Fort Drum Crystal Mine (Rucks Pit) - Fort Drum, FL
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Marine Biologist
N 27° 30.962 W 080° 45.698
17R E 523540 N 3043615
The Fort Drum Crystal Mine (aka Rucks Pit) is located in Fort Drum, Florida, USA. Although the "Pit" itself is closed, there are rock piles all around that provide excellent rock-hounding opportunities.
Waymark Code: WM40X6
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 06/20/2008
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Neos2
Views: 163

From the Rockhounding Florida website: "Ruck’s Pit (Fort Drum Crystal Mine) is located in Fort Drum Florida. This is the only location where you can find calcified marine clam shells in the world! Unfortunately, the pit itself is now closed to public collecting. However, Eddie Rucks still brings up piles of material to dig through and some excellent clams can still be found. Ruck’s is open 7 days a week from 8am to 5pm and the fee is $30 per person per day. There is also a limit of one 5-gallon bucket and one matrix piece per person. Make sure you contact Eddie Rucks at 813-634-4579 to make sure he will be there to open the gate for you."

Some nice photos of previous finds at Rucks Pit are available on the internet (visit link).

The Rockhounding Florida website identifies the following items to bring with you:
- Old Clothes (this is very important because you will get wet and dirty even with the water hoses supplied to wash down the rocks)
- Rock Pick
- Chisels
- Buckets
- Pry Bar
- Boots
- Lunch
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Safety Glasses
- Gloves
- Newspaper for wrapping specimens

Fossils: yes

Minerals: yes

Rock Types:
Calcite Crystals Calcified Marine Clam Shells Fossil Bones and Teeth


Admission price: 30.00 (listed in local currency)

Hours of Operation: From: 8:00 AM To: 5:00 PM

Gems: Not Listed

Meteorites: Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
Please post a photograph taken at the site showing either your GPS or your finds for the day you visited.
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Marine Biologist visited Fort Drum Crystal Mine (Rucks Pit) - Fort Drum, FL 06/20/2008 Marine Biologist visited it

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