Where in California can you dig for gems?
Where You Can Find Minerals and Gemstones in California?
- Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande District, California.
- Gold Prospecting Adventures, Jamestown, California.
- The OceanView Mine, San Diego County, California.
- Opal Hill Mine, Mule Mountains District, Riverside Co., California.
Where can you dig crystals in the Bay Area?
If you’ve been on the hunt for a unique day trip that’s bound to end in adventure, consider a visit to the Crystal Mine near Loyalton, California. Hiding within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Crystal Mine can be found off of Long Valley Road and just before you reach Lookout Campground.
Where can I find gemstones in northern California?

The best places to rockhound in Northern California include locations near the towns of Crescent City and Eureka, as well as Siskiyou, Trinity, Modoc, and Mendocino Counties. A wide variety of rocks and minerals can be found in local streams and rivers including agate, jasper, gold, and jade.
Where is the best place to find gemstones in California?
1: Traverse Creek. Traverse Creek is a well-known historical landmark that was made famous by William Louis Stifle. After obtaining a deed to the area, he heavily mined it for serpentine before finding large deposits of quartz, amethyst, tremolite, and other minerals. Many of them are found in the form of geodes.
Can diamonds be found in California?
Although California has produced over 600 diamonds, some of which have been of gem quality, the largest until recently weighed approximately 6 ct. In the early 1980s, however, Edgar J. Clark found a 3.90 ct stone; in 1987, he discovered three stones weighing 32.99, 17.83, and 14.33 ct.

Where can you find geodes in California?
The finest concentration of geode sites in Southern California is in Riverside and Imperial counties. The most famous of these sites is called the Hauser Geode Beds, which are located at Wiley Well in the northern region of Imperial Valley, CA.
Where are the rocks in the Bay Area?
One good site is at the south end of McClure’s Beach, where beautiful quartzites and schists are among the large boulders lying at the foot of the cliff. These rocks also appear at Heart’s Desire Beach (Tomales State Park), near Mount Vision on Inverness Ridge, and at Teachers Beach just north of Inverness.
Where can I find garnet in California?
California Garnet Localities are in Siskiyou, El Dorado, Fresno, Tulare, Butte, and Orange Counties.
Where can I find geodes in California?
Are there still gold mines in California?
Nope. Throughout the five counties containing the gold belt, only one gold mine is active, and only intermittently. Other exploration projects have folded, too. John Clinkenbeard with the California Geological Survey says that’s because the mineral itself is only one component of an economical operation.
How much are California diamonds worth?
A prospector finding such a relative rarity can expect to receive approximately $2.00/gram. Large white stones usually have a lesser value, depending on size and clarity.
How do you tell if a rock is a geode?
Tell-Tale Signs of a Geode
- Geodes are usually spherical, but they always have a bumpy surface.
- Geodes will sometimes have loose material inside, which can be heard when shaking the rock.
- Geodes are usually lighter than their size would indicate since the interior doesn’t contain any material.
Where can I prospect for gem hunting in California?
Gold Prospecting Adventures, Jamestown, California. Gold Prospecting Adventures, LLC has built a solid reputation throughout California’s Gold Country as the best of the best for gem hunting in california. We are the leading professionals in gold prospecting and gold rush history.
Where can I mine for gemstones in California?
Most of these mines are situated in the California southern region. Locations of some of these gemstone mines: Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande District, California. The Himalaya Tourmaline Mine is located near Santa Ysabel, CA at Lake Henshaw in the beautiful Mesa Grande is the best place for gem hunting in california.
Where can I Hunt Opal in California?
Opal Hill, located in eastern California near the border of Arizona, is known for its beautiful opal eggs, quartz crystals, and wonderful fire agates so it is one of the best places for gem hunting in california. Sometimes called Coon Hollow, this site is located deep in the Mule Mountains not far from Palo Verde, CA.
What are the best places to Rock Hunt in San Jose?
San Jose and Santa Clara County contain several fantastic rockhounding locations. Particularly of note is the Morgan Hill area which is famous for its beautiful ‘poppy jasper’. Other minerals to be found in the area include siderite, chert, cinnabar, and agate.
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