Rockhounding for Quartz and Minerals in Arkansas

by Mark

Arkansas is the best place for quartz crystal rockhounders. Arkansas rockhounding sites also have other rare and important minerals and gemstones for rockhounding. Some to mention in this direction are diamonds, wavellite, fossils, dolomite and exotic minerals. Arkansas rockhounding sites have abundant sources of minerals and gemstones that are sure to keep rockhounders and mineralogists busy in their activity of hunting and collecting. Quartz being a vital mineral on earth is found in abundance in the Arkansas region. The second abundant mineral found in the Arkansas region is wavellite.

Arkansas is the best place for quartz crystal rockhounders. Arkansas rockhounding sites also have other rare and important minerals and gemstones for rockhounding. Some to mention in this direction are diamonds, wavellite, fossils, dolomite and exotic minerals. Arkansas rockhounding sites have abundant sources of minerals and gemstones that are sure to keep rockhounders and mineralogists busy in their activity of hunting and collecting. Quartz being a vital mineral on earth is found in abundance in the Arkansas region. The second abundant mineral found in the Arkansas region is wavellite.

Sources for References while Rockhounding for Quartz and Minerals in Arkansas:

Rockhounders, before they begin rockhounding for quartz and minerals in Arkansas must refer to various resources to get more detailed information. Some of the vital resources to name are-

* Books and Guides: There are various books and guides written by experienced rockhounders which detail their experiences during rockhounding for quartz and minerals in Arkansas. One instance to name in this direction is the guide called ‘Collecting Crystals, the Guide to Quartz in Arkansas’

* Internet Resources: Rockhounders can refer to internet sources which will give abundant knowledge on carrying out quartz and mineral rockhounding in Arkansas.

* Clubs and Groups: There are numerous rockhounding groups and clubs around Arkansas area which rockhounders can join and benefit from the same.

* Archeological State Parks: Rockhounders can visit archeological state parks like Hampson Museum State Park, Parkin Archeological State Park, Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park, Oil And Brine Museum, Hot Springs National Park, Bauxite Museum, Mid-America Museum, Arkansas Geological Commission, Discovery Museum and Hot Spring County Museum. All these help rockhounders gain knowledge on minerals in Arkansas.

Important Sites for Quartz and Minerals Rockhounding at Arkansas:

There are numerous sites for rockhounders to carry out quartz and minerals rockhounding in Arkansas. Some of the vital locations to mention are:

* Jeffrey Quarry: Jeffrey Quarry is located at North Little Rock in Arkansas which is the best place and most visited place by rockhounders for quartz rockhounding. In addition to quartz, rockhounders can also collect thousands of small clusters and highly lustrous groups of transparent colorless crystals.

* Rush Creek Mining District: Rush Creek Mining District is located in Marion county in Arkansas and is the best place marked for mineral rockhounding. Some of the vital minerals rockhounders can rockhound in this region are smithsonite in wide range of colors namely yellow, golden, brown, reddish brown, gray,
and green, calcite, dolomite rhombs on druzy quartz and sphalerite coated with oriented growths of chalcopyrite crystals.

* Magnet Cove: Magnet Cove in Arkansas has a variety of unusual minerals and thus is marked as a popular site for mineral rockhounders. There are also numerous magazines published that give special details about rocks and minerals present in this area. These could be referred by rockhounders for carrying out rockhounding in this area efficiently.

* Crater of Diamonds State Park: Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is open for rockhounders on all days and is marked as one of the best place in world for diamond rockhounding. There are also few other minerals that are usually present with diamonds like pink garnet and opaque black shiny grains which rockhounders can find in abundance at this site. Rockhounders can refer to the free pamphlet released by Arkansas Geological Commission and articles written by mineralogist record breaker Dr. Al Kidwell. All these references would help new rockhounders to rockhound easily in this region. There is also a park museum which has a series of educational displays and a slide presentation that guides well for any new rockhounders of this region.

* Rockhounding for diamond at this site in Arkansas can be carried out by rockhounders based on their availability of time. For instance, if rockhounders have only little time to rockhound at this region they can carry out the process of surface searching or surface screening. Also, an important tip while rockhounding for diamonds in this region is to visit it immediately after a rain, as diamond has the attribute of being exposed in the soil immediately after a rain.

* Some other important quartz and mineral rockhounding sites in Arkansas are Fiddler’s Ridge, Leatherhead. The leatherhead site is normally taken as a group trip for rockhounders by the Northwest Arkansas Gem and Mineral Club.

* Ouachita National Forest land: Ouachita National Forest land in Arkansas is abundant in wavellite. Rockhounders can carry samples from this site in hand for personal use but are not allowed to take samples for commercial purpose.

* Montgomery Co. Quarry: Montgomery Co. Quarry in Arkansas is located to the northwest of Mount Ida about 2.5 miles, and is abundant in wavellite. This site is also termed as Mauldin Mountain. Wavellite in interesting colors and specials shades like bright green, apple green, and pale green are available at this site.

* Cob and Eden Falls: Cob and Eden Falls is located in Devil’s Den State Park at Lost Valley State Park Arkansas near Ponca, Newton County. This site has two free caves and rockhounders must carry their own snacks and water while rockhounding to this site. This free site has no guides for reference and so rockhounders must make sure to know the regulations and rules before visiting the site.

Rules to keep in mind

It is very important that rockhounders take care to be aware of the rules and regulations before rockhounding for quartz or minerals in Arkansans. This is vital because each rockhounding site has its own rules and regulations. For instance, at Crater of Diamonds State Park, rockhounders are allowed to carry their own equipment for rockhounding but they must ensure to carry it back that night and wheeled equipments are not allowed inside the site.

Arkansans is the best site for rockhounders to rockhound quartz and even real diamonds with perfect rocks on each. Rockhounders must carry vital tools like safety glasses for eye protection, a nice pair of gloves to protect their hands, camping lenses equipped with compasses, display cases or storage cases, cushions, sunscreen, food and drink, bug spray and so on. Advanced rockhounders must make sure to carry variety of hammers which could be used for splitting and crushing the rock.