Calcite from Rucks’ Pit
Okeechobee County, Florida, USA
To see the largest single plate of calcified Mercenaria permagna clams ever recovered from Rucks’ Pit, CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO THE RIGHT. This piece measures 35 x 25 x 6.9 inches (89 x 63.5 x 17.5 cm), and is home to over 40 Mercenaria clams. Call 850-443-0504 to inquire.
The specimens depicted below came from a relatively new find of gemmy honey-amber calcite crystals filling and replacing Mercenaria permagna clams. First discovered by Dr. Thomas Scott of the Florida Geological Survey, the clams were found in living position, and were largely confined to a stratigraphic zone 0.3 – 0.6m thick throughout the pit. Because these Mercenaria were found in hinge-up living position, it was suggested that they died in place due to a catastrophic event, such as sudden burial or freshwater poisoning resulting from a hurricane, tsunami or other causes. The age of these Mercenaria fossils is late Pliocene to early Pleistocene (1 – 1.5 million years old).
The
size of the crystals (to over 3 cm in length) and the occurrence of many
complete articulated crystal-filled clams make this occurrence unique. In all
crystal-bearing specimens, portions of the sides (and sometimes tops) of the
clam shells have been dissolved by ground water. This creates “natural windows”
into each clam, allowing the internal crystallization to be more easily seen.
The largest crystal clusters grow downward from the hinge area (top) of the
clams. When found broken away from the rest of the fossil clam, these hinge
pieces make outstanding thumbnail to small cabinet - sized crystal specimens.
The calcite from this
site fluoresces a light yellow-green color under shortwave and longwave UV
light, and also phosphoresces for a second or two once the black light is
extinguished.
This site produced other calcified pelecypods, including Busycon rucksorum (Whelk), Anadara (Ark shells), and others. Most calcite crystals within these mollusks were drusy, and lacked the deeper color and transparency of the larger crystals found growing within Mercenaria permagna clams.
Through an agreement with the owner, Apalachee Minerals and The Fossil Geode had exclusive commercial collecting privileges at this site, collecting from 2002-2005. The Fossil Geode's web site has additional photos of this site.
Rucks’ Pit was an active mine, worked primarily for limerock used for road base material. The stratigraphic zone mined for aggregate was the same horizon from which the calcified Mercenaria occurred. Unfortunately, mining ceased in 2007 and the pit was allowed to completely flood. The property is currently being converted into an RV campground. Prior to flooding, a large amount of limerock material was removed from the pit and stockpiled on the surface. The Rucks family allows recreational collecting from these piles on a fee basis. Contact Mr. Eddie Rucks, Jr. at 863-634-4579 for current collecting information.
If you are interested in
purchasing any of these minerals, you can place
your order on on our secure order
form.
You will need
to know the specimen number, the specimen name and the price.
If you have any questions,
Feel free to
e-mail us at
order@apalachee-minerals.com
or call
(850) 443-0504 if you have any questions.
Please click on Thumbnail Photos to view larger image and more details on each mineral.
SEE CALCITE CLAMS IN MATRIX DOWN BELOW
OR click here to go straight to the MATRIX page
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
CAL0414-
$200 (c) |
CAL2753-
$40 (c) |
CAL3065- $50 (c) |
CAL3100-
$200 (c) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
CAL3103-
$180 (lc) |
CAL3104-
$220 (c) |
RUC2033-
$120 (c) |
RUC2828-
$140 (c)
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
RUC2868-
$148 (c) |
RUC2870-
$270 (c) |
RUC2873-
$165 (c) |
RUC2897-
$100 (c) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
RUC2968-
$76 (c) |
RUC2971-
$120 (c) |
RUC2973-
$110 (c) |
RUC3317-
$88 (c) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
RUC3681-
SOLD (c) |
RUC3683-
$78 (c) |
RUC3689-
$84 (c) |
RUC3706-
$120 (c) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
RUC3801-
$56 (c) |
RUC3802-
SOLD (sc) |
RUC3807-
$58 (sc) |
RUC4035-
$180 (lc) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
RUC4387-
$80 (c) |
RUC4417-
$80 (c) |
RUC4448-
$42 (sc) |
RUC4449-
$180 (lc) |
Calcite in Matrix from Rucks’ Pit
Okeechobee County, Florida, USA
Please click on Thumbnail Photos to view larger image and more details on each mineral.
CAL2508- $420 RUC4037- $260
CAL3101- $420 RUC2432 - $245
RUC2794- $220 RUC3567- $180
Thumbnail (t)
3 cm or smaller
Miniature (m) 3 – 6 cm
Small Cabinet (sc) 6 – 8 cm
Cabinet (c) 8 - 12 cm
Large cabinet (lc) > 12 cm