, 2500 E. Independence Blvd. 9th & 10th, 10-7; 11th, 10-5. www.charlottegem.com.
June 10, Weinman Mineral Museum. 18th Annual Rock Fest. 10 am—5 pm.
51 Mineral Museum Dr. White, GA
June 16-15, Asheville, NC - Colburn Earth Science Museum, Gem Fest. 2 South Pack Square, Asheville, NC Phone: 828-254-7162 16th, 10-8; 17th, 10-6; 18th, 12-5.
Morefield Gem Mine History
There are 70-odd old mines and prospects in Amelia County, Virginia. Among them are two highly materialized pegmatite veins, namely the Rutherford and the Morefield Mines. Both are similar in their makeup with mineral varieties numbering 80 or more.
The Morefield vein is an extensive deposit, having a known length of 2,000 feet, and a depth approaching 300 feet. The mine has produced not only a great number of specimens, but also many minerals of commercial importance. Among the latter are included: Mica, Feldspar, Beryl, Phenakite, and minerals of the Tantalum/Columbite series.
World known for (gem) Amazonite and best of three localities in the United States is The Morefield Mine. The mine has abundant microcrystals for collectors who specialize in micromounting.
The Morefield Mine was opened by Silas V. Morefield in 1929. Worked by several companies, including the U.S. Bureau of Mines.
In 1996, Sam & Sharon Dunaway acquired the Mine. They are expanding the mine workings and the recreational aspects of the mine. Their goal is to make an underground commercial tourist mine.
• Exhibits & Gift Shop
• Collecting From Mine Dumps (bring your own bucket or container)
• Outcrop Digging - for the advanced collector.
• Sluice Screening - screens and shovels available.
• Picnicking - Soda & Snack Machines
• Restrooms