We have exciting news to share. Our Deep Ocean Pocket is now officially listed on Mindat.org, the largest and most respected mineral locality database in the mineral collecting community.
What Is Mindat.org
Mindat.org is a nonprofit mineralogy database operated by the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy. It serves collectors, researchers, and museums by documenting mineral species and verified localities across the globe. A listing on Mindat places a site into a permanent scientific record that can be searched and referenced by collectors and researchers worldwide.
Our Listing: Deep Ocean Pocket, Tampa Bay, Florida
Our site, Deep Ocean Pocket, is now recognized as an official locality on Mindat under Locality ID 470202.
Location
Deep Ocean Pocket is located offshore in Tampa Bay, Hillsborough County, Florida. The deposit sits well away from shore in deep water, buried under thick mud with extremely low visibility. The productive area spans roughly 50 by 20 yards and blends into the surrounding seafloor, making it very difficult to relocate, even for experienced divers who are familiar with the area. It is not a shoreline or ballast related occurrence, but a true offshore deposit that requires precise navigation and conditions to access.
What Makes It Special
The site produces chalcedony pseudomorphs after coral dating to the Miocene Epoch, approximately 25 to 30 million years ago. Silica replacement in deep water conditions created rare blue to black chalcedony that stands apart from most Florida material. Only a small percentage of recovered pieces are suitable for polishing, and high quality specimens are uncommon.
Minerals Reported at the Site
The Mindat entry lists the following minerals from the locality:
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Pyrite
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Hematite
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Quartz including agate and chalcedony varieties
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Opal
These minerals are documented with reference to our work and published material.
What This Means for Dig Dive Discover
Being listed on Mindat places our discovery into an internationally recognized archive. Collectors can now search for and reference the site directly through the database. The listing documents the work Rick and I have put into exploring and recovering material from this unique underwater deposit.
This is a milestone for Dig Dive Discover. We are proud to see our site recognized and recorded for the mineral community.
-Henry
You can view the official listing here:
https://www.mindat.org/loc-470202.html
