Customer Reviews

Gem Trails of Pennsylvania and New Jersey

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

All in all this book has helped me collect many nice specimens although you have to be careful with some of the sites. The provided directions tend to me vague or wrong and some of the locations listed are just plain worthless. One site, hellertown jasper consists of a trickle of water running through a golf course, with an area about 100ft long that is not fenced off. You get to wade in the stream grabbing very low quality material as the golfers ride by in their carts laughing at you. Some of the sites however, make the book worthwhile, such as the buckwheat dump, big brook, wissahickon garnets, etc. If you go on a long trip that turns out to be a wild goose chase don't say I didnt warn you.

Excellent description of fossil and mineral sites in PA and NJ. I found the maps to be clear, and the site descriptions to be very helpful. Also, here are several sites listed, with pretty good distribution over various parts of PA. Not a lot of information or illustrations about the samples one might hope to find, but generally a VERY good handbook for specific sites in this region. Well worth the price.

I attended a rock and mineral show with my kids and saw a sign promoting a "2011 Revised Edition" of this book. Other web sites suggest things like "Expected Jan 2011". I have the 2000 edition and it's a bit dated, a revision is certainly warranted. Where is it? Otherwise this is a great book for PA rock hunters.

Most helpful for the resident of or visitor to New Jersey who wants to get below nature's surface.