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.

In this presentation, we will learn about sphalerite, a mineral of great and often understated importance in our daily lives and its many interesting properties, focusing on fluorescence.

We will be learning about the unique geology and history of several locations where world class fluorescent sphalerite occurs and learning about the incredible array of colors and patterns that fluorescent sphalerite can create. 

The first 15 minutes will be for anyone wanting to show and tell about a rock or two they have. Then we will be starting the Special Effects badge. There are some rocks that have unique characteristics, for this badge we will explore them.