John Betts - Fine Minerals > Home Page > Mineral Collecting Field Trips > Sparta, New Jersey |
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collectors.
Recent collecting indicates this site is still open to collectors.
John Betts does not own the collecting site.
Description: The Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineral Society sponsors a field trip to this quarry twice a year, open to all Eastern Federation clubs. Collecting is allowed only during these field trips, otherwise no trespassing. This is an enormous working quarry located in the Franklin Marble belt in northwestern NJ.
The collecting is usually on the lower two levels of the quarry, and you must walk all the way in. No vehicles are allowed. You must stay away from the quarry walls by at least ten feet. But there are lots of large boulders and fresh blast material to collect from. Every time we have a trip here somebody finds a unique or special specimen. There is no predicting what you will find.
Minerals: Corundum, graphite, tremolite, galena, fluorite, sphalerite, spinel, barite, calcite, brown tourmaline, fluorescent norbergite, tremolite.
Bring: hard hat, hard toe boots, membership card, hand tools, prybars, sledge hammers, insect repellent, food and water, sunglasses, rain gear (the trip is rain or shine).
NOTE This is an operating quarry. They are required by law to enforce the hard hat and hard toe boot rules. You must have this equipment in order to be admitted.
Directions: Take George Washington Bridge to Route 80 west. Near Dover, exit to Rt. 15 north. Stay on Rt. 15 through Sparta. After Sparta the road narrows to undivided highway. About 1/2 mile beyond look for a flashing light at an intersection, turn left. Follow this road around to the quarry (it will jog right around the north end of the quarry) The entrance is around on the south side. You will see a line of other cars waiting. The gate is opened at 9:00 a.m. Arrive early to avoid the line to sign in.
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Sample Minerals from this location: Pyrite, Galena, Pyrite2, Amphibole, Spinel, Galena2, Unknown, Tremolite
Unfortunately, the status of mineral collecting sites change often. Inclusion in this site does not give an individual the right to trespass. If the land owner is present ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION prior to entering a collecting location. ALWAYS RESPECT THE PROPERTY OWNER, you are his guest. When in doubt, do not enter.
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