NEW HAMPSHIRE
State Rock: Granite (1985)
State Gem: Smoky Quartz (1985)
State Mineral: Beryl (1985)
New Hampshire is certainly not lacking for gemstones to find.
Beryl is a gemstone commonly found in the abundant granite rocks in New Hampshire. Beryl refers to a family of minerals that includes emerald (green), aquamarine (aquamarine blue), morganite (pink), heliodore (yellow-green), golden beryl (yellow) and goshenite (colorless).
New Hampshire’s iconic ‘Old Man of the Mountain’ was composed of Jurassic Conway granite.
The best places to rockhound in New Hampshire are along hillsides and mountain ridges where pegmatite minerals are exposed. The Moat Mountain site is popular with collectors for finding Smoky Quartz on Feldspar, as are old quarries and mines. Gold panning in streams and rivers can be particularly fruitful in the northern part of the state.
MOAT MOUNTAIN Mineral Site Trailhead
(603) 447-5448
North Street, Conway, NH
NORTH MOAT MOUNTAIN
Bartlett, NH
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Screwdriver
- Gloves
- Garden Trowel
- 3 prong hand cultivator
- 1 or 2 buckets
- Medium size pry bar
- Knee pads or something to kneel on
- Food/drinks
INFORMATON
A mineral collection permit is required to collect mineral specimens on White Mountain National Forest. However, mineral collection permits are free and can be obtained at trailheads of authorized mineral collection areas.
Disclaimer
Please note that rock collecting locations are always changing so be sure to check with the site owner for the most current information before going.
Dig safe, never go underground, and make sure to get permission from the landowner to search for and collect rocks.