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TREASURE HUNTING IN VIRGINIA
Add what you know about this area to create a handy guide for other treasure hunters.
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What this area is known for:
1. Gold
2. Beryl - emerald
3. Corundum - sapphires, rubies
4.Garnet
5. Star Quartz
6.Rhodonite
7. Agate
8. Fairy Crosses
9. Unakite
Biggest finds in this area:
1.2800 carat garnet - the Rutherford lady

2. World class Amazonite from Amelia County

3.
World's only crystalline turquoise at Lynch Station
Local appraisers:
1. Name, contact info/website
2.
3.
4.
Local geocaching/treasure hunting clubs:
1. http://www.amfed.org/
2..
3.
4.
Best time of year to go:Best during the warmer months. However, the heat of summer can limit prospecting to the cooler hours of the day Other helpful resources:
1.
2.
3.

Have a question about treasure hunting or geocaching in this region?
THE BEST PLACES TO HUNT
Regions can have multiple good spots to go add details to build a complete guide.
Location #1: Fairy Stone State Park



General description: With 4537 acres the state park is one of Virginia largest and most popular. The lakes, the scenic beauty make this site a truely enjoyable place to stay. The Park is also a great site to collect Virginia Fairy stones. Fairy crosses are staurolite, a combination of silica, iron and aluminum. Staurolite crystallizes at 60 or 90 degree angles, hence the stone's cross-like structure.
How to get there:

From I-81 near Roanoke, take Route 581 to Route 220 South to Route 57 West to Route 346 North (Fairystone Lake Drive)

The State Park web site is:
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/fai.shtml
Grade this location: (A to F): A GPS coordinates:

Handy to bring along:
1. Bag to put your crosses in
2.
3.
Helpful notes to newcomers:
Legend of the Fairy Cross:
Many hundreds of years before Chief Powhatan’s reign, fairies were dancing around a spring of water, playing with naiads and wood nymphs, when an elfin messenger arrived from a city far away. He brought news of the death of Christ. When these creatures of the forest heard the story of the crucifixion, they wept. As their tears fell upon the earth, they crystallized to form beautiful crosses.
Location #2: The Allah Cooper Mine


General description: Examination of the mine dumps in January, 2003, revealed sphalerite, linarite, galena,gold, chalcopyrite, pyrite, pyromorphite, pyrophyllite, and wulfenite. Virginia Division of Mineral Resources
How to get there: The mine is located in Louisa County, Virginia approximately 5.5 miles northeast of the town of Mineral on Blackwater Branch, a tributary of Contrary Creek Additional information can be found at: Virginia Division of Mineral Resources Virginia Minerals publication
Grade this location: (A to F): GPS coordinates:

Handy to bring along:
1. Rock hammer
2. Bucket
3. Shovel
4. Gloves
5. Safety glasses
Helpful notes to newcomers:
The mineral specimens are found in the abandoned tailing piles. Be sure to get permission to collect on private property.
Location #3: Morefield Gem Mine

General description: The Morefield Mine is a highly mineralized pegmatite dike having a length of 2,000 feet and a depth of 300 feet. It produces over 70 different minerals, with more new ones being discovered. The mine produces mica, feldspar, beryl, phenakite for a few popular ones. It produces minerals of the tantalum/columbite series too. The mine is well known for finding Amazonite. It is truly a varied mixture of minerals.
How to get there:

13400 Butlers Road - Amelia, Virginia

For more information check out:
://www.toteshows.com/morefield.html
Grade this location: (A to F): A GPS coordinates:

Handy to bring along:
1. Rock hammer & chisel
2. Rock pick
3. Bucket
4. small sledge hammer - 3 pound
Helpful notes to newcomers:
Topaz and garnets and garnets can be found as well as amethyst.
Location #4: Visuvius Unakite Quarry
General description: Unakite is the Virginia State stone. Unakite is an altered granite composed of pink othoclase feldspar. green , and quartz.. It has various shades of green and pink and is usually mottled in appearance. It is an excellent lapidary gemstone that takes a high polish.
How to get there: On I84 take the Steeles Tavern exit; Hwy 56. Drive east to Vesuvius. The quarry is on HWY 56 just east of town.
Grade this location: (A to F): Coordinates: 37° 53' 60'' North : 79° 10' 48'' West

Handy to bring along:
1. Hard Hat
2. Rock hammer
3.Safety glasses
Helpful notes to newcomers:
This is a quarry and permission must be obtained to collect.
Location #5:
Jack Gold Prospecting Supply

http://www.jackgoldprospectingsupplies.com

General description: Great prospectors store that carries both panning concentrates for those of us unable to go gold prospecting on a regular basis and prospecting supplies for those of us heading out to find gold!
How to get there -
Physical address, call to make an appointment:
Jack Gold Prospecting Supplies
1416 Dry Fork Road
Dry Fork, VA 24549

jackgold@jackgoldprospectingsupplies.com
Grade this location: (A to F): A+ About Jack:
Jack Gold is a good friend of ours with ties to both the Central Virginia Gold Prospectors and Contrary Creek Prospectors Organization.

Don't be afraid to ask some advice about prospecting. Jack always takes the time to share his knowledge with new and seasoned prospectors.

Meet him some day while he's participating in community oriented prospecting activities, you'll be glad you did.
Jack with new prospectors
Helpful notes to newcomers:

Purchase some of Jacks panning concentrates. They are a great way to learn the technique behind panning and all of his bags have gold in them. Even if you're an experienced prospector, they're great to pass away the winter months and avoid cabin fever!

When you're ready to start prospecting on your own, contact Jack for all the supplies you'll need. Just be warned, once you catch the bug, it's hard to shake it!
VIDEO FROM THIS AREA
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PHOTOS FROM THIS AREA
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rockcandyguy
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Latest page update: made by rockcandyguy , Oct 28 2009, 11:02 AM EDT (about this update About This Update rockcandyguy Edited by rockcandyguy

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Started By Thread Subject Replies Last Post
lovetohunt Any good stuff in VA? 5 Dec 16 2008, 10:29 PM EST by WizardOfTheStone
Thread started: May 17 2008, 9:40 PM EDT  Watch
Is there anything here or close to here I can search for treasures? Cant you fdind stuff in creek beds?
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lovetohunt Looking to hunt near VA 2 May 31 2008, 9:49 PM EDT by hodhod77
Thread started: May 17 2008, 9:50 PM EDT  Watch
Does anyone know of any good places to hunt?
1  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    
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Tonya52 Northern Virginia 3 Mar 2 2008, 9:43 PM EST by natepickle
Thread started: Jan 19 2008, 9:14 PM EST  Watch
I have loved rocks since I was a child, but my mother never allowed me to get dirty. Thank heavens my husband indulges me. Since we aren't retired yet, I am interested in short excursions. We have been to Amelia, Virginia. Does anyone have suggestions of other places?
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