"My family and I are going to Cherokee Village, AR next week and are wondering where any cool fossil of gemstone places, that are open to the public, are down there?"

"Who needs diamonds, any cool inclusions in quartz? lol
Bob"

"The weekend was great. I found a amethyst agate that weighed 10 pounds at the diamond mine, lots of jasper and other agates. The amethyst was one of the best finds I have found at the mine, They sometimes have vugs lined with rich purple quartz crystals. I have not cut it yet.. No diamonds. A dog found a 1.3 carat diamond. His owner said he had something in his mouth and when he took the stone out , it was a diamond. We stopped at Weger Mine in Mt Ida and found the famous Blue Phantom Quartz with inclusions.( Bob) , Richard, the owner, said that he knew you and that you have been there before. He said to tell you to come back soon. He is opening a new mine and said that it will be open to the general public. It currently is open to groups. The best finds were at the Wavelite mines. Incredible specimens. The Avant mine owners donated a flat of cleaned crystal points to give to school children for educational purposes (Ricchard Weger also donated a flat.) My friend Lowell is retired from NASA but stays busy. He teaches earth science (like you - Bob) and has a package of minerals he gives the children. Billie also volunteers to teach in the local schools. I will post some pictures
Bill "

"Hey Bill, no diamonds, well there is always next time. But man that amethyst geode is way cool! Would like to see some pics of that one. The quartz specimens sounds great too. All in all, a good trip from what it sounds like.

Now to train that hound dog to scent up them diamonds..... :-)

Paul"

"Some of those hounds are pretty smart if they can sense a persons body is going to have a seizure. Because of the odor the body puts out. Or detecting Cancers ect. And being able to detect the drugs they do. Maybe there is more to learn from them. I heard once that a guy found cut diamonds on streets and parking lots with a special light that made them show up. Has anyone heard anything like that? DB

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