This article was originally published by The-Vug.com in 2016.

7. The Dragon’s Mouth Pocket
Incredible find of Smoky Quartz and Amazonite Crystals from ColoradoBy: Joseph L. Dorris

The summer mining season of 2002 is shaping up to be a great season. Shaping up because of the five significant pockets we produced, most specimens are still in stages of preparation.

We began mining on Saturday, 27 July as soon as we were allowed back into the area after the Hayman fire The fire burned from 8 June until the 15th of July and the area was closed until late July. It burned through the Smoky Hawk Mine on 9 June, leaving mostly charred trees. For awhile we feared we wouldn’t get to mine at all, and I had begun wondering how we would accomplish our annual assessment work. We finally got word we could resume operations.

We had planned to sink another prospect on the Smoky Hawk Mine to determine if the previously discovered structure which produced the Green Ghost Pocket ran any deeper. The previous summer had showed good promise and a few specimens were produced. Even though we had good promise, Scott and Tim Pocket and the Green Ghost did not produce any quantity. Our experience, thus far, has been that a pocket produces a very few combination specimens, two to three at best, and many singles, and that’s it. Even the remarkable find by hand diggers a few years earlier had produced only one world-class combination specimen. Of course those are the pieces that make the news.

The entire area we were working had been completely hand dug anywhere from 3′ to 12′ deep. We didn’t expect to find pockets near the surface, but we were hopeful the structures ran below the depth the hand diggers had reached.

With this in mind, we decided to take the backhoe about 50 yards down the hill below the previous prospect and begin working back towards it. This area was marked by a small prospect downhill of one of the trees bearing our claim notice. A year before I had hand dug down to a very resistant pegmatite in this area which had shown some good amazonite fragments.

Through a lot of careful and tricky maneuvering on the steep hill, we finally got the backhoe to the west of the dig and began work. We first had to pull out the downed timber which had been felled by undercutting from previous hand diggers. In places, the timber was three to four layers thick. After seeing the backhoe down in what appeared a hopeless tangle of timber and hand-dug pits, I worried that we’d get it stuck. Jack, my operator, exclaimed, “There ain’t a place I can drive this into, I can’t eventually dig my way back out. You just tell me where you want it, Joe.”

In no time Jack was turning over chunks of pegmatite about 1 1/2′ thick. The sign was exceptional. Any time he pulled a chunk over, we expected to see a cavity. Sometimes 3″ to 4″ inch long subhedral amazonite crystals would tumble out, and large somoky fragments with euhedral faces occasionally showed, but no pocket was to be. We dug nearly the entire day without hitting any good crystals. I filled several 5-gallon buckets with good colored fragments, but nothing was euhedral.

We did nick a small seam near the marker tree which produced beautifully colored euhedral amazonite crystals. We also nicked a small seam on the south side, the uphill side, of the cut which partially opened.

Throughout the 28th, I continued to work the backhoe to the west of the tree, the tree being on the east side of the growing pit. Scott and Tim began working the small pockets we had exposed on Saturday. The pockets were badly fractured, but the color was nearly unmatched by any previously found. The amazonites were small, but had excellent luster. This seam became eventually known as the Baby Dragon Pocket. None of the openings exceeded 6″, but the color from the hundreds of amazonite fragments was stunning. At times, it appeared as if green emeralds were spilling from the earth. Still, we had found nothing of size, nor were there any smokies to speak of. This was not going to pay for 13 solid hours of equipment and operator expenses.

By late afternoon a seam of coarse granite, approaching a true pegmatite structure, appeared across the length of the south face. It averaged about 3″ wide but no crystals appeared. It was a solid tan color with some occasional smoky chunks. If we did open a pocket, it looked as if it would be microcline. Common microcline was even less promising. As evening drew near, we had a pit about 8′ deep and we had mined through the coarse seam. Nothing but uniform, decomposing granite showed across the length of the face. We had now excavated uphill for about 15′ from the initial spot and extended the dig to the west another 15′. Additionally, the original pegmatite we had been breaking up was completely removed. We never did encounter pockets within it. Sunday evening as I examined the prospect, I was rather discouraged. No pegmatite structures were visible and nothing of real substance had been encountered. I reminded myself that the time it had taken to get to this point had eaten up most of my digging capital. I had enough cash remaining for a few more hours on Monday and that would be it. The night of July 28, I must admit, I went to bed rather discouraged, and not certain of how to proceed.

