A Short History of Quartz
Prior to the arrival of the first European explorers within Arkansas’ present state boundaries, various Native American tribes made use of some of the region’s mineral resources. In the Ouachita Mountains region, quartz crystal was traded and had limited use for manufacture of projectile points, novaculite was highly prized and used for a variety of projectile types, and some igneous rock types were made into counterweights for atl-atls (spear throwing device) and as fishing net plummets (weights). Flint from the Ozark region was the raw material for making projectile points and sandstone was used for corn grinding. Significant pottery-making cultures were established in the Gulf Coastal region in southwest and northeast Arkansas, utilizing local deposits of clay. Salt was recovered from some salty springs and seeps. Native Americans considered the thermal waters of present day Hot Springs National Park in Garland County a holy place and all tribes had access to them.
With the advent of European exploration, the region began to receive settlers. By the middle 19th century, they had discovered lead and iron ore deposits in the Ozark and Ouachita region, coal beds in the Arkansas Valley, and clay and salt springs in the Gulf Coastal region, and began to utilize these resources locally. During the Civil War, saltpeter was mined from caves in the Ozarks, along with lead ore from nearby deposits.
Near the close of the 19th century, significant deposits of zinc, lead, and limestone had been recognized and mined in Arkansas. Deposits of antimony ore were mined in Sevier County beginning shortly after the Civil War and ending after World War I. Bauxite had been discovered in Pulaski and Saline Counties by 1900. At the end of this period, Arkansas was the Nation’s leading freshwater pearl producer, the pearls being recovered primarily from the Black and White Rivers in Independence County.
The first half of the 20th century saw the advent of large scale mining for limestone, sandstone, clay, sand & gravel, chalk, coal, bauxite, manganese, mercury, zinc and lead, barite, novaculite, quartz crystal, diamonds, and nepheline syenite. Petroleum and natural gas resources in southern Arkansas and the Arkansas Valley were discovered and developed.
Significant mineral industries based on the discovery and development of deposits of glass sand in Izard County, bromine in Columbia and Union Counties, gypsum in Howard and Pike Counties, and vanadium in Garland County highlight the second half of the 20th century. The latter period of this time saw the end of production of barite, bauxite for aluminum production, and a serious decline in coal production. However, production of industrial minerals on the whole, especially crushed stone and sand & gravel, greatly increased during this time.
Arkansas continues to be the Nation’s leading producer of bromine and ranks high for the production of raw clay and tripoli, but it is in quartz crystal production where Arkansas really "shines". In the late 40's the U.S. government was looking for quartz to use in bomb site production and dug many test pits in Arkansas. They found a band of quartz in a 60 mile area from Paron to Mt. Ida and about 10 miles wide. The quartz found in what is designated blocker lead #4 was the purest they found and sets the world standard for quartz purity.
In the 50's Ron Coleman's grandfather Charlie started mining at what is now known as Blocker Lead #4 or more commonly The Old Coleman Mine. At that time rights were leased from Dierks lumber company a predecessor of Weyerhaeuser. The Coleman family has been involved with mining here off and on ever since. Control of the land has passed through many hands including German and Canadian interests with the Coleman's almost always being consulted or hired for their expertise in the mining of quartz in this unique location.
In the 80's the Old Coleman mine finally lived up to its name when it was acquired by Ron Coleman from the Geomex Corporation. The late 80's proved to be a lucrative time as the quartz market exploded and supply could barely keep up with demand. After the crash of the Asian stock market and the infusion of low priced quartz from Brazil demand has slowed and encouraged new thinking and strategies. In years past the major clients for quartz were in bulk by the pound purchases to supply gift shops around the world with items to tempt and tantalize vacation shoppers and mineral collectors. Lately the Coleman Mine is becoming more known for medium (40 lb) to large (150 lb and up) decorator and museum type pieces and is trying to cater this clientele through galleries in both the Arkansas and Arizona locations.
The future looks good for years to come with the shift in focus to single larger quality pieces over quantity production should last for the next generation. Ron Coleman's son Kevin serving as vice president hopes to keep bringing fresh ideas to the company. Following the example set by his father, Kevin's sons Alex and Joshua are being exposed to the quartz business and will ensure that Old Coleman mine pieces are available for many years to come.