Finding A Location

So - you’ve assembled your tools, found a few beginning specimens, and are hungry for more. Where do you go next?

You can start with local guidebooks. If you live in the United States, there should be a book published for your state. The “Gem Trails” series is popular.

Try some of those locations first. Make sure you can read the directions on both how to get to your destination as well as what to do once you’re there to uncover your treasures!

Once you’ve explored a good chunk of the locations in your book, it’s time to branch out. You should have a good idea of what you like to collect now.

Now, head to mindat.org and search your city, county, or state. You will be able to see a full list of minerals that have been previously reported in your region. You can click on the little inscribed ‘i’ beside each mineral to see a map of individual locations that produce that mineral.

Chances are, more famous locations will have more photos of minerals on them. For those localities, you may be able to find additional information online.

As usual, please respect all private property!