Basin and Cleavage Pockets

Basin and Cleavage Pockets

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A large number and variety of crystals were found in the bottom or basin of this pocket. Unfortunately, they were all loose and probably floated down from above and just collected in the basin.

As you can see the pocket appears to be long with good color working its way down to the bottom or basin.

Early in the cleaning out process - lots of mud and dirt.

Some large well-formed smoky quartz and amazonite remain intact in the basin or bottom of the pocket.

Basin pocket:

Cleavage pocket:

In the top portion of the lower section of the crystal dome is another river like formation of crystals stemming from two large rocks with large amounts of amazonite in both. Hence the name Cleavage Pocket.

Looking downhill.

Still requiring much cleaning by me and mother nature more goodies are to be found.

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In 2014 when excavating the most southern portion of the crystal dome two interesting pockets emerged. The Basin Pocket looked as if it had formed at the end of river of nicely colored and well formed amazonite that was still imbedded in the granite monolith. The bottom of the pocket has an interesting group of imbedded crystals there, but also had a good number of loose well formed crystals which were removed for display. The Cleavage Pocket displayed a number of imbedded large amazonite crystals that formed on the two sides and bottom. The current theory is that the Topaz also came from this area.

Amazonite crystals with very good color.

Small well formed Smoky Quartz

Two nice Smoky Quartz that grew together.

Amazonite with attached Cleavelandite

Smoky Quartz

Smoky Quartz Dauphine Twin

Amazonite twin with good color.