FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[salomonarthur]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could direct me how to practice “prospecting for minerals” actually, in the field. I did spend time trying to understand the basics of prospecting. Unfortunately I believe the land status can get a little confusing especially with so much Federal Land around Maryland.
I live in Maryland and I was wondering if anyone knows a place where I can prospect just to get a feeling of it, for practice purposes (Just for clarification I’m not asking for your secret spot because, I do respect all the work the prospectors do!). I do not care if there are no crystals there, I just want to experience hands on digging, be able to recognize clues in the field that may direct me in the future to find my own first pocket!
So far I understand that you can prospect in National Forest with some exemptions. Even though, all the most interesting topics are related to western states.
Thanks for taking your time to read my post.

[Bob Harman]

Welcome!

Let me first say that I am not in or near Maryland and can't be of any help locating specific collecting sites near you. But, I have been a field collector for years here in Indiana and places close by. Perhaps others on this site might suggest some nearby specific sites for you to try.

Ideally it sounds great what you wish to do, but in reality, it is not so easy. Now-a-days, there are many obstacles to collecting with few available sites. You really don't want to field collect where you won't have much chance of finding anything as adults rapidly become disenchanted with collecting after several times of coming away with nothing.

I suggest joining your local club(s). If they are active, they might have field trips where more advanced field collectors will show you the sites to collect and actually how to do it. BOB

[James Catmur]

I used to live over the state line in PA.

As a kid (so 40 years ago) I used to visit old railroad cuts (garnets, or a kind), river beds and fields when the farmers dug a trench for a new fence (mica, schorl). Have a look at MinDat, visit local rock shops and talk to people. That is how I found localities (well and our own fields). The area SW of Avondale was interesting

[jim hill]

I just started myself. I live in Bessemer PA. There are a lot of old quarries around here. When I asked a similar question I was told to focus on one group, so I picked up every interesting stone, within a mile radius. I found sea coral, ilmenite with large glass structure (volcanic activity) and a possible meteorite. A piece is at YSU geology dept. now, being tested for me. It was like falling down a Jacobian Ladder.... over a 1,000 variations mind boggling. My two sons and grandson are all involved, have fun my friend.