Opening the Baby Dragon	Many loose good colored amazonites
Very fine color	A combo revealed

DRAGON’S MOUTH DISCOVERY

On Monday, July 29, we arrived at the pit by 8 AM. Jack showed up shortly after. “This is the day, Joe, I can just feel it,” he greeted me cheerily. “Today you’re going to get a pocket of foot long smokies with six inch amazonites.” He always exaggerated what was possible, but he was always positive as well. I liked that about Jack.

The morning was chilly but it quickly warmed. We began work on the uphill face on the south side of the excavation. At least we had found some sign here. Because results had been meager, I had thought of filling the prospect and trying elsewhere, but too much good sign remained in this area.

We spent about 1 1/2 hours cleaning out the working area and trying to go deeper with the backhoe below the Baby Dragon Pocket area. I also had Jack work the backhoe lower down the hill and farther to the west. Again, we encountered the thick pegmatite we had ripped through 2 days earlier, but again, it was barren. Even the amazonite chunks had disappeared. I decided not to pursue it farther to the west even though it continued. We returned to the working face on the south side.

Within a half hour we had exposed another coarse seam in the working face. It looked identical to the one from the night before and looked just as barren. I didn’t get the least bit excited. I did marvel at how strong the structure appeared. It was just about 8′ below the surface and was about 6″ thick. It extended east and west for about 8′, dipping to the east. I watched as with each scoop of the backhoe a couple more inches were exposed. The deeper into the face we worked, the thicker and more coarse it became. Then I thought I noticed green. I worked out a few fragments of amazonite and coarse quartz. If it would open, it sure looked like it had the makings of a pocket.

After another cut, the chunks of pegmatite began peeling away from the wall, and I thought I could see blackness behind them. Tim jumped into the excavation to examine the pegmatite. He pulled several large red-stained chunks of pegmatite away and then turned around holding up an 8″ smoky quartz. Strewn about it were fragments of green amazonite. We had broken into a good-looking pocket!

Jack was off the backhoe to investigate with us as Scott and I crowded in behind Tim. The sight was incredible! Removing a few more chunks of pegmatite, we had indeed exposed a large cavity. Our initial impression was that it extended in for several feet and laterally for a couple more feet. We each took turns sticking our heads inside and gazing at what we had just discovered.

About 6″ of space opened above the rubble of the pocket contents, but you could tell that the pocket went in and up as well as down. We reached in a wire “pocket robber” about 18″ in. It sank in to the handle! Somebody brought a flashlight so we could explore more. It appeared the pocket dipped east as the opening disappeared in blackness downwards in this direction. It rose towards the west and rose towards the back of the pocket into the bank. What was most incredible were the smoky quartz crystals and amazonite crystals still attached to the ceiling. Never had we found or even heard of a pocket with intact ceiling plates!

We took turns examining the pocket in an atmosphere of near disbelief, awe, and stunned joy. The quality appeared to be very fine. Though covered in red and yellow iron staining, some amazonites glistened blue green, damp from the moisture in the pocket. The smokies, held to the sun, were gemmy, beer-bottle brown with the transmitted light. Otherwise they appeared jet black. Both minerals appeared to have good luster.

Tim brought down the collecting flats and tools to prepare for pocket excavation. To this point, all pieces were being returned to exactly where they were found inside the cavity. We just wanted to get a feel for the size and scope of the find. By my knowledge, by size, this was going to be one of the largest ever discovered in the district. We knew actual collecting could take a couple days. During the actual removal process, we’d carefully extract specimens in order they were found and mark the flats. This would enable us to later reconstruct pieces if we found good matrix plates.

A pocket appears to be opening within the pegmatite	A definite pocket going in at least 18″
Taking a peek	An incredible sight greated us

Now was time for the really scary part. We needed to remove rock and material from above, below, and to the sides of the pocket in order to work it. We stuffed the opening with newspaper and held our breaths as Jack began carefully removing the overburden and excavating around the pocket. Pulling down the overburden completely buried any indications. We all watched somehow wondering if what we had seen had been a dream and that now the pocket would simply disappear forever. A crazy thought, but when crystal digging, as long as the specimen is in sight, it can’t just get up and walk away. With the pocket covered in debris . . . well, maybe. Additionally, we had to work very carefully with the bucket. One slip and it could penetrate into the pocket or knock the ceiling plates down causing additional damage. Too much of the value rested in a perfect specimen. We held our breaths and watched in silence. When Jack finally nicked the newspapers, we immediately shut him down and hand dug out the rest to expose the pocket. It was still there. It was still as breathtaking as before!

