A Geology Club for All

Join us for a special afternoon-into-night mineral collecting trip at the Phil Crabb property on High Street in Franklin, New Jersey.

This private residence contains a unique outcropping of Franklin Marble and dolomitic rock, featuring the closest-to-surface zinc orebody contact in Sussex County. The property offers opportunities to collect an impressive variety of both fluorescent and daylight minerals, along with the possibility of exciting new finds that will be discussed during the trip.

Date and Time

Saturday, October 24

• Meet at 3:45 p.m.
• The trip will depart no more than 15 minutes after the meeting time
• Collecting continues until 9:00 p.m., or as otherwise directed by property owner Phil Crabb
• Everyone must vacate the property promptly at the designated ending time

Meeting Location

Franklin Mineral Museum
32 Evans Street
Franklin, NJ 07416

Park on the grass strip immediately to the right of the end of the museum’s main parking lot.

Phil Crabb will meet the group at the museum at approximately 4:00 p.m. and guide everyone to the designated parking area on the High Street property. Carpooling from the museum is encouraged whenever possible.

Collecting Fee

The collecting fee is $25 per person—cash only.

Payment may be made at the museum or during the dig.

Attendance Requirements

• Maximum attendance: 40 participants
• Minimum age: 8 years old
• This is private property. All participants must follow the instructions of the property owner and trip leaders.
• All attendees must sign a Hold Harmless Agreement before collecting.

Fluorescent Minerals

Potential fluorescent finds include:

• Willemite and calcite varieties
• Sphalerite
• Fluorapatite
• Hydrozincite
• Hardystonite
• Other fluorescent species

Daylight Minerals

Associated daylight minerals may include:

• Franklinite
• Quartz
• Pyrite
• Pyrrhotite
• Rhodonite
• Massive fluorite
• Massive epidote
• Other associated species

Please collect only within designated areas, respect the property and leave the site clean.

The shows take place at the Freeport Recreation Center which is conveniently located on Merrick Road, 1/4 mile west of the Merrick/Freeport border. It is a stone's throw from Freeport's water front with its busy marinas, and its' famous Freeport "Nautical Mile", featuring dozens of restaurants, and alluring shops.

Explore the fascinating mineralogy of vivianite and the unusual, sometimes macabre conditions under which it forms. This talk examines the chemistry, crystal structure, distinctive color, and associations with human and animal remains that make vivianite one of the mineral world’s most beautiful—and unsettling—curiosities.