In October of 2001 ROCK traveled to Lincolnton, Georgia to visit the famous Graves Mountain collecting locale. Click on any of the mineral images specimens below to open a closer view in a new window.

Here is the main pit looking south.

Checking the fuchite weathering out of a vertical vein.

Searching for lazulite in the upper pit.

Iridescent hematite on pyrophyllite.

Four happy rockhounds show off their treasures dug from the pocket behind them.

Pyrophyllite on kyanite.

Below are some links to learn more about Graves Mountain.

Adam Barwood's discussion of Graves Mountain.

Henry Barwood's discussion of Graves Mountain.

An article from the August 1998 Rock and Gem.

From Rockhound.com.

The lake at the bottom of the pit is filled with colorful water. This is caused by the decomposition of pyrite.

Pyrite and kyanite on quartz. The kyanite (aluminum silicate) was the economic mineral mined to make spark plug porcelains.

Lazulite in quartzite.

Iridescent hematite on quartz.

Three rockhounds get ready to walk to the collecting area.