South of us, Brazil boasts the best amethyst mines in the world, and a large vein is found in Thunder Bay, Ontario, to the north, but few amethyst mines can be found in the continental U.S. Even fewer actual tours focused specifically on amethyst are available. Yet with a little ingenuity and advance planning, during certain times of the year some regions of the United States welcome individuals and groups to explore their mines and dig for crystals.
General
Primary amethyst deposits can be found in North Carolina, Maine, Montana and Colorado. Mines in Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina and Arizona have lower quantities. Some rock hounds prefer the dark crystals of Maine, while others like the brownish purple of those found in Pennsylvania. In Calamity Jane's old stomping ground of Creede, Colorado, a major population influx occurred around the discovery of a hundred foot-wide amethyst vein running along West Willow Creek Canyon.
Mines
Specific mines are: Pennoyer Amethyst Mine in Larimer County, Colorado; Queen Mine in Unaweep Canyon, Mesa County, Colorado; Four Peaks Mine, Maricopa County, Arizona; Diamond Hill Quartz Mine, Antreville, South Carolina; Kingston Peak Amethyst Deposits; San Bernardino County, California; Shaver Lake Amethyst near Fresno, California; Brushy Creek Mine in Spruce Pine, North Carolina; and Elijah Mountain Gem Mine in Henderson, North Carolina.
Tours
Miners need certain tools to harvest and dig.
Some of these mines offer tours with advance booking. Visitors include rock hounds, geologists, jewelers and families just out for a day's adventure. At each location, hosts to the mines will arrange to give tours of their local facilities as well as showing find the local stones. To find out about specific tours, visitors can contact gem and mineral dealers, check online for rock hound sites, or attend gem and mineral shows to network. Several of the mines, like the Poland Mining Camp in Maine, offer camping or cabins, and other excursions for visitors. Be sure to check with each mine to inquire as to specific tools, equipment and gear you might need if you plan a trip.
Other Stones
A few of the amethyst mines and many others around the country feature plenty of other gems and minerals to consider: aquamarine, emerald, fluorite, ruby, silver, garnet, moonstones, opal, citrine, sapphire, quartz, adventurine, sodalite, datolite, feldspar, calcite, mica, corundum and epidote. Opals are big in Nevada, and New York state has several mines where quartz crystals known as the famous herkimer diamonds can be found.
Tags: amethyst mines, North Carolina, County Colorado, rock hounds, South Carolina
