MINING New Jersey
Rock&Gem Magazine|May 2023
The History of the Franklin & Sterling Hill Mines
PAT RAIA
MINING New Jersey

In the 19th century, immigrants from Russia, Ireland, Hungary and Poland flocked to Franklin, New Jersey to coax zinc, iron and manganese out of the earth in the mine there. These days, the mine is long played out, but the place where it was located is still a draw for a range of visitors from the curious to serious geologists.

"I have all types of people visiting the shop, from beginners to novice to high-end collectors and dealers and people who are just curious about Franklin minerals," says Ted Bayles, proprietor of Franklin Mineral Rock and History, LLC on Main Street in Franklin, New Jersey. "People who come in the store are split half between locals and half those from around the country, and I have had people from Germany and China, one gentleman from Greenland plus a lot of geologists from museums in New York and around the country."

So what's the draw? History, mainly, says Bayles and a desire to study what's been buried in the earth.

FROM THE BEGINNING 

The mining industry in Sussex County New Jersey began as long ago as the 1630s when the Sterling Hill Mine in Ogdensburg was established by a land grant from King George III to William Lord Sterling Alexander because it was thought to contain an extensive copper deposit. Its twin site, The Franklin Mine site was discovered in 1750 as part of the Franklin-Sterling Hill Mining District.

By 1765, Sterling sold the mine to Robert Ogden. Thereafter it was found to contain 357 types of minerals including Franklinite, found nowhere else, as well as zinc silicate and zinc oxide; none of which was commercially mined anywhere else in the world. Esperite, clinohedrite, hardystonite as well as johnbaumite and mcgovernite were also found there.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2023-Ausgabe von Rock&Gem Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2023-Ausgabe von Rock&Gem Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS ROCK&GEM MAGAZINEAlle anzeigen
This News is for the Birds
Rock&Gem Magazine

This News is for the Birds

The amazing range of the would-be birds!

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
CALIFORNIA MAGNESITE PLASMA AGATE
Rock&Gem Magazine

CALIFORNIA MAGNESITE PLASMA AGATE

California magnesite plasma agate is a kaleidoscope of minerals. Much like its neighbor from Clear Creek, it contains chalcedony, serpentine, jadeite and chromite.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024
HOW TO CREATE A CABBING MATERIAL
Rock&Gem Magazine

HOW TO CREATE A CABBING MATERIAL

Even though Mother Nature creates almost unbounded types and numbers of beautiful materials for cabbing, often I struggle to find a slab that will work for the project that I want to do.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
July 2024
PINWHEEL - VIET GEMS 149
Rock&Gem Magazine

PINWHEEL - VIET GEMS 149

I am frequently asked what my favorite gemstone designs are and where to find them. After my trip to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, I updated my list of favorites to include gemstone designer, Phan Thanh Trung.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
Copper Minerals: My Favorite
Rock&Gem Magazine

Copper Minerals: My Favorite

I have lived in the “Copper State” of Arizona for 65 years so it should not surprise readers that copper minerals are among my favorites to collect.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July 2024
OPPENHEIMER, TRINITY SITE AND TRINITITE
Rock&Gem Magazine

OPPENHEIMER, TRINITY SITE AND TRINITITE

The widely acclaimed, 2023 Hollywood biographical movie Oppenheimer recently won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor (Cillian Murphy).

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024
Clearing ,Smudging & Setting Intentions for Stones
Rock&Gem Magazine

Clearing ,Smudging & Setting Intentions for Stones

Why do you believe what you believe? Are your beliefs true because you choose to believe them? Whether it is religion, science or the metaphysical, your belief and faith make it real to you in mind, body and soul.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
July 2024
Rhode Island's Hobbit Stone Age
Rock&Gem Magazine

Rhode Island's Hobbit Stone Age

Rhode Island may be 22nd out of 30 states in miles of total coastline but when you compare coastline length to land acres, it ranks second only to Maryland.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July 2024
Black Range Amethyst
Rock&Gem Magazine

Black Range Amethyst

Amethyst in Southwest New Mexico

time-read
7 Minuten  |
July 2024
EQUINE Bling!
Rock&Gem Magazine

EQUINE Bling!

How an Oklahoma Saddle Maker Uses Moissanite, Gold, Silver Turquoise tc to Adorn Saddles Jewelry

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July 2024