Lord Hill Mineral Collecting Area

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
• Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area

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

Topaz

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

Also found at:

• Emerald Hollow Mine
• Topaz Mountain
• Morefield Mine (closed)

Phenakite

Also found at:

• No other locations listed yet

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

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

Columbite

Also found at:

• Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area

Fluorapatite

Also found at:

• Bumpus Quarry

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...