Mt. Mica

Paris, Maine
๐ŸŒ Land Type: Fee Dig (Private)
๐Ÿ’ฐ Fee: $15-25
Approximate โ€” check official site before visiting
๐Ÿ“… Season: May-October (appointment)
๐Ÿ“Š Difficulty: moderate

Historic pegmatite mine known for producing world-class tourmaline specimens. One of America's most famous mineral localities.

๐ŸŒ Visit Official Site โ†’
Tourmaline Beryl Topaz Garnets ๐Ÿชจ Rockhounding ๐Ÿ”ฌ Advanced

๐Ÿชจ What You Can Find Here

Topaz

Blue topaz is Texas's state gem. Utah's Topaz Mountain produces clear and sherry-colored crystals.

Also found at:

Garnets

Deep red almandine garnets are found in many states. Idaho's star garnets are among the rarest in the world.

Also found at:

๐Ÿ“ Nearby Locations in Maine

Maine Tourmaline Mines (Mt. Mica, Dunton, etc.)

Newry, Maine ยท Fee Dig

World-class pegmatite mines in western Maine. Produces gem-quality tourmaline, amethyst, and aquamarine. Some of the finest tourmaline in the world.

TourmalineBerylAmethyst

Maine Amethyst (Puzzle Mountain)

Newry, Maine ยท Fee Dig

Known for gem-grade amethyst deposits. Fee-dig operations in the Newry area produce fine purple specimens.

Amethyst

Maine Beryl / Aquamarine

Stoneham, Maine ยท Fee Dig

Pegmatite quarries in Oxford County known for beryl, aquamarine, and garnet. Classic Maine mineral collecting.

BerylAquamarineGarnets

Wade Mines / Maine Feldspar Quarries

Auburn, Maine ยท Fee Dig

Historic feldspar quarries in the Auburn area. Collecting for beryl, garnet, and tourmaline from quarry dumps.

BerylGarnetsTourmaline

โ›๏ธ Recommended Gear

Make the most of your visit to Mt. Mica 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

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Safety Glasses

Mandatory protective gear. Rock chips fly unpredictably when hammering.

Typical: $10-20

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Chisel Set

Cold chisels in 3-4 sizes for precise extraction from matrix rock.

Typical: $15-30

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Geologist's Pick

A heavier crack hammer for splitting hard rock. Essential for hard rock mining areas.

Typical: $35-60

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Sifting Screen

Stackable mesh screens for sifting gravel and dirt. Essential for gem and fossil hunting.

Typical: $20-40

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UV Flashlight

Long-wave UV light for finding fluorescent minerals and Yooperlites.

Typical: $15-35

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