THE BUCKNER PEGMATITE: PART II
POCKET FORMATION AND NATURE OF POCKETS FOUND
Pocket formation and mineral content of the pockets formed within pegmatites arising from the Buckner pegmatite also exhibited some new characteristics not previously found on the Smoky Hawk. The uppermost pegmatites within a depth of 15 feet branching from the Buckner pegmatite all held common, tan-colored microcline. Some of these pockets did have smoky quartz and fluorite associations, however they were largely composed of simple microcline. The fluorite are some of the best fluorites yet encountered on the Smoky Hawk. They exhibit uncharacteristically high luster and two or more color phases, generally colorless with light violet to purple zoning. A few appear to be later-stage growth on earlier crystallized green fluorite. One particularly large cavity, which held only tan microcline, but of curved habit, was sixteen feet in length by five feet in depth by three feet in height when excavated. To date, this has been the largest, single pocket encountered on the Smoky Hawk.
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| Huge microcline pocket on horizontal peg running from Buckner peg. | Note the large plates. No smokies though. | A small pocket in upper zone with fluorite and smoky just as found. | ||||
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| Washing. | Held in light, it's beautiful, completely purple with smokies. | Unusual fluorite from upper zone showing three colors and different generations. | ||||
The next series of pegmatites at approximately 25 feet depth consisted of several common tan-colored microcline pockets originating in one pegmatite and several richly colored amazonite pockets in combination with smoky quartz in another pegmatite, both within a few inches of each other. These pockets also contained the best goethite specimens yet found. Every pocket at approximately this same horizon contained superbly crystallized goethite sprays, many exhibiting two and three generation growth phases. These pockets also contained some fine examples of goethite included quartz, locally referred to as onegite. Some of the onegites are citrine whereas others are amethyst. We also discovered a single pocket with smoky quartz on amazonite in which the smoky quartz are capped by goethite sprays with onegite rings around the bottom of the goethite. In addition to the goethite on quartz, there are some specimens of goethite on amazonite and goethite on purple fluorite. Although there is some hematite forming crystallized columns, frequently in the center or near the centers of the goethite sprays, it appears that iron from the pocket zones above was dissolved and then crystallized into the fine goethite sprays lining the pockets below. Pockets below this horizon did not show appreciable quantities of goethite although pseudomorphs of goethite after a carbonate were sometimes encountered.
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| At least six pockets were exposed all in the same horizon exhibiting goethite, hence the name, "goethite zone." | Very delicate goethite capping smoky quartz. | A combination pocket more or less completely filled with goethite. | ||||
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| These must have open space in which to crystallize or there are no blades. | Note the fluorite cube covered with goethite. | "Dagwood." Goethite on smoky with goethite psuedomorph. | ||||
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| Opening the "club" pocket. | Not big, but chock full of specimens. | Smoky quartz with onegite and two generations of goethite "club." | ||||
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| Another pocket filled with goethite capping amazonite and smoky quartz. | A fuzzy group. Trouble with "Tribbles." | Notice the onegite halo around the bottom of the goethite on the quartz. | ||||