Morefield Gem Mine

Morefield Gem Mine
Contact: Sam or Sharon Dunaway
Phone: (804) 561-0344 Fax: (804) 561-4799
Address: 13400 Butlers Road - Amelia, Virginia 23002

Exhibits & Gift Shop
Collecting From Mine Dumps (bring your own bucket or container)
Outcrop Digging - for the advanced collector
Sluice Screening - screens and shovels available
Picnicing - Bring your own soda - No Machines
Restrooms

The Morefield Mine is a highly mineralized pegmatite dike having a length of 2,000 feet and a depth of 300 feet. It produces over 70 different minerals, with more new ones being discovered. The mine produces mica, feldspar, beryl, phenakite for a few popular ones. It produces minerals of the tantalum/columbite series too.

Customers love finding topaz and garnets especially. The children's favorite would be the purple amethyst. The microcrystals are popular with the collectors of micromounts, also.

The Morefield is world-famous for the Amazonite, and more can be found on the ground here, than anywhere in the U.S.A.

Morefield Mine was discovered in 1929, and has been mined by various owners. In the 1940's the U.S. Bureau of Mines was mining there, because of WWII.

Sam & Sharon Dunaway moved from Anchorage, Alaska to acquire the mine in 1996. They have started a new 60 foot level, and discovered a large vug with crystals in July 2006. The 45 foot level of the mine is finished and has been popular for rugged tours.

You may also visit the Morefield Mine collection and exhibit

at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC.
National Museum of Natural History

2010 Spring Schedule

March 23, 2010 until May 13, 2010

Limited reservations only.

` Schools (Public, Private or all Religions Welcome)

Groups of 50 or more persons will get a group discount only.

Closed on Sundays.

Teachers = Please call Sharon at (804) 561-0344 or fax to Sharon at (804) 561-4799

to make your reservations. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Homeschools or other small groups of any kind may come to the mine on Tuesday or Wednesday

in the month of April by reservations only.

Please call Sharon at (804) 561-0344 or fax to Sharon at (804) 561-4799

Notice to the public, if opening at all on Saturdays this spring

will have to check back on this site on or after April 1, 2010

Giftshop & Museum close at 5:00 pm

*** Will be closed for the summer season 2010 ***

Fees

Free Picnic Areas to use.

Admissions

Age 3 and under are free.

Age 4 and thru Grade 2 = $7.00

Grade 3 thru Grade 6 = $8.00

Grade 7 and thru High School = $10.00

Adults, including seniors = $12.00
For groups of 50 or more = 20% discount

Admission fees include up to one five-gallon bucket of rocks per person.

So bring your own bucket or pail.
Wear sturdy footwear to the mine, if you are going to go into a area for digging, for safety.

(Flip-Flops or Sandals not allowed)

Photographs