Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area

Amethyst

Purple quartz crystals found in geodes and pegmatites. Notable sources include Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maine.

Also found at:

• Crater of Diamonds State Park
• Gem Mountain
• Hogg Mine

Feldspar

Common rock-forming mineral group. Found in granites and pegmatites throughout the US, often associated with gem minerals.

Also found at:

• Lake Martin Rockhounding Area
• Ruggles Mine
• Lord Hill Mineral Collecting Area

Beryl

Mineral species that includes emerald, aquamarine, and morganite. Found in pegmatites across the US, with notable deposits in New England and the West.

Also found at:

• Hogg Mine
• Morefield Mine (closed)
• Mt. Mica

Garnets

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

Also found at:

• Crater of Diamonds State Park
• Emerald Hollow Mine
• Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine

Columbite

Also found at:

• Lord Hill Mineral Collecting Area

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:

• Pennsylvania Quartz & Amethyst
• Pennsylvania Pyrite Beds
• Cornwall Iron Mine Dumps

Muscovite

Also found at:

• Bumpus Quarry

Quartz Crystals

Clear, smoky, and rose quartz crystals are among the most common and rewarding rockhounding finds. Arkansas produces world-class quartz.

Also found at:

• Crater of Diamonds State Park
• Crystal Grove Diamond Mine
• Herkimer Diamond Mines

New Hampshire Pegmatites (Beryl & Smoky Quartz)

North Conway, New Hampshire · Fee Dig

White Mountain pegmatites known for smoky quartz, beryl, and topaz. Fee-dig operations near North Conway and the Moat Mountain area.

Moat Mountain Smoky Quartz

North Conway, New Hampshire · USFS

USFS area in the White Mountains known for smoky quartz and topaz crystals. Requires hiking. Collecting for personal use.

New Hampshire Beryl Quarries

Keene, New Hampshire · Fee Dig

Numerous pegmatite quarries in the Keene area for beryl, smoky quartz, and garnet. Some fee-dig operations available.

Russel Mines

Alstead, New Hampshire · Fee Dig

Historic pegmatite mines in the Alstead area. Known for beryl and quartz crystal specimens.

Hurricane Mountain

North Conway, New Hampshire · Public Land

Public mineral collecting area on Hurricane Mountain in the White Mountain National Forest. Known for amethyst and smoky quartz crystals in alkali sye...

Ruggles Mine

Grafton, New Hampshire · Fee Dig

World-famous open-pit mica mine on Isinglass Mountain, known as the "Mine in the Sky." Reopened in 2023 under new ownership. Collect mica, feldspar, q...