Morefield Mine (closed)
Approximate — check official site before visiting
Historic pegmatite mine once renowned for amazonite, garnet, and beryl. Now closed and sealing underground workings. Exhibits at the Smithsonian.
🌐 Visit Official Site →🪨 What You Can Find Here
Garnets
Deep red almandine garnets are found in many states. Idaho's star garnets are among the rarest in the world.
Also found at:
Amethyst
Purple quartz crystals found in geodes and pegmatites. Notable sources include Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maine.
Also found at:
Topaz
Blue topaz is Texas's state gem. Utah's Topaz Mountain produces clear and sherry-colored crystals.
Also found at:
📍 Nearby Locations in Virginia
Fairy Stone State Park
Stuart, Virginia · State Park
Hunt for Staurolite crystals that naturally form in cross shapes, known as 'fairy stones' or 'fairy crosses.' These unique formations can often be fou...
Virginia Unakite & Amazonite
Gretna, Virginia · Public Land
Piedmont region of Virginia for unakite, amazonite, and kyanite. Road cuts and creek beds produce beautiful specimens.
Virginia Kyanite Beds
Dillwyn, Virginia · Public Land
Buckingham County area for kyanite crystals. Virginia is the only state that mines kyanite commercially. Found in schist exposures.
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Morefield Mine (closed) 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