Bolton Lime Quarry (Hildreth Quarry)
Approximate — check official site before visiting
Historic limestone quarry in Worcester County, also known as the Hildreth Quarry. Known for large pink scapolite crystals and occasional tourmaline. Considered a fee dig site for rockhounds collecting in the quarry dumps.
🪨 What You Can Find Here
Scapolite
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
Tourmaline
Colorful gemstone found in pegmatites. Tourmaline occurs in every color of the rainbow. Maine, California, and North Carolina are top US sources for gem-quality specimens.
Also found at:
📍 Nearby Locations in Massachusetts
Betts Rhodonite Mine
Plainfield, Massachusetts · Fee Dig
Fee dig site in western Massachusetts and the primary source of rhodonite, the Massachusetts state gemstone. Visitors can collect rhodonite, garnet, m...
Buckland Pegmatite Quarry
Buckland, Massachusetts · Fee Dig
Historic pegmatite quarry in western Massachusetts. Known for beryl, garnet, and tourmaline specimens.
Chesterfield Beryl Mine
Chesterfield, Massachusetts · Fee Dig
Historic pegmatite mine in western Massachusetts. Known for beryl crystals, garnets, and smoky quartz. Classic New England mineral locality.
Connecticut Valley Dinosaur Tracks
Holyoke, Massachusetts · Public Land
Dinosaur Trackway in Holyoke — exposed sandstone with hundreds of dinosaur footprints. Collecting prohibited but viewing is excellent.
Reynolds Mine at Beryl Hill
Winchendon, Massachusetts · Fee Dig
Historic family-owned fee dig mine on Beryl Hill in north-central Massachusetts (near Royalston). The site is a granite pegmatite locality that produc...
Wareham Mines
Wareham, Massachusetts · Fee Dig
Historic rhodonite mining area in southeastern Massachusetts. Rhodonite (state gem) is a pink manganese silicate mineral.
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Bolton Lime Quarry (Hildreth Quarry) 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