TENNESSEE
State Rock: Calcium Carbonate (1979)
State Gem: Pearl (1979)
State Mineral: Agate (2009)
State Fossil: Pterotrigonia thoracica (1998)
Tennessee provides a rare opportunity to find freshwater pearls in the Tennessee River and its tributaries.
In Tennessee it is fairly common to find quartz-family mineral specimens like agate, jasper, and petrified wood.
In Cannon County you can search for, and find Geodes.
The Mountains of the Cumberland Plateau and central Tennessee are where you can find unique Agate specimens. Be sure to check out Horse Mountain in particular.
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!)
DOUGLAS LAKE
Tennessee
MINE INFORMATON
Douglas Lake “Diamonds” which are actually quartz Crystal points. They do however look a lot and even form similar to Herkimer Diamond crystals in New York but this is In Tennessee!!
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Screwdriver
- Gloves
- Garden Trowel
- 3 prong hand cultivator
- 1 or 2 buckets
- Knee pads or something to kneel on
- Food/drinks
PRIVATELY OWNED PROPERTY
Decatur County, Tennessee
MINE INFORMATON
There is a location is Tennessee to find cool little gypsum aka: selenite crystals!
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
No digging allowed – only surface collecting. Bring buckets
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 a couple of 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.