If your rock collecting adventures have been limited to beach shores or digging for rocks in the garden, why not venture off-road onto BLM lands for greater success in finding minerals, gem stones and fossils?
This book provides information on hundreds of collecting locations throughout Arizona’s Gem State. From fee-dig operations to four-wheel drive road trips, this comprehensive volume covers it all.
1. Quartzsite
Quartzsite, also known as the “Rock Capital of the World”, draws over one million visitors each winter in January and February. Quartzsite boasts a self-proclaimed gem and mineral show that attracts snowbirds who arrive early to set up RV campsites within its parks or on thousands of acres of BLM long term visitor areas where camping is permitted up to 14 days.
Northeast of Tucson boasts an abundance of rockhounding opportunities, from agates and jasper to quartz crystals and geodes. Black Hills and Round Mountain rock hounding areas both provide opportunities to find fire agate, rhyolite and chalcedony geodes – both are easily reachable from Safford within an hour’s drive! Be sure to bring plenty of water as these areas contain numerous cholla cacti which must be avoided when visiting them.
Are You Curious About Rockhounding? Join a Local Club Today If so, there will be special field trips available that can teach the techniques involved and you may just be amazed at what treasures await! Just have patience and perseverance as this adventure can bring.
2. Safford
Western Arizona is an amazing region full of geological marvels. Boasting an assortment of fascinating rocks and minerals, Western Arizona attracts rockhounds from across the nation. Some excellent rockhunting locations can be found within an hour’s drive of Safford; Black Hills Rock Hound Area in Peloncillo Mountains and Round Mountain Rockhounding Area near Woodruff are two BLM-owned lands offering self-contained RV camping up to 14 days and are known for fire agate found within quartz, rhyolite, and chalcedony geodes found along mountainside mountain sides.
Notable mineral finds include copper, gold and petrified wood in the Black Mountains and Apache Districts. Popular sites nearby include Hauser Geode Beds, Ajo Ajo area rough stones and Burro Creek Rockhounding site – these being highly recommended to new rockhounds! To locate the best digging spots as well as receive advice and tips to locate gems, stones and minerals successfully. Joining a club may also help.
3. Dugway Geode Beds
Dugway Geode Beds are an increasingly popular attraction for rock hounds looking for crystal-filled geodes. These lightweight treasures, typically lined with clear quartz or amethyst crystals, can be found here among soft gray unconsolidated material that underlies this area in Utah.
Geodes were formed when volcanic activity laid down extrusive igneous rock called rhyolite. Over time, trapped gases created cavities within it which eventually filled up with crystals, giving geodes their distinct shapes and colorful interiors.
32,000-14,000 years ago, wave action in a lake that once covered much of western Utah eroded rhyolite-bearing geodes and moved them several miles toward their current location near Dugway in Juab County. You may freely collect geodes on public lands, however you should bring along tools such as gardening shovel, bucket, safety glasses and hammer in order to open them on-site or to have whole geodes cut in half at local rock shops.
4. Herkimer Diamond Mines
Herkimer Diamond Mine, situated an hour’s drive from Syracuse, allows visitors to hunt for natural quartz crystals known as Herkimer Diamonds that formed over half a billion years ago and remain visible today. What sets Herkimer apart from other mines is that all finds, including diamonds themselves, can be taken home.
Renee Scialdo Shevat of Herkimer Diamond Mines states that her family has operated it since 1970 with sustainability as their goal; opening small sections at a time to ensure it lasts as long as possible while leaving the land unchanged.
Shevat encourages guests to bring rock hammers (up to three pounds in weight) for breaking apart dolostone and accessing vugs or cavities where Herkimer diamonds may lie. In addition, sturdy gloves and eye protection should be worn. Admission includes an all-day prospecting wristband as well as use of a sledge hammer and plastic bags in which you may store any diamonds you find!https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pzipp9gSMf0