Big Brook Trip
August Fossil Collecting in the Big Brook Preserve, Colts Neck, NJ
Our club held a field trip to the Big Brook Preserve and the Ramanessin Creek Preserve in Colts Neck, NJ on August 26 & 27 where everyone can easily find all kinds of marine fossils in the shallow stream beds that cut through the flat, sandy & clay soils. The area is easily the most popular fossil collecting area in the tri-state region.
Wonderfully detailed information on the area and labeled photographs can be found at http://www.njfossils.net/
My husband and
I, along with fellow member Bill Quinn, had a great time strolling
through the clear, cool, calf-deep and bug-free streams, sifting the
gravel in the bottom of the streams along the Big Brook and Ramanessin
Creek. We also somehow missed meeting up with our friend & fellow
member, Atilio Ciucci, who found some nice fossils on his own.
Unfortunately, many members could not attend the field trip for a
variety of reasons. The preserve is run by the county who was wise
enough to provide a clean porta potty, trash cans and free parking for
all visitors.
After parking, we walked the well-beaten path to the
stream. Here and there we saw steep and not-so-steep cut offs from the
path down to the water.
While searching, we saw people and children of all ages, some with dogs, hunting in the brook for the famous fossils. All kinds of tools were used: hand shovels, folding army-type shovels, sifting screens, colanders, tea strainers, sand toy sifters, etc. No matter what tools were used, everyone found something.
I personally found most of my fossils in the lee areas against fallen trees than in the middle of the streams or in/on the gravel banks this time. To imagine what I mean, think about fishing a stream. Big fish lie in wait behind rocks or logs watching for food to flow past them.
We
found some things (see the photos) but I think that the long drought
affected the collecting this year. You see, when it rains, the brooks
fill up with rushing water and flush more fossils out into the
streambed. This summer’s lack of rain probably meant that the brook
beds, scoured by countless collectors, were mostly picked over by the
end of the summer, especially the beds closest to the parking lot. We
did, however, have a grand time and would love to go back after the
winter.
Deb & Bob Hoppe
Faceting Demo by Justin K. Prim
July 2022
What a GREAT DAY!! Our own private lesson with Justin Prim... aided by Victoria and Milo!! Can't wait to get everyone faceting!!!
Visit Justin’s YouTube channel at https://m.youtube.com/c/JustinKPrim/videos to learn more about Justin and to see what faceting is all about.
Watch the Video
We're Back Live!
Our "Each One Teach One philosophy of the club was in full bloom today! Cris brought in her beautiful 'cab haul' and some wire and before long, everyone was making them! Thank you Cris!!
Zoom Dragonfly / Butterfly Workshop
Zoom Tree of Life Workshop
Casting Workshop
Cloisonné Enameling Workshop
Members at Work
Our Machinery
 Wax Carving Studio |
 Wax bezel making |
 Amethyst with wax Bezel ready for mold work. |
 Detailed wax carving with Folcrom machine |
 Drill Press |
 Cabochon Machines |
 Lapidary Machine |
 Weekly Workshop - where the magic happens |
Event Photos
Micromineral Presentation
Joe's Wire Wrap Workshop
Scrimshaw Workshop
ChainMaille Workshop
Club and Demonstration tables at Island Rockhounds Show @ Old Bethpage Restoration Village
Nassau Mineral Club covered two exhibit tables with mineral and
fossil specimens and beautiful samples of artistic handiwork crafted by its
members. Joe A., Leona K., Jim S., Rosemarie W., Diane A., Maria V. and June
M. were on hand to invite visitors to look over the wide range of things we
do at the club. Twenty people signed up to be notified about future
workshops or arrange a future visit to NMC – an encouraging sign. Leona made “teachable moment” handouts with mounted mineral
samples and other science related materials for middle school children. They
disappeared as quickly as she put them out! Joe brought a collection of
meteorites, amber, fossils and florescent stones which he used to capture
the curiosity of children and adults alike. Kids especially enjoyed
searching for insects millions of years old still stuck in amber. Their
parents were awed by the density of his stony iron samples from outer space
and his captivating accounts of meteorite discoveries.
