Hewitt Gem Mine

Date: 5/6/2023 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Location: 202 Turkey Hill Rd., Haddam, CT 06424

*** This trip is now full. ***

The usual rates (30$ / day, 40 $ if you bring generator + equipment) - also additional 10 $ each for LUNCH for Tony, he will provide an excellent lunch for us

Event URL: https://www.mindat.org/loc-23091.html

Fee: 30

Safety Information: Hard Hat NOT Required. Proper safety gear is required on ALL trips. (Glasses, sturdy footwear, Gloves) Hardhat SUGGESTED if planning to use EQUIPMENT (jackhammer/saws). Attendees will be required to sign Hold Harmless Agreement / Attendance Sheet prior to the trip.

Tools: WATER, rock hammer, chisels, sledges, pry bars, shovel, buckets, newspaper, FOOD + DRINK, backpack, (if desired – Jackhammer / Saw)

Max Number of Attendees: 35

Post Event Write-Up:

Attendees:  "Groundhog" Dave, Julia Chien, Steve "Pickles" Wien with Gracie, Arthur Finkelshteyn, Nik and Joanna Caporossi, Jess Lobko and Tom Martorelli, Kevin "Coop" Cooper and Tia Buttcher, Brandon Tracey, Avery Federico, John Montgomery and Gayle Weigand, Jacob Bierman and Eric Otvos, Jordan Lockard, George and Michaela Allen, Dan Perkins, Dan and Cameron Kilpatrick, Monica Sandu with son, Brian Schwab

We had another excellent outing out at the Hewitt Gem Mine.  A LOT of excavation work was done prior to this trip, with a large middle section of the main pit being torn down.  The rubble on the pit floor was also heaved out of the pit, so the bare floor was for the first time, observable.  Every area we were familiar with from previous trips, now had new material deposited in and around it; and there will be a lot more work to come!

Arguably, Kevin "Coop" Cooper had the find of the day, a 3 or so inch aqua Beryl embedded on the floor of the entry to the pit.  Eric assisted in its retrieval via the jackhammer strategically jabbed into surrounding areas of the floor.  Coop also found a number of aqua and yellowish Beryl shards and pieces in multiple areas.  Pickles Steve and Gracie had some nice Schorl tourmaline finds as well as a few small Beryl pieces.  Brandon Tracey pried up and collected some nice Schorl tourmaline sets of crystals from the bare pit floor, nearest the water.  A number of folks found the nice gemmy orange Spessartine Garnet gems, some up to 2-3 mm in dimension.  Several nice examples of Schernikite and Lepidolite were found on small rocks and boulders.  Julia Chien and a few others noted an orange oxidation - like coloration on some of the rocks; it was not fully evident what the cause was.  

I would be VERY REMISS if I did not cover the LUNCH provided by Tony Apilla for this outing.  outstanding burgers and special "Hummler's" Beef Hot dogs were graciously provided, along with bags of chips and other goodies.  New owner Axel graciously donated an OUTSTANDING LARGE tray of very delicious, very loaded PASTA SALAD with all manner of vegetables included.  PLENTY of water and drinks were provided all day, and we can't thank Tony A. enough for the outstanding chow, considering a modest $ 10 p/p donation which is WAY MORE than worth it.