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Rockhounding Welcome to a rockhounder's paradise! The highlands of Marquette County are a proven rock haven drawing collectors from all corners of the nation. Nearly two billion years ago, western Marquette County was believed to stand as high as the Alps. Geologists speculate that region may even have been as high as the present-day Himalaya Mountains, the tallest peaks in the world. Mineral country in unearthed in lands near Ishpeming, Negaunee, Republic, Champion ad Michigamme. Ishpeming is home to Jasper Knob, the world's largest gemstone composed completely of jaspilite, a beautiful banded jasper and specular hematite. Search a former iron ore dump for beautiful fragments of quartz containing tourmaline, hematite, and magnetite and many more different specimens. Near Marquette and Lake Superior, discover fine druses of goethite and agate. To view one of the nation's finest rock collections, visit the Cliffs Shaft Heritage Theme Park in Ishpeming...it's impressive! A smaller collection of regional minerals are on display at the Marquette LSCP office-501 S Front Street .And don't forget to
visit Da Yoopers Tourist Trap for a great outdoor display of regional
minerals and the Contact the Ishpeming Rock & Mineral Club for information about collecting sites, a list of their meetings or field trips. Call Ernie Johnson at 906-228-9422. They also host an annual Rock Show, Swap & Sale the first weekend of August at the Ishpeming Elks Lodge, near the Cliff's Shaft Museum. Don't miss it!
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