BUNCOMBE COUNTY

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BLACK MOUNTAIN KYANITE Kyanite, muscovite and quartz (click on a pictures to enlarge) Kyanite, muscovite and sapphire ATTENTION This site (listed on page 26 of my book) is now closed to all collecting. I have just been informed by a local property owner that "rockhounds" have been accessing his property to collect without permission. To make matters far worse, certain individuals had the gall to use a chainsaw to cut trails while others stole boards from a nearby construction site to lay down over wet areas and build small foot bridges. The complete disregard of common courtesy demonstrated by these individuals is unfortunate and perhaps a sign of the times. These types sully the reputation of all rockhounds and cause sites to be forever closed. Before these events, the owner was more than willing to allow rockhounds access to his property to collect. I can not stress enough the importance of obtaining permission to enter private property to rock collect. Too many collecting sites have been closed forever by angry landowners that became upset because negligent rock hounds chose to dig on their properties without permission. How would you react if you looked out your front window and saw someone digging a hole in your front lawn? YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION TO ACCESS ANY SITE LOCATED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. PLEASE GET PERMISSION BEFORE YOU ENTER AND DIG! GOLDSMITH MINE Goldsmith Mine cut with dunite in upper right (click on pictures to enlarge) Chromite in dunite Chalcedony in weathered feldspar I made the following cabochon from moonstone collected at this mine (cab picture does not enlarge): Attention: The Goldsmith Mine property changed ownership in 2013 and therefore may no longer be accessible to rockhounds. While the former owner did not have a problem with rockhounds accessing her property, I do not know about the new owner's wishes, so permission must be obtained before attempting to collect at this location.