All of these rocks and gems were found right here in Berks County PA!

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actinolite found in dyer gibraltar quarry
ACTINOLITE
from the Dyer Gibraltar Quarry, Robeson Township.
Steve Carter (Pennminerals.com) collection. Ron Sloto photograph.

Interesting Facts
The name Actinolite derives from the Greek term “aktinos” which means “ray” or “beam”. This mineral is made from Calcium, Magnesium, and Iron silicates. In the magnesium rich areas of Actinolite, you’ll find asbestos fibers.

 

 

agate
AGATE
from the Dyer Gibraltar Quarry, Robeson Township.
Ron Sloto collection and photograph.

Interesting Facts
The beauty of Agate has been appreciated for centuries as it can often be seen in jewelry from hundreds of years ago and even today. This captivating gemstone develops in cavities of ancient volcanic rocks. Agate’s name comes from the River Achates in Sicily, where it is said to have first been found.

amethyst found in wheatfield mine
QUARTZ, var. AMETHYST
from the Wheatfield Mine, Spring Township.
Reading Public Museum collection. Ron Sloto photograph

Interesting Facts
The photo above depicts Quartz with a vibrantly purple Amethyst gem attached. Although in appearance these two look vastly different, just a few atoms of iron that replace silicon are what creates that distinguishing purple color. However, Roman mythology has a different take on this fact. According to ancients, the stone was colored purple by the God of wine and was turned this color to protect against drunkenness.


ANDRADITE
from the Grace Mine, New Morgan.
Ron Sloto collection and photograph.

Interesting Facts
Andradite is a species of the garnet stone. There are three varieties of this rock, which are Melanite, Demantoid, and Topazolite. The variation above is Topazolite. Andradite is used for the regeneration of blood, the assimilation of vital minerals, and to help strengthen the immune system.

andradite
ANDRADITE
from the Route 222 Road Cut Locality, Cumru Township.
Ron Sloto collection and photograph.

apophyllite from grace county mine
APOPHYLLITE
from the Grace Mine, New Morgan.
Ron Sloto collection and photograph.

Interesting Facts
Apophyllite is a gemstone that’s made from a mix of 3 types of minerals, Fluorapophyllite, Hydroxyapophyllite, Natroapophyllite. These minerals create different hues of the gemstone, which are green, clear, and a brown/yellow color. It was first discovered in the 18th century and can often be found in the mines of India, Brazil, Italy, Greenland and Canada.

aragonite
ARAGONITE
from the Jones Mine, Caernarvon Township.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History Jefferis collection. Ron Sloto photograph.

Interesting Facts
Aragonite can come in a variety of hue colors, from white and grey, green to blue and even red and yellow. It can be found in stalactites in caves or near hot springs. Aragonite is also critical for marine life because it keeps the pH level of water close to its natural level.

argonite
ARAGONITE
Ohnmacht Cave
Blue Marsh Lake, State Hill


ARAGONITE, MAGNETITE, PYRITE, CHALCOPYRITE, CCALCITE
Jones Mine

aragonite from jones mine
ARAGONITE
from the Jones Mine, Caernarvon Township.
Bryn Mawr College Vaux collection. Ron Sloto photograph.

azurite
AZURITE
from the Fritz Island Mine, Cumru Township.
Reading Public Museum collection. Ron Sloto photograph.

brucite found in fritz island mine
BRUCITE
from the Fritz Island Mine, Cumru Township.
Bryn Mawr College Vaux collection. Ron Sloto photograph.

calcite
CALCITE
from the Eastern Industries Quarry, Oley Township.
Ron Sloto collection and photograph.

calcite
CALCITE
from the Dyer Trap Rock Quarry, Birdsboro.
Ron Sloto collection and photograph.

rock and minerals found chabazite
CHABAZITE
from the Fritz Island Mine, Cumru Township.
Reading Public Museum collection. Ron Sloto photograph.


QUARTZ, var. CHALCEDONY
from Flint Hill, Richmond Township.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History Philadelphia Academy collection. Ron Sloto photograph.

rock and minerals found copperCOPPER from the Boyertown mines, Boyertown.
Reading Public Museum collection. Ron Sloto photograph.


COPPER
from the Jones Mine, Caernarvon Township.
Reading Public Museum collection. Ron Sloto photograph.

datolite
DATOLITE
from the Grace Mine, New Morgan.
Steve Carter (Pennminerals.com) collection. Ron Sloto photograph.

fluorite
FLUORITE
from the Eastern Industries Quarry, Oley Township.
Bryn Mawr College Quickel collection. Ron Sloto photograph.


GISMONDINE

 from the Fritz Island Mine, Cumru Township. Carnegie Museum of Natural History collection. Ron Sloto photograph.


GOETHITE
Udree Mine
Berks County PA


LIMONITE
from Fleetwood, Richmond Township.
Reading Public Museum collection. Ron Sloto photograph.


LIMONITE
from the Seitzinger mine, Wyomissing.
Reading Public Museum collection. Ron Sloto photograph.


