NEW MEXICO

State Gemstone: Turquoise (1967)
State Fossil: Coelophysis (1981)

New Mexico, known as “The Land of Enchantment” is a great place for rockhounds. Here, you’ll find a large variety of rocks, minerals, gemstones, and fossils. Turquoise is another great find. It was mined in Santa Fe in pre-Columbian times.

The best rockhounding sites in New Mexico are in the state’s National Forests and wilderness areas, including mining dumps, stream gravels, and rocky surfaces. Public lands like Rockhound State Park and Jemez National Recreation Area are also great places.

These are a few of the things you may want to take along with you on your dig:

A small, handheld garden rake
A handheld trowel
Knee pads or an old cushion to kneel/sit on
A bucket, for holding your finds
Newspaper or grocery bags to wrap and protect your crystals

While digging crystals you will probably be outside for a long time. You may want to bring:

Water
Snacks
A wide hat
Sunscreen
Bug spray, and a small first aid kit (Quartz can be sharp!)

PECOS DIAMONDS IN NEW MEXICO

MINE INFORMATON
The Crystal Collector and his nephew Dylan found out that this location digging for Pecos Diamonds in New Mexico is epic! Watch the video for the inside scoop on directions to this location! It’s on BLM land so it is open to the public. Just bring yourself and look for the decayed out gypsum areas and sometimes not, just look close to the ground and they are there in lots of areas! 

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
Pecos Diamond
Pecos Diamonds
Pecos Diamonds

ROSWELL NEW MEXICO

MINE INFORMATON
Visiting Roswell, New Mexico collecting Pecos Diamonds, which are actually quartz Crystals!

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
Amos holding a Pecos Diamond
Pecos Diamonds
UFO
Dylan Ross

AZURITE & MALACHITE CRYSTAL MINING

MINE INFORMATON
The Crystal Collector and friends search 100 year old tailings for Azurite, Malachite, Smithsonite, and more! The location is the Graphic Mine in New Mexico. Search on Facebook for their page to go digging.

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
Azurite and Malachite
Azurite, Malachite, Smithsonite
Azurite, Malachite, Smithsonite

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.