Graves Mountain will be open to prospectors and interested onlookers during the biannual "Rock Swap & Dig" set for October 5-7. Here, prospectors are pictured at the mountain collecting rutile, kyanite, lazulite, iridescent hematite, pyrophyllite, pyrite, and much more. was reported that an estimated 1,000 people from all over the United States attended last year's Rock Swap & Dig. The Graves Mountain Rock Swap & Dig is set to begin Friday, October 5, and continue through Sunday, October 7.

The mountain, which is considered "Georgia's premiere mineral location," will be open to prospectors and interested onlookers from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily.

Activities include mineral collecting, digging, swapping rocks and stories, hiking, and making new friends. Visitors are asked to bring their own picks, buckets, gloves, sifters, shovels, pry bars, and eye protection. It likewise a good idea bring along proper footwear, with plenty of ankle support, for climbing around the rock piles.

A shuttle and a concession stand, featuring grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, barbecue, chips, and soft drinks, will be provided. Also, special Graves Mountain Rock Swap Dig T-shirts will be available for purchase.

There is no admission charge, but a small donation is requested to defray the cost of opening the mountain to the public.

According to "Matrix: A Journal of the History of Minerals," the rutile crystals at Graves Mountain are considered the finest in the world. Rutile is a lustrous, dark red mineral commonly found in prismatic crystals.

In addition to rutile crystals, prospectors may also discover andalusite, baryte, cacoxenite, gibbsite, gold, gorceixite, iridescent hematite, jarosite, kaolinite, kyanite, lazulite, magnetite, muscovite, paragonite, pyrophyllite, pyrite, quartz, sericite, topaz, variscite, and wavellite.

Although a vast array of minerals may be found, the mountain is composed predominantly of two rocks: kyanite-quartzite and quartz-sericite schist, with mineralized veins of quartz.

Throughout the years, specimens of minerals found on Graves Mountain have made their way into private collections and museums throughout the world.

In describing the mountain, Jose Santamaria, author of the "Matrix" article, wrote, "The mountain is a long, ridge-like hill nearly a mile and a half long but less than half a mile wide...It once had two prominent summits, East and West Mountains, and a third smaller mountain. The highest peak rose 400 feet above the gently rolling hills of the surrounding area. Between the two taller peaks was a connecting ridge referred to as the saddle.

"Mining has reduced these peaks to 200 feet below their former heights. Ironically, the area around this saddle now provides one of the highest vantage points on the site."

Santamaria went on to write that throughout the 1800s and into the 1900s, the numerous springs located near the base of the mountain made it an ideal place for outings and picnics. Also, local politicians would campaign there.

Then, in 1960, geologist Paul Bennett, a long-time resident of Wilkes County, leased the mountain, and in 1963, his company, Aluminum Silicates Corporation, began mining kyanite. Kyanite is a heat-resistant mineral with a variety of uses, including the construction of tiles for the space shuttle.

In 1965, Bennett sold the company to C.E. Minerals, which went on to purchase the mountain itself in 1968.

"At one point, Graves Mountain produced half of the kyanite consumed in the United States," according to Santamaria. However, by 1984, "the price of kyanite could not keep up with the cost of production and inflation, and mining came to a stop."

At that time, plant manager Edwin Pasco formed his own company, Pasco Mining, and leased the site from C.E. Minerals so he could mine the mountain. Due to low prices and low demand, he was forced to close the plant in 1986, and the property reverted back to C.E. Minerals.

Reclamation efforts began in 1990 and still continue.

"What will prove impossible to do is to fill in the pits," said Santamaria. "No figures exist on the amount of rock removed from the mountain...To a collector, however, it is a dream come true. The walls and pits of Graves Mountain have exposed a mineralogy" of fantastic proportions.

The natural landmark was named for John Temple Graves, who bought the mountain from the government in the early 1800s.

The Rock Swap & Dig is hosted twice yearly by Junior Norman, caretaker of the mountain and a former miner.

According to Norman, "Approximately 1,000 people attended our last rock swap - some from as far away as California, New Mexico, Texas, Indiana, and Arkansas. We hope this upcoming weekend will be even bigger and better."

The "Code of Conduct" for Rock Swap & Dig participants is as follows:

.. Visitors must park their vehicles in the designated area at the end of the paved access road but not much beyond the woods to the right of the road.

.. No one is allowed to drive a vehicle beyond the designated parking area. To do so, he must be accompanied by the caretaker.

.. All pets must be kept on a leash and under control.

.. Ladders or power tools of any kind will not be allowed - hand tools only.

.. Stay away from all high walls.

.. No repelling.

.. Absolutely no one is allowed on the mountain after dark.

For more information about the event, call Norman at 1-706-401- 3173 or 1-706-359-3862.