After seriously considering the idea of mineral and gem hunting, I set off in the quest for
the local history and knowledge.
The first manual I purchased, was a well known publication titled:
A Collectors Guide To Maine Mineral Localities, Third Addition 1995, now out of print.
This book lays out most of the well known mineral locations, complete with contact information
collecting status, accessibility information, Maps and directions at the time.
It's a great publication of basic information that will prove to be priceless in your endeavors.
Please be advised that a republication is in the works as I understand from good sources.
This was and still is a valuable source of pertinent information for me
and should you ever find yourself in the great State of Maine and decide to venture out
to locate these famous and sometimes obscure locations? I recommend this book as a must.
An online version is available at the Maine Geological Survey web site. Just search and peck.
A key point I would like to offer here is that, just as I pursued the tailings and dumps of many
renowned localities, the majority of mineral and gem hunters do just the same and for
the most part, all are seeking in this same manner. That is, we put ourselves in the areas and
locations that have previously been found and produced such specimens we all seek.
It definately improves the odds of a productive expedition and please don't get me wrong.
There is most definately treasure to be discovered in the tailings and dumps for sure!
Some are sifters, and others break rock to the degree of drilling and blasting but one must
have deep pockets for this latter type of undertaking.
Mrs Mcrillis of The well respected Mount Mica Rarities
in Greenwood, Maine AKA; Plumbago Mining, an enterprise that has contributed
tremendously to the Maine gem and mineral mining history and industry once said to me,
"It's simply all luck" that "mining is one of the biggest wastes of energy, time
and money and ultimately that in the end, You got to be lucky."
And this, from a woman that has been there and done that.
They are valuable words to absorb in the scheme of things.
Mrs. Mcrillis can be found at times in Roxbury, Maine in route to Rangley, Maine
on route 17 North out of Rumford, Maine. Don't blink for if you do you will pass
the sleepy town of Roxbury.
She has a simply wonderful barn chock full of fantastic antiques and memorabilia and
you simply must stop and take a gander. Tell her I sent you and hello again for me.
You can also find there in my opinion, one of the largest if not THE largest specimens of gold
ever found in the State of Maine to date on display.
"It is high in copper" and appears black. It was assayed and proved to be the real thing
taken from a pan in and or around the Coos Canyon area which is also in route to Rangely off
of route 17 a bit farther "as the crow flies" but don't expect GPS numbers or anything.
This is a another good point of interest, in that people seeking gold are looking for just that.
Gold colored gold right? -- Wrong! It in fact has a habit of appearing black at times.
In most cases Maine gold actually has a "rusty" looking appearance but often assays
high in gold content. Platinum attached to gold crystals have also been documented in Maine.
I am sure that many quality specimens have been discarded in the process over the years and in
my opnion is waiting for the taking.
A recent core sample taken "up in the County" has revealed a 3-4+ foot vein of gold but is
at the "700 to 800" foot level and hardly accessible at this time to justify the mining of
the ore. Time will tell up country.
Just a couple of little known rumors and facts that may prove to be helpful for one and all
and local secrets divulged here! Good stuff.
Mt. Mica Rarities is located on route 26 north in Greenwood, Maine. Look for the brightly
colored black raspberry building up and on the right headed North on route 26 out of
Bryant Pond, Maine. If you pass too quickly ? You will miss it.
So slow down, afterall you are in Maine.
There you will find wonerderous things.
Note: With regard to the Gold in Maine and by the way gold can be found in just about
every State in the Union, my advise, whatever it is worth would be to trailblaze new areas and
find the next new spot as most don't bother and the "motherload" has yet to be located.
Some feel it is in the Sandy River region as local legend states.
There is much to be learned from the old saying, "gold is where you find it" and it relates
directly to gem and mineral hunting too. Ref. "Next Bend In The River" publication.
Mineral and gem hunting is alot like fishing in that some days one gets skunked and
on the next day you get a whopper! You have to keep looking for the honey hole in the
end. Literally.
A HUGE problem to overcome in any mining or treasure hunting adventure is of course
a communications issue and the many things to contend with such as the legal issues involved
in property ownership, mineral rights and the associated liabilities involved.
