Ely Mine
Approximate — check official site before visiting
Historic copper mine between West Fairlee and South Vershire. Part of Vermont's 1850s copper boom. Old smelter ruins and mine dumps accessible via dirt road. Over 10 different minerals reported. Now a Superfund site - collecting from waste dumps is generally tolerated but exercise caution and respect all signage.
🪨 What You Can Find Here
Chalcopyrite
Also found at:
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.
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Sphalerite
Zinc sulfide mineral, the primary ore of zinc. Found in Missouri, Wisconsin, New York, and Kentucky's Mississippi Valley deposits.
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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.
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Actinolite
Green amphibole mineral found in metamorphic rocks. Alabama's Piedmont region produces actinolite specimens in association with other minerals.
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Calcite
Common but versatile carbonate mineral that forms in many crystal habits. Found in geodes, cave deposits, and veins throughout the US.
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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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Hornblende
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
📍 Nearby Locations in Vermont
Belvidere Mountain Asbestos Mine
Lowell, Vermont · Public Land
Historic asbestos mine dumps for grossular garnet, diopside, and other metamorphic minerals. Safety note: avoid airborne dust.
Brookfield Marble Quarries
Brookfield, Vermont · Public Land
Historic marble quarries for collecting marble specimens and calcite. Vermont is famous for its marble and granite industries.
Vermont Garnet Beds
Roxbury, Vermont · Public Land
Road cuts and exposures in central Vermont for grossular garnet crystals. The Green Mountains produce excellent garnet specimens.
Vermont Talc / Soapstone Beds
Chester, Vermont · Public Land
Historic talc and soapstone quarries in southern Vermont. Talc is the state mineral.
Morse Mining Company at Smugglers' Notch
Cambridge, Vermont · Fee Dig
Family-friendly gem panning at Smugglers' Notch Resort. Pan for minerals and rocks using a sluice box that rinses away sediment to reveal nature's tre...
Gassetts Road Cut
Gassetts (Chester), Vermont · Public Land
Productive road cut on Route 103 where it crosses the Williams River. South of the river, a muscovite schist contains quartz, garnet, tourmaline, stau...
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Ely Mine 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