JXR
Went to JXR (Jackson's Cross Roads, E. GA) last month (Dec. '07) and was handed a clump of mud that turned out to be this (see pixs). I picked around but mainly photographed.
We weren't allowed into the pit (as the mine has just changed hands. Our field trip chair didn't know if we would ever be allowed back in so we feel lucky that it was even opened to us for picking thru the tailings.
The trick is to take the clumps of mud home them and work on them because the clay holds the crystals to the matrix and protects them (if you see black sharp objects jutting from the mud-those are crystals, just wrap the blob in newspaper and clean them at home...it takes some time to do it correctly). I started in the kitchen with a bowl, water and a spoon but quickly took the operation outside as the water pik got to be rather messy.
Pictures posted...not enough room to explain on the photo site but the pictures are self explainatory.
Audie
We weren't allowed into the pit (as the mine has just changed hands. Our field trip chair didn't know if we would ever be allowed back in so we feel lucky that it was even opened to us for picking thru the tailings.
The trick is to take the clumps of mud home them and work on them because the clay holds the crystals to the matrix and protects them (if you see black sharp objects jutting from the mud-those are crystals, just wrap the blob in newspaper and clean them at home...it takes some time to do it correctly). I started in the kitchen with a bowl, water and a spoon but quickly took the operation outside as the water pik got to be rather messy.
Pictures posted...not enough room to explain on the photo site but the pictures are self explainatory.
Audie
