The Georgia Mineral Society, Inc.
4138 Steve Reynolds Boulevard
Norcross, GA 30093-3059

GMS Field Trip

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GMS Field Trip
Tours and Gold Panning in Georgia
Saturday, July 29, 2017

The third GMS field trip for July ended a month of great field trips. We started by learning about the Chestatee Diving Bell, an extraordinary artifact of mining history in Georgia. Next we visited the Dahlonega Gold Museum where we learned about the history of gold mining in Dahlonega. There were some incredible gold specimens on display and, in an area normally kept locked, we got to see some bricks that were made of clay from a local creek. Tiny flecks of gold are actually visible in the bricks. Then, we headed to the Crisson Mine to get some gold panning practice and do a little gem grubbing. Plus, we got to see a working stamp mill that is used to crush gold bearing rocks. After a brief break for lunch, we reconvened at an old gold mine where we put our panning skills to work in the wild. A few members hiked along the creek to see an old water wheel while Mike Pettis cranked up a mini-dredge and help other members get some gold. Further downstream, other members panned away. I saw a few small flakes and heard that some people found some “flour” or very fine gold.

Thanks to Chris Worick, a local historian who taught us about the diving bell last year, and the many people and donors who worked so hard to preserve the diving bell and its history, people will be able to see and learn about a unique artifact that would otherwise have been lost to time. Thank you to the staff at the gold museum for welcoming us so warmly and answering our questions. We cannot thank the property owners enough for allowing us to visit a real gold mine, preparing the location so it would be easier for us to navigate, and for giving us the opportunity to experience a taste of Georgia gold history first hand. And thank you to Charles Carter for once again setting up a trip full of moving parts that was both fun and educational.

Lori Carter
On behalf of Charles Carter, GMS Field Trip Chair
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Click here for a more detailed report and pictures from the 2016 field trip