Fort Drum Crystal Mine (Rucks Pit) - Fort Drum, FL
N 27° 30.962 W 080° 45.698
17R E 523540 N 3043615
Fort Drum Crystal Mine (formerly Rucks Pit) is located in Fort Drum, Florida, USA. Although the "Pit" itself is closed, the owner continues to mine the area for calcite crystals and fossils for tourists and rockhounds.
Waymark Code: WM40X7
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 06/20/2008
Views: 171
Initially, when Rucks Pit was first active, it was being worked primarily for limerock used for road base material. However, the stratigraphic zone that was being mined for aggregate turned out to be rich with golden calcite crystals. After the closure of the old Rucks Pit, it began its new incarnation as the Fort Drum Crystal Mine (also known as Rucks RV Resort & Crystal Mine).
From the
Rockhounding Florida website: "Ruck’s Pit (Fort Drum Crystal Mine) is located in Fort Drum Florida. This is the only location where you can find calcified marine clam shells in the world! Unfortunately, the pit itself is now closed to public collecting. However, Eddie Rucks still brings up piles of material to dig through and some excellent clams can still be found. Ruck’s is open 7 days a week from 8am to 5pm and the fee is $30 per person per day. There is also a limit of one 5-gallon bucket and one matrix piece per person. Make sure you contact Eddie Rucks at 813-634-4579 to make sure he will be there to open the gate for you."
Some nice photos of previous calcite finds at Rucks Pit are available on the internet
(visit link).