I worked Jack another couple hours to finish cleaning out the excavation and to test the length of the pegmatite. In doing so we encountered large “boulders” on both sides and above the pocket. These “boulders” were actually large, rounded resistant nodules of granite. Occasionally some jointing appeared near them, but as near as I can ascertain, these hard spots just materialized in the granite. As we worked the bucket through the less resistant granite, the nodules took shape. The remarkable aspect, was the tendency of a pocket to occur near or beneath them.

Cavity stuffed with newspapers	Now it disappears
Carefully removing material	Notice the dip and length of the pegmatite

COLLECTING DRAGON’S MOUTH SPECIMENS

PART ONE

We had to take a moment of silence, staring at the again exposed pocket. Now the fun of excavating and filling flats would truly begin.

Three pieces were removed and then Tim pulled out an intact combination amazonite and smoky quartz group! That had been the missing element. All aspects were now in place. We knew the pocket would produce quality combination specimens!

The feelings of such an incredible discovery are hard to imagine or put into words. All of us were jumping up and down, giving high five slaps, and shouting in joy. Several times we cautioned each other to keep the shouts down. We didn’t want to draw attention to the find and invite high-graders in.

We worked carefully, taking turns. Each specimen was wrapped and placed in order of excavation in a marked flat for later reconstruction. Every piece which showed euhedral faces was also saved.

Tim is carefully removing specimens. I’m wrapping and storing in flats	Most of the loose material is removed, making room for our heads and shoulders and revealing an incredible sight
Looking inside the cavity	We knew we had a good pocket when we discovered this combination specimen

By now the shape of the pocket was apparent. It was big, and it had quality. We had to use caution in sticking our heads into the growing cavity for fear of hitting the crystals on the ceiling. I told my sons, “I never worried about you guys cutting your scalps on the crystals, but I did worry about you breaking off a crystal!” We decided the most appropriate name for such a pocket was the Dragon’s Mouth Pocket. This was the distinct feeling one had while inserted inside the pocket staring at all the smoky quartz crystals jutting down.

The hammer is sitting on top of loose crystals	After the loose crystals are removed there is room for our heads and shoulders
This was the ceiling plate which broke apart	Dragon’s Mouth Pocket, an appropriate name
The ceiling towards the back	Another view of the rear of the pocket

Much of the pocket was loose and had dettached from the ceiling and sides. As we pulled these pieces out, we washed them and placed them in flats in the order they were removed. Whenever possible, we fitted crystals to the matrix pieces and wrapped these together. A few of the pieces which were on top of the loose pile were truly remarkable combinatin pieces and groups.

One of the best amazonite clusters, found near the pocket mouth, upside down in the mud	An intact smoky with a great amazonite cluster

During the excavation of the Dragon’s Mouth Pocket, the forest rangers came by to complete their annual inspection. We were a bit taken back that the rangers just happened to show up while we had the pocket open. It turned out to be an opportunity to share some instruction on pocket formation and to show just how difficult it is to find quality specimens. They enjoyed the visit and were pleased with the neatness of our excavation. I enjoyed describing the operation. It reminded me of a number of years earlier when the ranger had dropped by on a different claim. He understood a lot about forestry, but nothing about mining. He had asked a lot of questions, however, and was very supportive. I must say, all the rangers have been.

Near the pocket rear we began finding some specimens with cleavelandite	This is that specimen. This is truly world class

Excavation went quickly as most material was loose. Unfortunately, much of the contents was highly fractured, essentially crushed. There would not be a large number of plates. By late afternoon, all the floor material had been removed. It was time to remove the top plates. To do this we stuffed the cavity with blankets and empty flats (to take up the space). The next step would be to remove more of the granite from the top plates by picking into the bank above the pegmatite. We intended to remove the decomposing granite until the pegmatite matrix was encountered. At this point, we hoped the pegmatite pieces would be loose and could be removed. It took about 2 hours to drive the face back, exposing the pegmatite. Now we were able to remove the ceiling plates. Despite this care, all the crystals from one plate became detached. For the most part, those on the other ceiling plates remained intact. We recovered about four groups which promised to be good quality pieces. We worked until late in the evening, as long as there was light. What remained was the back of the cavity and we could probably finish that in the morning.

