Prairie Creek (Lamproite Diatreme)
Approximate — check official site before visiting
Public access area near Crater of Diamonds State Park. The geologic source of the diamond-bearing lamproite diatreme. Known for amethyst, chrome diopside, epidote, garnet, hematite, and jasper. A prime spot for mineral collecting near the famous diamond site.
🌐 Visit Official Site →🪨 What You Can Find Here
Amethyst
Purple quartz crystals found in geodes and pegmatites. Notable sources include Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maine.
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Diopside
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
Epidote
Green silicate mineral common in metamorphic rocks. Found in Alabama's Piedmont region and other metamorphic zones across the US.
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Garnets
Deep red almandine garnets are found in many states. Idaho's star garnets are among the rarest in the world.
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Hematite
Iron oxide mineral responsible for red coloration in rocks. Michigan's Upper Peninsula and New York's Adirondack region contain significant hematite deposits.
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Agates
Banded chalcedony prized for their colors and patterns. Lake Superior agates, Fairburn agates, and Montana moss agates are especially famous.
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Diamonds
Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is the only public diamond-digging site in the world. Over 33,000 diamonds found.
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📍 Nearby Locations in Arkansas
Arkansas Novaculite Beds
Hot Springs, Arkansas · Public Land
Ouachita Mountain wash slopes for novaculite — a unique sedimentary rock prized for whetstones. Also occasional quartz crystals.
Ouachita Mountain Quartz Mines
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Numerous fee-dig quartz mines throughout the Ouachita Mountains. The region produces some of the world's finest clear quartz crystals.
Avant Quartz Mine
Jessieville, Arkansas · Fee Dig
Historic quartz mine in the Ouachita Mountains. Known for producing fine crystal specimens.
Arkansas Quartz Crystal Mines
Mount Ida, Arkansas · Fee Dig
Multiple fee-dig quartz mines in the Mount Ida area. World-famous for clear quartz crystals. Dig your own or buy specimens. Coleman's, Wegner's, and m...
Coleman Quartz Mine
Mount Ida, Arkansas · Fee Dig
Well-established fee-dig quartz mine. Known for excellent clusters and single crystals. A classic Arkansas rockhounding experience.
Twin Creek Quartz Mine
Mount Ida, Arkansas · Fee Dig
Family-operated quartz mine in the Mount Ida district. Known for producing crystal clusters and single points.
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Prairie Creek (Lamproite Diatreme) with the right equipment.
Rock Hammer
The most essential rockhounding tool. Choose a hammer with both a flat striking face and a pointed pick end.
Typical: $25-45
Safety Glasses
Mandatory protective gear. Rock chips fly unpredictably when hammering.
Typical: $10-20
Chisel Set
Cold chisels in 3-4 sizes for precise extraction from matrix rock.
Typical: $15-30
Geologist's Pick
A heavier crack hammer for splitting hard rock. Essential for hard rock mining areas.
Typical: $35-60
Sifting Screen
Stackable mesh screens for sifting gravel and dirt. Essential for gem and fossil hunting.
Typical: $20-40
UV Flashlight
Long-wave UV light for finding fluorescent minerals and Yooperlites.
Typical: $15-35