Eastern Field Trip Alliance

E. F. T. A.  MINERALS to be FOUND

MINERALS TO BE FOUND

Description: Trap rock mineral dig. Haledon, NJ
Field Notes for Prospect Park Quarry
Locality:   Haledon, Passaic Co., New Jersey
 

Geology:
quarry cuts through numerous layers of Triassic Watchung basalts down to a
basal Triassic red shale layer. The upper part of the lower Orange Mountain (First Watchung) flow is exposed. Uppermost zones of the pits cut through well mineralized bedded pillow basalt and vesicular basalts but the upper flow has been largely mined away - still some persisting on eastern rim of the pit..
 

The lower levels of the pit cut through more solid lava basalt (massive and
columnar).
 

Minerals at Prospect Park Quarry
Mineral   Notes

Actinolite (?)   2 to 3 cm wide oval vugs are filled with sprays of
crystals,
light to dark green. White 2 mm specks dot the crystals, possibly albite.
Possible pseudomorph after anhydrite?

  Albite   sheaflike crystals of pinkish crystals on other minerals- to 7 mm


  Analcime   single, well formed roundish crystals nearly the size of a
grape,
usually whitish

  Apophyllite   as well formed white to clear crystals with zeolites

  Azurite   occurs as bright blue coatings and microcrystalline clusters in
a
gossan like material on the uppermost level- probably deposited by ground
water
percolation at or near the soil zone

  Babingtonite   found as 1 cm rosettes on white quartz in pockets in the
upper
level

  Calcite   abundant as smallish rhombic crystals in cavities and as single
large, roundish scalenohedra on uppermost level common as scalenohedra with
curved faces on the second level- associated with prehnite

  Chalcocite (?)   occurs as crystalline masses of slate gray color
associated
with malachite on the second level

  Chalcopyrite   occurs as small golden crystals and some weathered masses
in
the uppermost level

  Chrysocolla   occurs as bright blue green pseudomorphic material in the
gossan like material of the uppermost level associated with other copper
minerals

  Datolite   bright green to transparent clear well formed crystals in
cavities, very common, crystals show a surface coating on alternating
crystal
faces

  Gmelinite   occasional as opaque, orange tan rhombic crystals lining
cavities

  Hematite   very common as iridescent dark plates in tiny aggregates and
inclusion in crystals

  Heulandite   Very common as coatings of well formed crystals to nearly 1
inch
in various shades ranging from gray through deep brick red, typical coffin
shape and pearly luster. Rare occurence of light brown translucent saddle
like
aggregates up to 50 mm in contact zones between pillows.

  Malachite   occurs as bright green crusts and blebs in the gossan like
material of the uppermost zone and in cavities with other copper minerals in

the second level basalts

  Natrolite   as weathered disintegrating aggregates of hairlike needles
filling cavities and very friable

  Pectolite   cavity filllings with mammillary masses of white needles
altering
to pink Stevensite, uncommon

  Prehnite   bright green blebs in the cavities of vesicular basalt in the
uppermost level bright green to blue coatings and blebs in gas pockets on
the
second level- usually with scalenohedral calcites 

  Pumpellyite   as tiny greenish black balls of micro crystals on other minerals- upper level

  Pyrite   occurs as single crystals and unusual shaped growths in the druzy quartz of cavities in the upper level

  Quartz   abundant as cavity linings and seam fillings, varieties include excellent rock crystal and amethyst, white crystals, smoky quartz and
chalcedony

  Stilbite   Common as well formed clumps and bowties of brown sheafy crystals,
various sizes and levels of development throughout the upper level



Binkley & Ober. East Petersburg Quarry

Date: 6/7/2003
Description: Limestone mineral dig. Meet at gate to quarry entrance for
entry
at 8 am East Petersburg, Lancaster Co. , Pennsylvania
Contact Dave Rieur for your attendance: Tel +1 (908) 281-6561  Limit to 20
first collectors.
Field Notes for Binkley & Ober. East Petersburg Quarry

Locality:   East Petersburg, Lancaster Co. , Pennsylvania

Geology:
This active quarry is mining the Buffalo Springs Fm. Cambrian in age.
Rocks are gray limestones with white calcite veins, dolostones and shales
and
sandstones. Minerals as crystals include: golden calcites,
pink dolomites, cubic and octohedral fluorites, pyrites and chalcopyrites.

Minerals at Binkley & Ober. East Petersburg Quarry

Mineral   Notes

  Attapulgite   Occurs as scaly masses made up of snow-white finely-fibrous
aggregates on coarsely crystalline pink dolomite and white calcite in gash
veins cutting the Conochocheague Limestone.

  Calcite   The calcite crystals found here are the golden variety, mostly
clear translucent and associated with quartz clusters.

  Dolomite   The dolomites were found approx. 1/2 cm. crystals solitary and
clustered. Many of the clusters have voids which allowed you to see the
curved
nature of the crystals well. The matrix is grey dolostone. Color is light
pink.

  Fluorite   Deep purple cubes (2 cm) associated with calcite

  Quartz   Common. Occurs as colorless translucent to opaque masses mixed
with
white calcite in veins. Occasionaly crystallized to euhedral or subhedral
crystals (5 cm).

  Sphalerite   Rare. Occurs as brown-yellow masses (20 mm) in calcite.



Martin Limestone. Kurtz Quarry

Date: 8/2/2003
Description: Limestone mineral dig. Meet at gate to quarry entrance for
entry
at 8 am The quarry is located on Kurtz Rd in Denver, a short distance from
the
Silk City Diner. Contact Dave Rieur for your attendance: Tel +1 (908)
281-6561
Limit to 20 first collectors.

Field Notes for Martin Limestone. Kurtz Quarry

Locality:   Denver, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania

Geology:
This is an active limestone quarry which cuts through the ________ Formation
of
dense gray to black dolomitic limestone. Mineralization occurs as vein
fillings
in brecciated limestone

Minerals at Martin Limestone. Kurtz Quarry


  Mineral   Notes

  Barite   Rare. Occurs as yellowish plates (5mm).

  Calcite   Common. Occurs as massive white veins. White opaque
scalenohedral
crystals, twinned on basal plane (30 mm). Smaller colorless crystals
abundant.

  Chalcopyrite   occasional as golden crystals on and in the calcite

  Dolomite   occurs as well formed, pink curved crystals of typical form for

the species, usually associated with calcite and fluorite

  Fluorite   occurs as 3-4 mm modified cubes in purple and purple zoned
colors,
common throughout the green mud/limestone zones of the quarry as a purple
sheen
on the limestone joints

  Pyrite   common as tiny crystals associated with the calcite and fluorite,

forms usually in the pyritohedron types. As cubes (1/4") in green
mud/limestone
layers.

  Quartz   occurs as opaque masses mixed with calcite in limestone lenses
occasionaly terminated clear rock crystals associated with dolomite (up to
1")

  Sphalerite   Uncommon. Resinous red-orange masses and probable crystals
associated with the calcite and dolomite. Very rare crystals red-orange up
to
1/2" associated with dolomite.