Stuffing the cavity with blankets . . .	Empty flats to take up space and prevent damage if a disloged crystal falls

At first light, the next day, we resumed work. We were as far back as we could crawl in to reach and the surrounding rock would no longer yield to our picks. I needed equipment to remove the boulders which capped the remaining part of the pocket. At this point, the pocket still dipped downwards to the east and rose to the west. Scott had been able to crawl into it so just his legs jutted out, but there was hardly any room to work. One floor plate which seemed intact rose slightly in the middle of the pocket. It nearly separated the pocket into a right and left hemisphere. Indeed, the crystallization in both sections appeared to be a little different. More quartz was found on the right side.

The next morning we began removing the loose material and reexposed the pocket	The blankets are in place removing the top plates to prevent breakage
During final stages of excavation we could no longer drive the face back due to hardness	Scott crawls into the Dragon’s Mouth to extract specimens at the rear

The central portion of the pocket which bowed slightly up turned out to be the larges plate recovered. Many of its crystals had broken free, yet, it was still one of the largest plates recovered in the district.

A section of the middle plate; however, at this time, we only knew it was a nice group. We didn’t know it would fit to the Dragon	The large cluster from the pocket middle which became known as the Dragon

Even though we were unable to reach the farthest portion of the pocket, we finished collecting on 29 July. I knew I would have to get equipment back immediately to finish the work and to protect ourselves from high-graders. Even one specimen could end up being a key specimen to repair a plate with. We couldn’t chance it. On 31 July we returned with equipment and succeeded in opening the Needle Pocket. When finished with it, however, we still had not removed the boulders.

Classic pegmatite structure showing “rind” around cavity of the Dragon’s MouthThe Dragon’s Mouth Pocket was very well shaped, approximately like a large M and M, except that in the center was a bulge of crystallization. The bulge turned out to be the specimen we named The Dragon.

The pegmatite which produced the cavity had a classic, text-book structure. The outer rind, extending to a small aplite zone was about 6″ thick. The plates with the crystals were another 6″ thick and remained attached to the rind for the most part. When removed, they peeled easily from the rind. The rind, itself, peeled easily from the country granite. We have designated this granite black/gray/red (bgr) granite due to its distinct appearance. Most of the granite in the Crystal Peak area appears a yellowish tan to brownish red color, particularly the weathered granite. This yellowish granite contains many of the pegmatites. However, when it becomes less weathered and more compact, its color becomes very dark with black and gray crystals. Much of the black is biotite mica with the gray being quartz. A distinct red feldspar crystal is interspersed equally with the black and gray crystals.

The Dragon’s Mouth Pocket can be envisioned as a huge watermelon with a distinct light-colored rind embedded in the bgr matrix. As it was opened, the rind and empty cavity gave it the appearance of a large nodule with a central cavity, essentially a geode, embedded in a granite matrix.

The empty cavity left by the Dragon’s Mouth Pocket was about 7′ into the mountain; it opened up to about 4′ across; and it was about 2′ high. A person could easily crawl into it. Indeed, Scott was generally half way into it while collecting the crystals. The pocket produced over 30 flats of material. Laid out, the material covered five, 6′ tables. Even then, many fragments were still in flats. We worked for most of the winter washing and trying to piece it together. We continued work through the summer of 2003 between digging, and yet by fall, 2003 we still had only a couple pieces prepared to show. At the Denver show we revealed the Dragon. Only a couple other pieces have been finished.

The Needle Pocket adjacent to the Dragon’s Mouth. Boulder still in place	After the boulder was removed, additonal excavation revealed a few remnant crystals

The quality of the crystals from the Dragon’s Mouth is very fine. It grades a little less than the Museum Pocket. The color of the amazonites is a 9.2 on a 10 point scale. Some of the amazonites were 3″ in length with a few even longer. Most were about 2″ in length. The smokies were somewhat stubby and not as slender as other smokies from the area pockets. They are all deep black, have a satiny luster, and are quite transparent. The pocket had a few pieces with snow-white cleavelandite and a few loose fluorite masses. No goethite was recovered.

Some of the pieces laid out in preparation for assembly	The largest pieces
These are the main pieces which assembled into the Dragon	Washing each piece takes incredible amounts of time

Although a good deal of material was produced, as a whole, production turned out to be mostly singles. There were only a very few combination pieces. It now appears that many of the pieces cannot be fitted together. There was simply not enough matrix to work with. What looked good on the ceiling was most of what we got. Presently, we have stored the Dragon’s Mouth as a pocket too hard to reassemble, and we have moved on to piecing together some smaller pockets.

We learned again, despite all the wonderful appearances, a pocket generally produces only a very few, world-class pieces.