Cumberland Plateau agate - Sparta quarry
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Details: This is a quarry site, so permission is needed. For more details go to the Travel Channels Treasure Wiki for Tennessee page. It says: "General description: The Cumberland Plateau region of Tennessee is one of the nation's best keep secrets. Without a doubt, it is one of the most scenic areas in America. There are incredible state parks along its lengths through Tennessee, and has my favorite agates in the country. The state gemstone is Tennessee agate (A multi-colored agate with fortifications, plumes, moss, and eyes) I wrote an article with Dewey Moss in "Lapidary Journal" about these treasures. I have large collection and the very best pieces I plan on donating to a museum for others to enjoy. (See Alabama for the southern end of the plateau.)
Handy to bring along: 1. Pick & shovel 2. Gloves 3. Rock hammer 4. Safety glasses 5. Hard Hat if required by the quarry owners
Helpful notes to newcomers: Will Smith (Not the actor) is one of the most knowable rockhounds on Tennessee Agates. His website is filled with information on on these spectacular gems of the Cumberland. http://www.tnagate.com/gpage7.html He lists several classic sites; some are closed to collecting. These well known sites have been heavily worked but there are sites yet to be discovered. I have found great agates in places that are not widely know. As always if you hunt for these yet undiscovered sites get permission from the land owners. "
Directions: For directions go to the Travel Channels Treasure Wiki for Tennessee page. It says, "How to get there: The agate is found on the steep sides of the Cumberland Plateau near the interface of the Mississippian Limestone and the Pennsylvanian sandstone cap rock. Tennessee agate is a sedimentary agate formed in lenses in the limestone. It can be found weathered from the matrix or locked in the country rock. The agates are transported to the streams in the area. Two locations are in quarries owned by the Roger's Group. The company has allowed collecting by groups if the trip is approved in advance. http://www.rogersgroupinc.com/cgi-bin/RGI-locations_vis.pl One quarry is east of Pelham on HWY 50 on the side of the Plateau. The other is on HWY 70 at the town of Sparta. "
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GPS Coordinates (lat,long): ( 35°56'47.98"N, 85°30'24.68"W)
or (35.946661, -85.506855)
Google Map: (The GPS marker is supposed to be exact.)
Mindat Link: http://www.mindat.org/loc-130221.html
Tags: rogers group inc sparta tennessee cumberland plateau multi colored agate fortifications fortification plume plumes moss eyes agates
 Rock fossil near Sparta Tennessee Arthur D Cohen collection |
