SOUTH CAROLINA
State Rock: Blue Granite (1969)
State Gemstone: Amethyst (1969)
When Rockhounds think of South Carolina, they think of Amethyst. That beautiful, deep dark purple draws people in from far and wide in hopes of bringing home chunks of those pure, heavenly crystals of Amethyst.
Did you know that Amethyst colors range from light purple tints to nearly black.
Amethyst isn’t the only crystal you can find in South Carolina though. The most commonly collected rocks, etc. include Amethyst, Quartz, Petrified wood, Agate, Garnet, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Kyanite, Barite, and even Megalodon Teeth.
Below you will find the name and locations of some of the best places for you to do your digging.
Some of the mines have tools available to rent and others don’t. Most allow you to bring your own tools. We will provide as much information about what to expect and/or bring to each dig site below.
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!)
DIAMOND HILL MINE
100 Diamond Mine Rd, Abbeville, SC 29620
(864) 934-3744
MINE INFORMATON
Some of the best Amethyst, Smoky, Skeletal (Elestial), Angle Plated, Iron & Manganese Oxide coated, Aura, and other crystals can be found here! Other minerals including Beryl, Garnet and Epidote have also been recovered here!
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
HOURS:
9 am – 5 pm Monday – Friday
PRICING:
Adult: 18+ – $20
Teen: 13-17 – $10
Senior: 65+ – $10
Children: 6-12 – $5
5 & under are free
Discounts:
Veteran: $15
Non-Collector is free (non-collectors are not allowed in collecting area, only in vending or parking area.)
PALMETTO FOSSIL EXCURSIONS
Shark Tooth Hunting
128 Sandhill Rd., Dorchester, SC 29437
(843) 908-0227
Contact Palmetto Fossil Excursions for guided tours at CLICK HERE
MINE INFORMATON
3 different tour packages to choose from: Creek Excursions, Dry Digs, and Surface hunting tours (upon request only and must be booked within 3 days prior to date).
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Screwdriver
- Gloves
- 3 prong hand cultivator
- 1 or 2 buckets
- Shovel
- Knee pads or something to kneel on
- Food/drinks
PURPLE HEART MINE
Private Dig Site
South Carolina
MINE INFORMATON
This is an exclusive dig site that is currently not open to the public. Join The Crystal Collector on FaceBook and become a supporter for opportunities to dig with him on exclusive digs and so much more. Only .99 a month https://www.facebook.com/Thecrystalcollector
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
CUNNINGHAM FARM
MINE INFORMATON
This is an exclusive dig site that is currently not open to the public. Join The Crystal Collector on FaceBook and become a supporter for opportunities to dig with him on exclusive digs and so much more. Only .99 a month https://www.facebook.com/Thecrystalcollector
JOHNSON CREEK FARMS
291 County Rd S-1-36, Iva, SC 29655
MINE INFORMATON
This is an exclusive dig site that is currently not open to the public. Join The Crystal Collector on FaceBook and become a supporter for opportunities to dig with him on exclusive digs and so much more. Only .99 a month https://www.facebook.com/Thecrystalcollector
HOURS
Closed
PRICING:
Closed
ELLIS MINE
Private Location
South Carolina
MINE INFORMATON
This is an exclusive dig site that is currently not open to the public. Join The Crystal Collector on FaceBook and become a supporter for opportunities to dig with him on exclusive digs and so much more. Only .99 a month https://www.facebook.com/Thecrystalcollector
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.
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.