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Crabtree Emerald Mine Updated May
14th, 2023
In process of Updating |
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We had several excellent tours to the Crabtree Emerald Mine. Crabtreee provides a more difficult challenge than the Sink Hole Mine in finding good specimens but it can be done. Almost everyone found some emerald. You can sign the required forms, pay the fees, and get directions to the mine from either the MAGMA (Mountain Area Gem and Mineral Association) website which manages collecting at the mine or at the Emerald Village shop next to the Bon Ami Feldspar Mine. |
Crabtree Pegmatite
 There
is some mica and quartz in the Crabtree
pegmatite
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 But
most of the rock consists of feldspar and
black tourmaline
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There are three ways to find Emerald at Crabtree
1. Digging: Dig up soil and rocks, use a screen to
eliminate the soil, rinse with water to expose any
Emerald crystals. I am not a "digger", so can't offer
any suggestions on how to use this method
successfully!
2. Breaking rocks that have the Crabtree matrix (Hardrock Method):
These samples were
found by using the "Hardrock Method"2. Breaking rocks that have the Crabtree matrix (Hardrock Method):
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Th
I found this exceptional find of small Emerald crystals in the Crabtree matrix in August 2014 using the "hard rock method" |
3. Searching the Gravel: There are several
locations on the tailings where the surface is gravel.
Searching the gravel either visually or by using a
sieve to inspect the gravel can result in finding some
small emeralds in crabtree matrix and various beryl
crystals.
Other Minerals Commonly
Found at the Crabtree Emerald Mine |
Spectacular
find by searching through the
tailings Gravel.
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I was still unloading my Bo's Mine Tours Isuzu Rodeo truck at the start of our tour when this young lady on the right brought me this spectacular 4ct Emerald crystal she had just found in the gravel. I received many requests for a tour of Crabtree when I posted this picture on the left on my Bo's Mine Tours website, |
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 Common grassy green Beryl crystals |
 Golden Beryl in
Feldspar
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 pink Thulite in
Feldspar
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 Black tourmaline
crystals in Feldspar
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 Upper right part of
wood frame mine entrance can be seen if the lake
water is clear
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 Typical
tour group
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 View
of mine tailings from the road
(The lake and mine entrance is behind you) |
Crabtree Emerald Matrix Jewelry
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I made this Crabtree Emerald cabochon. A good friend of mine, Anita Lawson, made the silver wire wrap. I have it for sale on my Bo's Jewelry Website for $400. If you are interested in purchasing it, send me an email at bo_smith@bellsouth.net and I will give you a 10% discount and free shipping if you mention the code word "Crabtree" Superior Quality Crabtree Emerald matrix Cabochon size: 45mm X 28mm X 8mm Features numerous emerald crystals including one 6 x 6 crystal and several black tourmaline crystals |
Website and images by Robert S "Bo" Smith