FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Tom Tucker]

Oliver, do a web search for the Columbus Gem and Mineral Society. I'm sure you'll meet other collectors who will help you with your collecting and identification of your minerals. Tom

[Jamison Brizendine]

Hi Oliver,

I was on the road yesterday, so I just noticed this thread today. I have to agree with the others that your Alum Creek “fluorites” are also calcites, based on the physical properties. Calcite is fairly abundant in the Columbus area and has been documented on the northwest and southwest side of Columbus. Even though little geologic work has been done on the northeast or southeast side of the city, I wouldn’t doubt you could find calcite crystals on that side as well.

The closest documented fluorite locality near you is the National Lime & Stone Co. Delaware Quarry (frm. The Klondike Quarry), north of Bellepoint in Scioto Township. The fluorite was collected in the Columbus and Delaware Limestone formations at the extreme southeast corner of the Findlay Arch. I don’t think collectors have been granted access to that quarry and fluorite is fairly rare there.

Since you live in Columbus, I would also recommend you join and show your specimens with the Columbus Rock and Mineral Club. They are a fairly active club that puts on a mineral show every year in the beginning of April. Finally, I would recommend also picking up a copy of Ernest Carlson, Minerals of Ohio. The second edition of the book is the current (2015) edition and is updated.

Glad to know there are more enthusiastic Buckeye State collectors and looking to seeing new things you are finding.