MAGNETITE
from the Grace Mine, New Morgan.
Steve Carter (Pennminerals.com) collection.
Ron Sloto photograph.


MAGNETITE
from the Grace Mine, New Morgan.
Ron Sloto collection and photograph.


MALACHITE
from the Jones Mine, Caernarvon Township.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History Brookmeyer collection.
Ron Sloto photograph.


MALACHITE
from the Jones Mine, Caernarvon Township.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History Brookmeyer collection.
Ron Sloto photograph.

mesolite
MESOLITE
from the Fritz Island Mine, Cumru Township.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History Philadelphia Academy collection.
Ron Sloto photograph.

molybadam
MOLYBDENITE
Antietam Dam,
Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania


NATROLITE
from the Dyer Trap Rock Quarry, Birdsboro.
Ron Sloto collection and photograph.


OPAL
from the Dyer Gibraltar Quarry, Robeson Township.
Ron Sloto collection and photograph.


PREHNITE
from the Dyer Gibraltar Quarry, Robeson Township.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History Brookmeyer collection.
Ron Sloto photograph.


PREHNITE
from the Dyer Gibraltar Quarry, Robeson Township.
Ron Sloto collection and photograph.


PYRITE
from the Boyertown mines, Boyertown.
Ron Sloto collection and photograph.

References, Guides & More

The book by Ron Sloto is also available on amazon. Reference books are just as important in rock / mineral / fossil hobby as the rock specimens themselves. They offer insight on the history of the location as well as other specimens found in the area. The Berks Mineralogical Society uses these guides for researching locations and identifying rocks and gems, mineral, etc found in PA. If the club is to visit a site mentioned in the books, the club makes sure that it has proper permission to visit that site. The following section shows reference resources that have the latest information and are available online and through bookstores.

rockhounding delaware maryland and the washington dc area by robert beard

ROCKHOUNDING DELAWARE, MARYLAND AND THE WASHINGTON, DC METRO AREA

“With this informative guide, you can explore the mineral-rich areas’ of Delaware, Maryland, and Washington D.C., from the beaches to the mountains. It describes the areas’ best rockhounding sites and covers popular and commercial sites as well as numerous little-known areas. This handy guide also describes how to collect specimens, includes maps and directions to each site, and lists rockhound clubs. Rockhounding Delaware, Maryland, and Washington D.C. offers a complete introduction to this many-faceted hobby and is an invaluable sourcebook.”

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mineral collect pa

MINERAL COLLECTING IN PENNSYLVANIA

“This book was written with both the novice and the more advanced collector in mind. Localities were selected on the basis of abundance and variety of minerals that can be found there today. In addition, emphasis was placed on including as many different types of occurrences as possible so as to give the collector both geographic and geologic diversity. Brief geological summaries are given for each locality which provide useful information concerning the variety of rock types present, the origin of the various minerals and even some clues as to possible additional minerals which may be present but have not been recognized from that specific locality.”

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the mineralogy of pennsylvania by samuel g gordon

THE MINERALOGY OF PENNSYLVANIA

“This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.”

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fossil collecting in pensylvania

FOSSIL COLLECTING IN PENNSYLVANIA

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the mines and minerals of berks county pennsylvania by ronald a sloto

THE MINES AND MINERALS OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

“Berks County, Pennsylvania, is the home of many famous and world-class mineral localities — the Jones Mine, Fritz Island Mine, and Grace Mine — to name just a few. This new book pulls together over 200 years of mining and mineral history under one cover. It is richly illustrated with 653 figures — old and new photographs, old maps, mine surface plans and cross sections, and photographs of minerals from museum, university, and private collections. Many of the old photographs have never been published before. An extensive bibliography is included. The Mines and Minerals of Berks County, Pennsylvania describes over 500 mines, quarries, and mineral localities. It includes the known history of each mine and locality and a list of reported minerals. Their locations are shown on a set of USGS topographic maps. Because many of the mines had several names over the course of their history, a comprehensive cross-index is provided.”

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rockhounding pennsylvania and new jersey by robert beard

ROCKHOUNDING PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW JERSEY

“With this informative guide, you can explore the mineral-rich regions of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, from the beaches to the mountains. It describes the states’ best rockhounding sites and covers popular and commercial sites as well as numerous little-known areas. This handy guide also describes how to collect specimens, includes maps and directions to each site, and lists rockhound clubs in each the state. Rockhounding Pennsylvania and New Jersey offers a complete introduction to this many-faceted hobby and is an invaluable sourcebook.”

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gem trails snow

GEM TRAILS OF PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW JERSEY

“Revised and updated, Gem Trails of Pennsylvania and New Jersey is the essential guide for veteran and new collectors alike. Follow gem trails to beautiful agate, jasper, galena, pyrite, quartz crystals, fossils, and much more! The authors become your personal guides to unearthing the beautiful geologic treasures found Throughout the best sites in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Sites are presented with directions, rockhounding tips, descriptive text, maps, and numerous black and white photos. Rocks, minerals, and fossils found at the ends of the gem trails are pictured in full-color to aid in identification”

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