Real Talk!

I confess, I am a rockhound... it's really no secret, I've talked about it in past blogs. Rockhounding is recreational... sort of amateur geology, involving the study and hobby of collecting rocks and mineral specimens from their natural environment

Armed with a geologist's hammer (which has pick-like point on one end, and a flat hammer on the other),a chisel, goggles, bug spray, tissue paper and other assorted tools in my special rock collecting satchel, I love to spend time picking away in the field.

Truthfully, I find myself rockhounding, everywhere I go. I can't help it- rocks appeal to me. Some days, a gal just has to plan a drive &/or a hike and go hunting for a specific specimen- and yet, most days spent outside are opportunities to come upon something unique- especially in and around Bancroft.

Some sources identify the Bancroft area (roughly a 60 mile radius around the town) as being one of only two locations (the other is in Siberia) around which one can find as high as 94 per cent of the those minerals known to exist on the planet. Other sources speak of over 1600 different species of minerals having been identified in the area.

No doubt about it, this is an area of vast geological diversity that has been created by numerous geological processes; like: plutonic intrusions, long periods of erosion, sedimentation, volcanic and metamorphic activity, venting and fissure filling- the result is a complex variety of rocks and minerals and specimens of excellent quality.

The Princess Sodalite Mine is one of the most interesting sites, it is known for Sodalite, a mineral that is a rich colour of blue. A quantity of sodalite was sent to Denmark from Greenland during the Napoleonic Wars. It was captured by the British, however, and examined by a Glasgow chemist, Professor Thomas Thomson, who named it after its sodium content. The Bancroft area sodalite is known as "Princess Blue" and there are various version of the story- the most popular being that when the Prince and Princess of Wales (Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and later King George V and Queen Mary)visited the area in 1901, they were presented with a piece of Sodalite- smitten, the Princess later arranged to have a large quanity shipped to England for the decoration of Marlborough House.

Alomite, Canadian Lapis, Canadian Bluestone and Princess Blue are names sometimes applied to sodalite from Bancroft, Ontario, Canada. Bancroft is the only area known to have specimens of purple sodalite.

Sodalite is thought to have some very special healing properties- it is said to soothe and calm, to clear the mind and enhance logic, wisdom and creativity. It is connected to the the throat and third eye chakras and is said to relate to the moon and Saggitarius in the zodiac.

Sodalite is believed to combat radiation damage by soaking up electromagnetic smog. This mineral is also said to cure insomnia, reduce fever, calm panic attacks and lower blood pressure. It may also be used to boost the immune system, balance metabolism and treat calcium deficiencies.

Those interested in learning more about rockhounding or about rocks, minerals, gemstones and fossils should plan to visit Bancroft from July 28 to 31- for the 48th annual Rockhound Gemboree where there will be over a hundred dealers of specimens/jewelery/tools/supplies, educational talks, demonstrations from experts and other related activities. This event draws aficionados from around the globe!