Show page The fields of Topaz Mtn are unsurpassed Since gem and mineral collecting has become a popular hobby collectors spend thousands of days each year in the field and many of them are attracted to Topaz Mountain about an hour’s drive northwest of Delta The BLM estimates that among collecting localities worldwide there are few that attract more visitors than Topaz Mountain and the famed Topaz bowl in the south end of the Thomas Range Here even the beginning collector can find specimens of gem quality topaz A few localities offer the collector an opportunity to collect a gem but this one ofers a bonus of specimens for the mineral collector as well Topaz can be found in crystals suitable for faceting into valuable gem stones mountain in jewelry as they naturally occur or suitable as exotic mineral which are much sought after specimens In by even advanced mineral collectors providing such booty the mountain does not stop there It can also be coaxed into ingiving up crystals of rare minerals cluding red beryl bixbyite and pseudobrookite all three in better quality and size than those from almost any other locality in the world Topaz was first discovered in the topaz Mountain area in the late 1800’s The other minerals were discovered soon after that Discoveries of red beryl and bixbyite were pioneered by Maynard Bixby a Salt Lake City collector His discovery of red beryl was the first time that mineral had been discovered with a red color and his discovery of that mineral which was later named for him Since the discovery of these minerals collectors have been going to Topaz Mountain in ever increasing numbers With the boom in the popularity of rockhounding and gem and mineral collection in the last decade this locality has become the most popular in the world During all the seasons of the year collectors can be found at Topaz Mountain More than 300 cars trucks and campers can be found in the main area on the south side of the mountain on some weekends in the spring Of all the minerals topaz is the most sought after because of its size beauty and gem quality Topaz is an aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide that crystalizes At Topaz in the orthorhombic system Mountain crystals up to two inches long of which can be found about Topaz Mountain Rockhounding Area Thomas Range Utah ' ' BLM r V Saddle ' Comet B'rypuhvt: (Top" : Topax Beryl Carnet 'd ''Topol' offices for additional information about local opportunities and possible restrictions that may apply in special areas sx " Contact BLM UT W’4 40 crystals have been found Bixbyite black iron manganese oxide uncommon as sharply distinct crystals except at a few locations in the world At Topaz Mountain excellent cubic crystals to 25 inch are common The crystals are crystals on topaz but mostly larger crystals can be found by a persis- more than is tent collector topaz or on A rare These black cubes occur on the rhyolite matrix oxide iron titanium pseudobrookite occurs with the other minerals at Topaz Mountain It forms crystals often in clusters long that radiate from a common point The are common to 5 inch long crystals These black submetallic crystals found on the white rhyolite matrix are quite showy Garnets are uncommon in the Topaz Mountain area but they occur as sharp distinct crystals with some frequency to 25 inch and rarely to 15 inches Most often the larger crystals are irregular poorly formed Fluorite calcium fluoride common It occurs as purple are comprised of is locally crusts that It cubes coats the rhyolite and serves as the base for other minerals Quartz is very common as colorless to blue crystals less than 25 inch long The crystals coat most cavities and form the background for the other minerals Although the various minerals occur throughout the Thomas Range the best collecting area is in the large bowl on the south sides of Topaz Mountain known as Topaz Bowl Topaz occurs in several areas on the east and west sides of the valleys The southernmost of three pits on the west side produces some of the largest and best crystals although a knob of rh' ''te in the center of the valley also proQuv s large crystals Red beryl occurs in the northernmost on the west side and in the steep cliffs the east side The beryl crystals are pit on often perched on topaz Bixbyite is most abundant in the center pit on the west side Small crystals of topaz are most common but a few to 25 inch have been found On the east side of the valley crystals to 25 inch occur with topaz and red beryl years at 84631 Box 778 or Fillmore (801) in Two areas produce abundance One is in the north central part of the alley and the other is on the west side just north of the northern pit At both locations fine clusters of crystals can be collected A few fine garnet crystals can be found in the northeastern part of the valley Large poorly shaped crystals occur with the topaz at the knob in the center of the valley The finest crystals are at Garnet Basin west of Topaz Valley To maintain the collecting area at Topaz Mountain BLM has designated it a Rockhounding Area Mining claim location and the use of power tools is prohibited This area is readily accessible by paved road from Delta but offers no water or other facilities For those rockhounds and collectors who are interested in an exciting trip to obtain some beautiful gem quality topaz crystals and other minerals go to Topaz Mountain or the Wah Wah and Needle These are all excellent areas for Ranges and for spending a few days collecting camping and relaxing —Information of the crystal gem quality They ocloose or on as singles or in clusters matrix Crystals to three inches have been found on a mining claim several miles Quite popular with collectors are the small red beryl crystals Although beryl a beryllium aluminum silicate is common crystals with a red color are rare in the Only two deposits are known world the Topaz Mountain occurrence and the Wah Wah Mountain occurrence to the south in Beaver County The red crystals are uncommon at Topaz Mountain where they occur as hexagonal tablets of a dark pink to red color rarely over 25 inch across They occur in cavities often attached to topaz Generally a cavity will contain only one crystal but a few cavities containing Rock and gem hunting is recognized as a legitimate recreational use of public lands administered by BLM and with few exceptions these lands are open to rock and gem collecting To those collecting in unfamiliar areas the BLM suggests they contact local BLM Topaz Peuo6rookifw are several supports rockhounders Mountain supplied bp BLM Camping Equipment cur north of Topaz Mountain Clear gem quality crystals have an amber to dark sherry color Unfortunately the color fades in sunlight to colorless In room light the color will remain for 3 Exercise Equipment Childrens’ Play Sets Gun Cabinets Swim Suits Footwear Bicycles Pool Tables Tires Auto & Boat Accessories Sports Clothes 235 W xxxxxxxxxyyxxxvxvxxxuvvxxxxvxyyvvgv lsl V Della Hrs: Sal 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