🪨 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.
Best Places to Find Pyrite
Pennsylvania Quartz & Amethyst
Delta, Pennsylvania · Fee Dig
Fee-dig operations in York County for quartz crystals and amethyst. The Peach Bottom area produces fine crystal specimens.
Pennsylvania Pyrite Beds
Lancaster, Pennsylvania · Public Land
Lancaster County exposures for pyrite (fool's gold) cubes and quartz crystals. Classic Pennsylvania mineral collecting.
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.
Hog Mountain
Alexander City, Alabama · Fee Dig
Historic gold mining area NE of Alexander City in Tallapoosa County. Known for gold, pyrite, galena, and other sulfide minerals. Old mines and prospec...
Long Hill Mine (Old Mine Park)
Trumbull, Connecticut · Public Land
Well-known historic collecting site in Old Mine Park, Trumbull. Produces calcite, fluorite, pyrite cubes, scheelite, and blue topaz crystals. Public p...
Potosi Lead Mine District
Potosi, Missouri · Fee Dig
Historic lead mining district in Washington County. Old mine dumps produce galena cubes, calcite, pyrite, and sphalerite. Part of the famous Missouri ...