Collecting Crystals
The Guide to Quartz in Arkansas
by Darcy and Mike Howard
published by A&I Studio Press, 2000
Sorry - out of print
This text answers questions about digging crystals. Beginners as well as experienced collectors can use the information and maps in this book to plan collecting trips, find crystals, and prepare them for display or sale. The major quartz collecting locations are described, as well as the many varieties of quartz crystal that can be found in Arkansas.
A guidebook written for all persons who collect quartz, either as an amateur, advanced hobbyist, or serious collector. Step-by-step, this book takes the collector through the complete process of getting ready, getting to the best sites, collecting, cleaning and trimming the crystals for display at their best. 100 black and white photographs and illustrations.
The authors are Darcy and Mike Howard, the husband and wife team who created this web site.
Retail Price: $12.95 Softcover
order the book from A&I Studio
Rocks & Minerals Magazine, Arkansas Issue July/August 1989
The official publication of both the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies and the Midwest Federation of Mineralogical and Geological Societies, all of the articles in this issue are about Arkansas.
Includes a general geology article and a varitey of articles about popular collecting sites from the past 15-20 years: Magnet Cove, Granite Mountain, wavellite, quartz, north Arkansas zinc mineral collecting, and one fossile article; lots of color photos.The authors include J. Michael Howard, Henry L. Barwood, Henry DeLinde, Arthur E. Smith, Albert L. Kidwell, Richard S. Mitchell, Robert I. Gait, and the Ouachita National Forest Service.
Magazine Price: $10.00 Supply very limited, order this out-of-print issue from A&I Studio
Contact these other places for more information:
Arkansas Geological Commission http://www.state.ar.us/agc/agc.htm
3815 W. Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR 72204 (501) 296-1877
Mac B. Woodward, director. Geologists on staff are available to help you identify your finds and answer the questions you have.
email agc@mail.state.ar.us A list of publications can be obtained free upon request from the Map and Publications department at the address above.
Arkansas State Parks
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201 (501)682-7777
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Earth Science Department
Fribourgh Hall Room 307
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2801 South University Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72204
As a community service, the department answers calls from individuals that have questions or want information about any geology- related topic. The Earth Science Office phone number is (501) 569-3546.
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Department of Geology
118 Ozark Hall
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone 501-575-3355, FAX 501-5753846
department home page http://www.uark.edu/depts/geology/
Ouachita National Forest
John C. Nichols, Forest Geologist
Ouachita National Forest
PO Box 1270 (Federal Bldg 100 Reserve St)
Hot Springs, Arkansas 71902
TELE: 501-321-5285 FAX: 501-321-5353
EMAIL: jcnichols@fs.fed.us
WEB: www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/natural-resources/minerals
INSPIRATION: Matthew 11:28-30
A synopsis of a handout entitled "Rockhounding, Mineral Collecting, and Our National Forests" by John Nichols, Forest Geologist, Ouachita National Forest - Feb. 1997
In several National Forests, the Forest Service has developed mineral collecting sites. Examples include sites in Montana, Idaho, and the Ouachita National Forest of Arkansas and Oklahoma. Additional sites are being studied for their feasibility for public rock and mineral collecting. A number of the National Forests already have free literature giving general specimen localities and Forest Service policy and rules for rockhounding. A number of the National Forests have a history of placer gold mining and provide information as to use and restrictions on suction dredging.
There are, however, certain areas designated as off-limits to collectors, principally due to the classification of the land. Restricted lands presently include wilderness areas and designated portions of "wild" rivers. The US Forest Service only manages these areas as set forth by the US Congress (Consequently, it does no good to fuss at the "caretaker" about this situation. If you don't like it, you should become politically active and write your Congressman and Senator. Ed.).
Every collector should become familiar with the laws and regulations under which the Federal Agency administers the public lands the collector wishes to visit. At present, there is no "right" under law for mineral collectors and rockhounders to collect specimens from public lands, like the National Forests. There are some Acts which "open the doors" for us on National Forest lands. They include: the Organic Act of 1897 which recognizes that access to federal minerals is an important use of National Forests to many people. And The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA). The FLPMA calls for a balance among all the uses to "manage", "protect", "preserve", and "provide".
The activity of collecting generally does not "significantly" impact or disturb other Forest resources. Therefore, by simply contacting the local District Ranger, the collector may find that notification is all that is necessary to receive "permission" to conduct their hobbyist activities. An example is simple digging with hand tools for mineral specimens. If a club desires to collect a site using heavier equipment, perhaps a backhoe to prepare the site by exposing specimens for the club members, and the purpose is for the collection of specimens for personal collections, not to sell or trade, then a District Ranger will need to visit the location before hand, simply to examine the area and determine if other Forest resources might be negatively impacted. If approval is given for such club activity, then a written agreement will be signed to determine who the responsible parties are and what their activities will be restricted to. A bond will probably be required to insure land reclamation after use of the site is over.
Many advanced collectors and clubs are concerned with the advancement of the mineral sciences and education of their membership. Collecting by individuals or clubs who are involved in education by publication of articles in professional or lay journals is considered important by the District Ranger. Access may often be granted for these special collecting activities, by temporarily opening a closed road to assist collectors. District Rangers appreciate the general public's right to study and learn from that study.
So, the key to access for mineral collectors and rockhounders on National Forest land is communication. Make contact with the District Ranger and tell them who you are, where you want to go, and what you want to do. (You may be surprised by the positive response you receive. Ed.)
Mike's Rant: Be honest. If you want to collect minerals for resale or trade, then go through the system that is established for commercial ventures. Let the hobbyists have an unstained reputation. To me, the greatest problem for hobbyists and even serious mineral collectors is the greed of certain individuals who will tell everyone they are hobbyists, then they haul away truckloads and leaving nothing for the next collector. These types of people give all our hobbyists a bad name. If you saw someone back up a truck and start emptying out your neighbor's home, you'd probably call the police right away. I strongly suggest you contact the US Forest Service District Ranger should you see someone cleaning out a locality in the same manner.
The handout with the above information is free upon request from the U.S. Forest Service by writing to: P. O. Box 1270, Hot Springs, AR 71901 or by calling (501)321-5202. John Nichols, a geologist, is also a rock and mineral collector and has considerable empathy with we hobbyist-type collectors. He is very concerned about the recent attempts at regulation of our hobby on public lands without having public comment necessary to obtain a complete picture of the various types of rock and mineral collectors who wish to pursue the hobby and enjoy access to public lands. It is truly refreshing to find someone working for the Federal government that I can say is friendly to our cause. I have been privileged to be involved with John, Albert Kidwell, Henry deLinde, Charles Steuart, and others to try an assist the U.S. Forest Service to define the various types of collectors who utilize public lands. Note that I say collectors, not commercial people. There are already numerous regulations covering the commercial recovery of minerals, both for collectors and industry, on Forest Service lands.
Ch 9
Rockhounding Arkansas revised Nov 2008
©Rockhounding Arkansas 1998 http://rockhoundingAR.com