Constitution Rutile Site (Rt. 851)
Approximate — check official site before visiting
Cultivated fields along Rt. 851 on the Maryland line near Constitution, PA. Known for producing nice rutile crystals, many twinned together. Also yields garnet, kyanite, and magnetite. Gold can be panned from a small stream on Gross Road. Collecting only possible during non-crop times and permission must be granted from the landowner.
🪨 What You Can Find Here
Rutile
Titanium oxide mineral often forming needle-like crystals in quartz. Georgia's Graves Mountain and North Carolina produce notable rutile specimens.
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Garnets
Deep red almandine garnets are found in many states. Idaho's star garnets are among the rarest in the world.
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Kyanite
Blue aluminum silicate mineral with distinctive blade-shaped crystals. Virginia's Willis Mountain and Georgia's Graves Mountain are notable US sources.
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Magnetite
Black iron oxide mineral with natural magnetism. New York's Adirondack region and other iron districts produce magnetite specimens.
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Gold
Native gold nuggets, flakes, and dust found in streams and ancient riverbeds. Popular states include Alaska, California, Colorado, Arizona, and Georgia for recreational gold panning.
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📍 Nearby Locations in Pennsylvania
Brookdale Mine
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania · Fee Dig
Historic lead mine in Chester County open to public collecting with permission. Known for exceptional quartz crystals, pyromorphite, and associated mi...
Cornwall Iron Mine Dumps
Cornwall, Pennsylvania · Public Land
Historic iron mine dumps for garnet, pyrite, and magnetite specimens. Cornwall was one of the most productive iron mines in the US.
Delaware County Sunstone (Aventurine Feldspar)
Media, Pennsylvania · Fee Dig
Rare metamorphic sunstone (aventurine oligoclase feldspar) found in Delaware County. Produces an orange-gold schiller effect from oriented hematite pl...
French Creek Area Garnets & Amethyst
Knauertown, Pennsylvania · mixed
Historic iron mine area in Chester County producing almandine garnet, amethyst, and a variety of calc-silicate minerals. Mine dumps from colonial-era ...
Indian Echo Caverns Gem Mill Junction
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania · Fee Dig
Gem Mill Junction at Indian Echo Caverns offers gemstone panning for amethyst, jasper, calcite, agate, and more. Purchase gem bags and pan for treasur...
Lehigh Gap Zinc Minerals
Palmerton, Pennsylvania · mixed
Historic zinc mining district along Blue Mountain. Weathering of sphalerite produced secondary zinc minerals including smithsonite, hemimorphite, and ...
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Constitution Rutile Site (Rt. 851) 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