TEXAS
State Rock: Petrified Palm Wood (1969)
State Gemstone: Texas Blue Topaz (1969)
State Dinosaur: Paluxysaurus Jonesi (2009)
Texas is not only known for its sedimentary basins and oil and gas indusustry, but the state also contains a wide range of rocks, minerals, gemstones, and fossils. You can also find one of the nations finest history museums in Texas.
Texas is the one and only place in the world where you can find Blue Topaz.
The best rockhounding locations in Texas are the gravel beds of the Rio Grande, the area around Big Bend, Mason County in central Texas, and a wide stretch of land stretching from south Texas to the Louisiana border.
Don’t even bother with the panhandle or northern Texas.
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!)
UNDERGROUND MERCURY MINE
Turlingua, Texas
MINE INFORMATON
Check out this old abandoned 1900’s mine which now showcases walls of beautiful calcite crystals! What a beautiful area and right at the Big Bend National Park.
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.