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!)
BLANCHARD MINE in NEW MEXICO
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
While digging, don’t forget to visit Allison’s epic rock shop loaded with world-class specimens — from deep blue fluorite to rare Trinitite, created during the first atomic bomb test in 1945. She even has some stunning Linarite, Azurite, and fossils.
RED CLOUD MINE in NEW MEXICO
MINE INFORMATON
The Red Cloud Mine is packed with history — named after the fearless Chief Red Cloud, and these tailings we’re digging are over 100 YEARS OLD. Every flip of the shovel could reveal something incredible… and wow, did we score big!!
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 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
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
GRAPHIC MINE
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 “Bill’s Rock Shop in Magdalena” for information to dig at this location.
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
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.