Join us for a fascinating presentation on Craters of the Moon National Monument, located near Arco, Idaho, about four hours southwest of Yellowstone National Park. This extraordinary region showcases an otherworldly terrain of jagged black lava fields, cinder cones, and volcanic features that tell the story of Idaho’s fiery geologic past.

This talk will explore the geology of the Craters of the Moon lava flows, explaining how ancient eruptions shaped this dramatic landscape. We’ll also take a virtual tour through the park, highlighting key formations, hiking areas, and the unique natural beauty that makes this site one of America’s most remarkable volcanic monuments.

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