Join the Friends of Mineralogy – New Jersey Chapter (FM-NJ) and the North Jersey Mineralogical Society (NoJMS) for an exciting afternoon-into-night mineral collecting adventure in Franklin, New Jersey, one of the most famous mineral localities in the world.

Field Trip Details

Date: Saturday, November 15
Meet-Up Time: 4:00 PM sharp (trip departs no later than 4:15 PM)
Collecting Ends: 9:00 PM — all collectors must vacate the property by then.
Attendance: Unlimited — everyone is welcome!

Collecting Sites

Lang Shaft / Hamburg Mine / High Street (Phil Crabb property)
This private Franklin, NJ residence sits atop a unique outcropping of Franklin Marble and dolomitic rock — home to the closest-to-surface zinc orebody contact in Sussex County.

Collectors will find both daylight and fluorescent minerals in abundance, including:

Fluorescent Specimens

• Willemite

• Calcite

• Sphalerite

• Fluorapatite

• Hydrozincite

• Hardystonite

• …and other Franklin classics!

Daylight Minerals

• Franklinite

• Quartz

• Pyrite & Pyrrhotite

• Rhodonite

• Massive Fluorite

• Massive Epidote

• Plus, several new and exciting finds announced on the day of the trip!

This is a rare opportunity to collect under both daylight and UV conditions, so bring your lights and be ready for some spectacular nighttime fluorescence!

Meeting Location

Franklin Mineral Museum
32 Evans Street, Franklin, NJ 07416

Please park along the grass strip to the right of the main museum parking lot.
Trip host Phil Crabb will meet participants at 4:00 PM and guide everyone to the nearby High Street collecting site.

Carpooling from the museum to High Street is encouraged when possible.

Collecting Fee

$25 per person (cash only)
Payable either at the museum before departure or directly at the site.
This fee covers access to Phil Crabb’s private property and the incredible mineral exposures available there.

What to Bring

• Rock hammer, chisels, small sledge

• Shovel or pry bar

• Buckets and newspaper for specimens

• UV lamps (LW / SW / MW) for night collecting

• Food, water, and snacks

• Bug spray and weather-appropriate clothing

Why You’ll Love This Trip

Franklin, NJ is world-renowned for its fluorescent minerals, and this evening dig offers the chance to experience the glow of Willemite and Calcite under UV light firsthand. Whether you’re an experienced collector or a beginner, this is a can’t-miss event for anyone passionate about geology, mineralogy, or New Jersey’s rich mining history.

Join us for an unforgettable night of mineral collecting and camaraderie!
For more information, contact [insert club contact or email here].

Minerals, Rocks, Gems, Jewelry, Fossils

Kid's Activities

Free Admission

Join us for an exciting day of mineral collecting at the Hewitt Gem Mine in Haddam, CT! This privately-owned fee dig site is well-known for its rich pegmatite deposits and wide variety of collectible minerals. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rockhound, this trip offers a fantastic opportunity to uncover beautiful specimens and enjoy a fun day outdoors.

Collecting Site

Hewitt Gem Mine
202 Turkey Hill Rd, Haddam, CT 06424
(Look for the roadside sign marked “HEWITT”)

Date & Time

• Date: Sunday, November 2

• Meet-Up Time: 8:40 AM SHARP

• Trip Start: Briefing begins no later than 8:45 AM

• Digging Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

What You’ll Find

The Hewitt Gem Mine is a classic Connecticut pegmatite locality producing a variety of minerals, including:

• Beryl (including aquamarine)

• Tourmaline

• Garnets

• Quartz

• Feldspar

• Mica

• And more!

Fees

• Dig Fee: $30 per person (all-day dig)

• With Power Tools/Drills: $40 per person

• Kids 10 & under: FREE

• Lunch: Cooked meal available for $10 per person (please bring a separate $10 bill)

Attendance

• Limited to 35 participants MAX

• Groups preferred at 2–3 people per team

Lunch

A cooked lunch will be provided for a modest $10 per person. Please bring a separate $10 bill for this meal.

What to Bring

• Plenty of water

• Rock hammer, chisels, sledges, pry bars, shovel, rock pick

• Buckets, newspaper, backpack

• Optional: jackhammer or rock saw (if using, bring proper gear)

• Food and drinks for the day (if not purchasing lunch)

• Bug spray, sunscreen

Dress Code: Long pants required (no shorts).

Safety Requirements

• Hard Hat: Not required, but suggested if using equipment such as jackhammers or saws.

• Mandatory Gear: Safety glasses, sturdy footwear, gloves.

• Waiver: All attendees must sign a Hold Harmless Agreement and attendance sheet before digging.

Why Join This Trip?

• Collect high-quality pegmatite minerals from a historic Connecticut site.

• Great for families — kids 10 & under dig for free.

• Affordable adventure with optional cooked lunch available on-site.

• Supportive new owners continue to allow club access to this unique locality.

Don’t miss out on this Hewitt Gem Mine dig in Haddam, CT! Spots are limited to 35 people, so secure your spot early and get ready for a full day of mineral collecting and fun.