We Went Crystal Digging
Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Jet, OK -The Salt Plains are a flat expanse of mud, completely devoid of vegetation, located in north central Oklahoma. The name, Salt Plains, is derived from the thin layer of salt that covers the flats. This salt was used by Native American tribes and early pioneers who first settled the area. The plains are 7 miles in length and approximately 3 miles wide and lie within the boundaries of the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge.
Selenite is a crystallized form of gypsum. Chemically, it is a hydrous calcium sulfate. Gypsum is a common mineral that takes on a great variety of crystal forms and shapes. On the Salt Plains, the crystals are formed just below the salt encrusted surface. They are seldom found deeper than 2 feet below the surface.
Crystals take on the characteristics of their environment; the finer the soil, the more clear the crystals. Iron oxide in the soil gives the crystals their chocolate brown color. Single crystals, penetration twins, and clusters are the typical crystal shapes most frequently encountered on the refuge. Exceptional individual crystals measuring up to 7 inches long have been found, along with complex combinations weighing as much as 38 pounds.
See the Salt Plains coming up. This is the
only place in the world that creates these crystals.
They have the driving area marked off out to the
dig area. For More Crystal Dig pictures check here �
posted by Ann at
7:39 PM
3 Comments:
We have always wanted to go and dig some of the minerals we saw on a TV show a few years ago. There are places to dig rubies, emeralds, copper, etc...I would have loved this! You got some BIG ones!!! They are supposed to bring you luck, you know!
This looks like a really cool place, nice pictures, and a great family activity. Sounds like you had a good time!!
I bet kids love to dig for treasure like that! The only pretty rocks I have were bought at museums.
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