Chapter 3, page 1 As times change, collecting areas come and go. Many of the collecting areas from our college days are shut down. Some were closed due to federal regulations, others were closed for insurance reasons. Here are some of the historic sites, as well as others where you can still collect. We'll post current status of collecting at the top of the articles. Let us know if you have news of any changes. Famous for solution quartz, the quarry was a source of stone for the local interstate. The pits filled with water and now it is closed. Page 2 Now a ghost town, Rush was a booming lead and zinc mine in the early 1900's. It is in the beautiful Buffalo National River country of north Arkansas. The underground mines are not considered safe, and all of the mines on public land are closed. Page 3. Early settlers noticed when they tried to survey their land, their compasses would go around in circles. Home of magnetite and many other minerals, this area is a geologic anomaly. Page 4. The only place in the world where you can hunt for diamonds, and keep what you find. Amid controversy of the area's value for commercial diamonds, you can still play finders keepers. Page 5. Granite Mountain It's really syenite, but some of the most unusual findings in minerals have come from these quarries in Little Rock. Page 6. Maps of selected Arkansas mineral collecting localities where you may collect. Page 7 (See also Fee pay quartz mines) Where are the best collecting sites? We'd like your feedback, good, bad and otherwise. We'll put collector's email testimonials for you to read. Best Sites Ch 3, page 1 Contact the authors of Rockhounding Arkansas Revised July 1998 © Rockhounding Arkansas 1998 http://rockhoundingAR.com