NEW YORK
State Gemstone: Garnet (1969)
State Fossil: Eurypterus Remipes (1984)
New York is well known for its ‘Herkimer Diamonds’ – which are unique quartz crystals.
New York is also home to one of the best museums for rockhounds, The American Museum of Natural History.
The best places to rockhound in New York are the mines and streambeds of the Adirondack Mountains, the Herkimer Diamond mines near Middleville, the banks of the Hudson River, and the many mines and quarries of central and western New York.
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!)
AREA 51
Private Claim
MINE INFORMATON
We are digging some of the largest Herkimer diamonds in the world!
These formed around 450 Million years ago in ancient stromatolite fossil pockets. The Appalachian mountains helped the formation of these crystals along with many other geological events!
AREA 52
Private Claim
MINE INFORMATON
Area 51 turns into area 52! Groundbreaking day as we found some really nice crystals, be sure to subscribe because day to get even crazier!
So many Herkimer diamond quartz crystals found in New York here at the spot! This is a private location, but it just comes to show how many areas there are out there that you can go out and search for yourself and locate to dig.
Mercedes Varnado, aka Sasha Banks digging with The Crystal Collector™, aka Bryan Major
MINE INFORMATON
Dirty Diamond Diggers is a private location
MINE INFORMATON
Soul Phamily Farm is the dream realized for all our Soul Phamily. What we are and what we become is written in the stars and recorded in the crystals. A place of LOVE to be together, to create, to destroy, to grow and share.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
– Eye Protection and Gloves
– Short Handle Hoe
– Small Shovel
– Heavy Duty Garden Tools Including
– Trowel
– Kneel Pad
– Hand Fork
– Shears for pesky roots
– Long Screw Driver
– Short Crow Bar
– 2 Five Gallon Buckets
This will get you started. Please get creative. Most if not all of these tools can be found second hand.
Please Bring Lunch and Water
There will be Munchies, Music, Hydration Beverages and Merchandise available at The Shakedown Shack on-site if you run out!!!
HOURS/PRICES
CLICK HERE
PRIVATE LOCATION
Embark on a mesmerizing crystal adventure with the Crystal Collector! ? Join us as we travel across the country in search of breathtaking crystals. In this episode, we explore a private location with Will from HD Quartz, uncovering the hidden treasures of Herkimer diamond quartz crystals. Witness the magic of nature’s artistry as we share our epic journey and the stunning discoveries along the way.
PRIVATE LOCATION
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
There are many ways to dig crystals, but at this location, we are using only hand tools, no machinery is allowed at this site. We are Buster’s personal dig location at The Ace of Diamonds.
Thanks to “Buster” for letting us dig and show us the correct procedure for mining these beautiful crystals!
PRIVATE LOCATION
MINE INFORMATON
They are around 450 million years old, and being unearthed for the very first time! what a thrill to see these crystals being birthed!
MINE INFORMATON
Come prepared for outdoor activity, rain or shine. Wear old clothes, shoes suitable for climbing over rocks and walking in mud, gloves, hats, safety glasses, collecting containers, sun block or rain ponchos. Bring your own tools if you have them, or you can buy or rent our prospector’s tools. Power tools are not allowed.
If you like, bring your lunch and rest in our picnic area. The Rock Shop keeps cold soda, ice cream, candy, etc., available for a quick snack.
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
- Sledge Hammer
HOURS
9 am – 5 pm
OPEN 7 days a week, April 1st – Oct. 31st
PRICES
Adult (Age 8 years or older) $14
Child (Age 4 to 7 years) $7
Child (Age 3 years or younger) FREE!
TOOL RENTALS
Hammers, chisels, gardening tools, buckets $1 each
Most small tools are available to rent for only $1.00 each.
Sledge Hammer $4 each
Sledge Hammers range in weight from 8 lbs. to 12 lbs.
Sluice Kit $6 per set
Includes 1 course screen, 1 fine screen, 1 plastic scoop.
*For sanitary reasons, gloves and safety glasses are available for purchase, but are not available to rent.
MINE INFORMATON
Open to the public huge Herkimer Quartz Crystal Diamond location!
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Screwdriver
- Gloves
- 3 prong hand cultivator
- 1 or 2 buckets
- Medium size pry bar
- Knee pads or something to kneel on
- Food/drinks
HOURS & PRICES
FULL DAY DIG (Ages 12+)
$100 per person
9 Hours of Mining 9 AM-6 PM
One time purchase of $25 for MVMM hardhat is due at first visit in addition to dig price.
CHILD DIG (Ages 4-11)
Children ages 4-11
MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.
$50 per child
9 Hours of Mining 9 AM-6 PM
GROUP DIG (8+ people)
Bring all of your friends and family!
For groups of 8 or more, prices drop to $75 per person. (Pricing listed here subject to change based on the number of people in your group)
9 Hours of Mining 9AM-6PM
*Please contact us prior to booking your group dig for confirmation of availability.
FAMILY DIG
2 adults and their children under 18.
$250 per family
9 Hours of Mining 9AM-6PM
*Please contact us prior to booking your group dig for confirmation of availability.
Please note: All diggers must purchase an MVMM hardhat at the time of their first dig. Each hardhat is $25 and acts as your membership card. No other hardhats are accepted
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.
We’ve listed several locations here but there may be many more that are not listed.
Dig safe, never go underground, and make sure to get permission from the landowner to search for and collect rocks.