DMC/GMS Field Trip April 2022

DMC/GMS Field Trip
Metagranite with Blue Quartz in Georgia
Saturday, April 30, 2022

The Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies (SFMS) is an organization comprised of rock clubs in the southeast, and GMS is a member. One of the benefits of being a member of the SFMS is the DMC field trip sharing program. Clubs in the DMC take turns hosting a field trip so other clubs can visit locations where they normally might not have access. Occasionally a club cannot perform its hosting duties, which happened in April, so the SFMS and GMS stepped in to help. Charles Carter, SFMS Field Trip Chair and GMS Field Trip Chair arranged a replacement trip.

An active quarry is exposing the oldest rock in Georgia - a metagranite, i.e., metamorphosed granite, that is dated to be about 1.2 billion years old. Besides its geologic interest, it is prized for the deep blue quartz contrasted by white feldspar in it. The blue in the quartz is caused by tiny titanium minerals that scatter light [http://www.georgiarocks.us/corbin/index.htm#_Beautiful_blue-quartz_bearing].

Once you spot a hint of blue in the piles of rock, a little spritz of water to wash away the dust will bring the color to an intense blue. I think everyone got several specimens of the metagranite with blue quartz. Other specimens of interest were there too. Pyrite, feldspar, and some garnet materials also found their way into some buckets.

Quarry personnel were incredibly accommodating while they watched over us to keep us safe. They gave some collecting bags and coloring books to the juniors, and they helped show us where the best material could be found.

Many thanks to the quarry personnel for allowing us to collect at this geologically important Georgia location. Everyone had so much fun and went home with some spectacular specimens. Many thanks to Charles Carter for arranging this trip so that the DMC member clubs would have an April field trip. And thanks to the participants who followed all the rules and exemplified safe collecting practices.

Lori Carter
On behalf of Charles Carter, Field Trip Chair
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