CompuServe Messages

Linda, There are lots of ways of getting more involved in field collecting. Perhpas the easiest is to find people in your area who are knowledgeable and who are willing to share info with you. Try the yellow pages to see whether there are any rock shops near you. The proprietor may know of local clubs and collectors who can direct you to localities. Join a good mineral club that has an active field collecting schedule. Another way to find out where the local clubs are is to check out the April issue (every year) of Lapidary Journal. It lists almost all the clubs in the US, Canada, and most of the rest of the world. Go to the library to see whether there are collecting guidebooks for your area. Write to your state's geological survey. Many states' geological surveys have good publications for collectors. Check out a federal document depository library for bulletins, professional papers, etc., of the U.S. Geological Survey. It may have helpful articles on the geology and mineralogy of the area of interest. This takes a lot of time, but it can be very rewarding. The publications often have good maps showing prospects, mines, and quarries. Good Luck and Be Careful! Nathan A. Schachtman nschacht@omni.voicenet.com