The best rockhounding locations in Colorado are: Mt. Atero, Chafee county; The Turret Mining District; Golden Gate Canyon; Devil’s Head; Wolf Creek Pass; Pike’s Peak; The Bachelor-Syracuse Mine; The Old Hundred Gold Mine; Loosely
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Colorado is a beautiful state with fascinating geology. There is an abundant variety of gems and minerals that are found in this state, including amazonite, topaz, quartz, and gold. Below are a few mines in Colorado that you can visit, collect mineral specimens, and enjoy the natural beauty of Colorado. Contact these places directly to learn more about access to claims and costs to visit
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In Colorado, the majority of the topaz has come from the Pikes Peak area, a historic gold mining region. It’s also found on the slopes of mountain gem fields, such as those on Mount Antero. Like aquamarine, topaz has a lot of commercial potential and the good spots are mostly wrapped up in claims. Some of the groups and families that own these allow rockhound clubs onto the
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Other gem-quality minerals commonly found in Colorado include: Agate; Amethyst; Barite; Garnet; Jasper; Opal; Peridot; Rose Quartz; Sapphire; Tourmaline; Turquoise; In addition, you can find gold and silver, a variety of fossils (including dinosaurs!), and petrified wood in the state. Gem Hunting in Colorado. The Centennial State has many great spots for gem-hunting. However,
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Colorado Amazonite and Smoky Quartz: Amazonite and smoky quartz could be the best-known gem mineral association found in Colorado. The beautiful blue-green amazonite contrasts sharply with the dark smoky quartz to make beautiful display
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The geology of Colorado has produced a wide array of gems and minerals. Many of these quite valuable to collectors, and weekend rockhounds can go out and find many of them. Valuable minerals like rhodochrosite, turquoise, topaz, sapphire, garnets, amethyst, and jasper is
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Mining sites for rock hunters in Colorado. For those more serious gem hunters, if you plan to make a day of it wandering over mountains and through parks, a small shovel and pickaxe will help you find treasures. Of course, you want to be safe,
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In a sad twist, Mount Antero is covered in mining claims these days. You’ll have to either know someone or find one of the unclaimed areas to get your own specimens. 3. Rhodochrosite. Brilliant, gem-quality Rhodochrosite is one of
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Colorado is a beautiful state with fascinating geology. There is an abundant variety of gems and minerals that are found in this state, including amazonite, topaz, quartz, and gold. Here are several public mining sites that you can visit and dig for gold and a
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In addition, the National Mining Hall of Fame as well as a number of small museums specializing in local fossils or mining history call Colorado home. Denver Museum of Nature and Science The Coors Mineral Hall. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science houses the Coors Mineral Hall. Here, visitors first walk through a faux mineshaft and into the exhibit, which features stunning
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Colorado Gemstones. A wide variety of gems have been mined in Colorado.For a short time, Colorado had the only commercial diamond mine in North America.The state is also famous for its aquamarine, rhodochrosite, amazonite, smoky quartz, and other minerals.For some of these materials, gem-quality crystals are sought by both gem collectors and mineral specimen
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Colorado Gem Mineral Locations. There are over 774 gems and mineral localities in Colorado. Here’s a list of key locations and the material that can be found (Source: Rocks and Minerals, July 2002) . Stoneham – Barite; State Line Diamond District; Red Feather Lakes – Amethyst; Devils Head – Smoky Quartz, Clear White Quartz, Citrine and Topaz ; Wigham
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Located in the Colorado Rockies near the Crystal Peak area is a mining spot that is popular for its teal blue amazonite and smoky Quartz combination of crystals. These gem mines have produced superb mineral specimens over a period of 100 years. There have also been sightings of the gemstone in El Paso County, Colorado.
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There are a surprising number of places in Colorado where you can dig for free (or for a token fee). The places I have highlighted here are ALL places where you don’t need to worry about federally registered mining claims or hostile private property owners. All of these sites allow pans and sluices. If you want to use battery or gas powered equipment, please check with the land
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Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs is one of the best areas in Colorado for rockhounds. The many area pegmatites, old mining dumps, and area streams contain fantastic specimens of minerals such as agate, fluorite, zircon, and fluorite. The St. Peter’s Dome district in particular is famously for its quality mineral specimens.
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The Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety's AUGER map provides information on active and historic mines in Colorado. The interactive map shows: Active and inactive construction and hardrock mines with information on permitting, size, commodities, fees, land use, and more Coal permit boundaries Alluvial and bedrock aquifers Geology Hydrography Land
MoreMining sites for rock hunters in Colorado. For those more serious gem hunters, if you plan to make a day of it wandering over mountains and through parks, a small shovel and pickaxe will help you find treasures. Of course, you want to be safe,
MoreIn a sad twist, Mount Antero is covered in mining claims these days. You’ll have to either know someone or find one of the unclaimed areas to get your own specimens. 3. Rhodochrosite. Brilliant, gem-quality Rhodochrosite is one of
MoreColorado is a beautiful state with fascinating geology. There is an abundant variety of gems and minerals that are found in this state, including amazonite, topaz, quartz, and gold. Here are several public mining sites that you can visit and dig for gold and a
MoreIn addition, the National Mining Hall of Fame as well as a number of small museums specializing in local fossils or mining history call Colorado home. Denver Museum of Nature and Science The Coors Mineral Hall. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science houses the Coors Mineral Hall. Here, visitors first walk through a faux mineshaft and into the exhibit, which features stunning
MoreColorado Gemstones. A wide variety of gems have been mined in Colorado.For a short time, Colorado had the only commercial diamond mine in North America.The state is also famous for its aquamarine, rhodochrosite, amazonite, smoky quartz, and other minerals.For some of these materials, gem-quality crystals are sought by both gem collectors and mineral specimen
MoreColorado Gem Mineral Locations. There are over 774 gems and mineral localities in Colorado. Here’s a list of key locations and the material that can be found (Source: Rocks and Minerals, July 2002) . Stoneham – Barite; State Line Diamond District; Red Feather Lakes – Amethyst; Devils Head – Smoky Quartz, Clear White Quartz, Citrine and Topaz ; Wigham
MoreLocated in the Colorado Rockies near the Crystal Peak area is a mining spot that is popular for its teal blue amazonite and smoky Quartz combination of crystals. These gem mines have produced superb mineral specimens over a period of 100 years. There have also been sightings of the gemstone in El Paso County, Colorado.
MoreThere are a surprising number of places in Colorado where you can dig for free (or for a token fee). The places I have highlighted here are ALL places where you don’t need to worry about federally registered mining claims or hostile private property owners. All of these sites allow pans and sluices. If you want to use battery or gas powered equipment, please check with the land
MoreColorado Springs. Colorado Springs is one of the best areas in Colorado for rockhounds. The many area pegmatites, old mining dumps, and area streams contain fantastic specimens of minerals such as agate, fluorite, zircon, and fluorite. The St. Peter’s Dome district in particular is famously for its quality mineral specimens.
MoreThe Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety's AUGER map provides information on active and historic mines in Colorado. The interactive map shows: Active and inactive construction and hardrock mines with information on permitting, size, commodities, fees, land use, and more Coal permit boundaries Alluvial and bedrock aquifers Geology Hydrography Land
More