Garnet can be found in quite a few locations in Maine.
Garnet is quite common in the state of Maine. No matter, if you are a seasoned rock hound or someone who would like to get a first taste of mineral prospecting, you will be able to bring home some appealing specimens, if you just know where to go to find these semiprecious gemstones.
Bumpus Quarry, Albany
The Bumpus Quarry Mine is located in Albany, Maine. Almandine garnets are scattered all throughout the mine. Other types of gemstones like beryl are plentiful in the area, as well. This is a fee-based collecting opportunity. You must contact mine owner Rodney Kimball for permission, in order to be able to collect.
Hermit Island, Small Point,
Almandine garnet crystals of various qualities that are up to 1 cm in length can be found at Hermit Island in high numbers. The garnets are most prevalent in mica shist outcroppings by the beach. It is advisable to collect them during low tides.
Behind Huber's Restaurant, Wiscasset, Maine
A person by the name of Zagwyn receives dirt from closed Maine gem mines onto his property in the Windsor, Maine area, in which collectors can dig for garnets and other gem stones by paying a fee per each bucket of dirt. The actual location is described as being located off Route 1, Wiscasset, Maine, near Huber's Restaurant. The place is also locally known as Mine and Dine.
Ryerson Hill Mines, Paris
Recently, over 45 mineral species have been recorded in these mines. Among others, almandine garnets. The location is within walking distance from Ryerson Hill Road.
Mount Mica Mine, Paris
Mount Mica happens to be the oldest operating gem mine in the United States. It is famous for tourmaline but also produces a wide variety of minerals and gemstones, such as garnet and beryl. The mine belongs to Gary Freeman.
Sandy Point Beach, Cousins Island, Yarmouth
When you come to Sandy Point Beach there is a beach parking area on the Cousins Island side of the Ellis C. Snodgrass Memorial Bridge, also dubbed the Cousins Island Bridge. You can follow the access road from the west side of the parking lot down to the beach close to the bridge. There is a sand spit at the beach alongside the bridge that contains mostly small crystals or fragments of purple almandine garnet. You can find larger stones in the tidal area near the shore of the part of beach that is located below the north side of the beach parking lot.
Tags: Cousins Island, beach parking, Bumpus Quarry, Hermit Island, Huber Restaurant, Mount Mica
