Lawrence County Gem Mine
Approximate — check official site before visiting
Gem panning in the heart of Indiana's limestone country. Find fossils, calcite, and geodes from the Salem Limestone formation. Located in Lawrence County, known for its prolific geode beds.
🌐 Visit Official Site →🪨 What You Can Find Here
Fossils
From shark teeth in Florida to dinosaurs in Montana, the US offers world-class fossil hunting for all skill levels.
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Calcite
Common but versatile carbonate mineral that forms in many crystal habits. Found in geodes, cave deposits, and veins throughout the US.
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Geodes
Hollow rocks lined with crystals. Iowa's Keokuk region is the Geode Capital of the World.
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Quartz Crystals
Clear, smoky, and rose quartz crystals are among the most common and rewarding rockhounding finds. Arkansas produces world-class quartz.
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📍 Nearby Locations in Indiana
Indiana Geode & Fossil Beds
Bedford, Indiana · Public Land
Southern Indiana creek beds and road cuts for geodes, calcite crystals, and crinoid fossils. Part of the prolific Mississippian bedrock.
Falls of the Ohio Fossil Beds
Clarksville, Indiana · State Park
World-famous Devonian fossil beds exposed on the Ohio River. Over 600 species identified. Some of the largest exposed coral reefs from the Devonian pe...
Indiana Fluorspar District
Rising Sun, Indiana · Public Land
Historic fluorite mining district in southeast Indiana. Mine dumps produce colorful fluorite, calcite, and sphalerite crystals along the Ohio River.
Harrodsburg Geode Beds
Harrodsburg, Indiana · pay-to-dig
Collect geodes from the famous Indiana limestone belt. Crack them open to reveal quartz, calcite, and pyrite crystals inside. Part of the prolific Mis...
McCormick's Creek Gem Panning
Spencer, Indiana · State Park
Gem panning and fossil hunting at McCormick's Creek State Park. Find fossils, trilobite fragments, and geodes in the creek bed. Located in Owen County...
Copperhead Creek Gem Mine
Nashville, Indiana · commercial
Fun for all ages, Copperhead Creek Gem Mine offers a flowing water sluice in the heart of Nashville. Pour dirt into a screen box and uncover gems, fos...
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Lawrence County Gem Mine 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