West Mineral Area (Big Brutus Strip Pits)

Sphalerite

Zinc sulfide mineral, the primary ore of zinc. Found in Missouri, Wisconsin, New York, and Kentucky's Mississippi Valley deposits.

Also found at:

• Hog Mountain
• Indiana Fluorspar District
• Carrsville Area Fluorspar Mines

Calcite

Common but versatile carbonate mineral that forms in many crystal habits. Found in geodes, cave deposits, and veins throughout the US.

Also found at:

• Long Hill Mine (Old Mine Park)
• Fort Drum Crystal Mine (Ruck's Pit)
• Apple River Canyon State Park

Dolomite

Carbonate mineral similar to calcite. Ohio's quarries and the Mississippi Valley region produce dolomite in various formations.

Also found at:

• Carrsville Area Fluorspar Mines
• Ohio Geode Beds
• Monongahela National Forest Collecting

Marcasite

Also found at:

• Carrsville Area Fluorspar Mines
• Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park
• Brown County State Park Geodes (Road Cut)

Pyrite

Iron sulfide known as Fool's Gold for its metallic luster. Found in many US states, often in association with other minerals. Popular with beginner collectors.

Also found at:

• Hog Mountain
• Lyman Orchards Gem Mining
• Long Hill Mine (Old Mine Park)

Kansas Gypsum Beds

Barber County, Kansas · Public Land

Red Hills region of Kansas for gypsum and selenite crystals. Beautiful hourglass selenite specimens in the Blaine Formation exposures.

Kansas Jasper & Chalcedony Beds

Goodland, Kansas · Public Land

Western Kansas gravel pits and exposures producing colorful jasper, chalcedony, and agate specimens.

Kansas Geode Beds (Lincoln County)

Lincoln, Kansas · Public Land

Creek beds and road cuts in north-central Kansas for geodes lined with quartz and calcite crystals.

Kansas Chalk Beds (Niobrara Chalk)

Oakley, Kansas · BLM Land

The Niobrara Chalk of western Kansas yields incredible marine fossils including mosasaurs, pteranodons, and giant fish. Invertebrate fossils collectib...

KC Pumpkin Patch - Gemstone Mining Sluice

Olathe, Kansas · Fee Dig

Family-friendly gemstone mining sluice at KC Pumpkin Patch in Olathe, Kansas. Visitors sift through flowing water to find sparkling gemstones and mine...

Schermerhorn Park (Fossil Beds)

Galena, Kansas · Public Land

Public park in Cherokee County offering access to the oldest exposed rocks in Kansas — Mississippian Keokuk Limestone from about 345 million years ago...