Rockhound Locations in New Jersey
Here at Rockhounding Maps, we give you access and information to the best dig sites for crystals and minerals in New Jersey. On top of that, we’ve created a resource page to assist with answering all of your gem and mineral collecting questions.
We hope you enjoy your time on our site and come back often because we’re always adding new dig locations and crystal collecting updates. This is a great resource for anyone who loves rockhounding, from beginners to experts alike!
Rockhounding in New Jersey is a great way to discover the state’s diverse geology and fossilized wildlife. The number of potential collecting sites here makes it an excellent location for those interested not only in rocks, but also minerals that can be found within them!
We are here for any questions or concerns that might arise about your adventures in mineral collecting.
New Jersey Rockhound Locations
Are you an avid rockhound looking for the best spots to collect New Jersey’s finest gems and minerals? Then look no further. The best rockhound locations in New Jersey are Burlington County, Bergen County, Higbee Beach, and Franklin Furnace. You’ll find quartz, calcite, and amethyst in these locations, among many other minerals.
Have you ever dreamed of going on a rock-hounding adventure in New Jersey? There are quite a few locations to dig for crystals, gems, Amethyst, Garnet, Geodes, and Agate. With its diverse landscape, New Jersey can be a perfect place for you to hunt for rocks!
Be polite wherever you explore. Always pack out what you packed in. Meaning if you stop for a snack while rockhounding at any site, clean up after yourself and pack your trash items back out with you.
Always do your research regarding laws and regulations, and don’t forget to ask for permission to access an area and collect specimens.
This article will discuss the top rockhound locations in New Jersey and the different types of rocks and minerals you can collect. Don’t forget to make it to the bottom of the page because we list out the best rock and mineral societies in the state. If you’re serious about collecting rocks then you’ll want to join one of these amazing clubs.
If you’re an active rock collector in New Jersey then send us an email about your favorite locations and we will feature you on the site and we might sponsor you as well. That’s right, we will pay you to go dig for rocks and minerals.
So, if you’re ready to embark on a rock-hounding journey, then grab your rock hammer, and let’s get started!
Dig For Gems
| Location Name | Longitude and Latitude | Rocks and Gemstones |
|---|---|---|
| Hoboken | 40.750164, -74.038344 | Magnesite, Serpentine |
| Montville | 40.921995, -74.358675 | Serpentine |
| Mine Hill | 40.872944, -74.610580 | Apatite, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite |
| Hibernia | 40.944935, -74.492788 | Garnet |
| Nolands Point | 40.947967, -74.614426 | Prehnite |
| Morris County | 40.935992, -74.523195 | Diopside, Serpentine |
| Turkey Mountain | 40.939707, -74.375567 | Allanite, Amphibole, Augite, Chalcopyrite, Chondrodite, Coccolite crystals |
| Mount Hope | 40.937156, -74.540046 | Apatite, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite |
| Sulphur Hill Mine | 41.007162, -74.733356 | Willemite (fluorescent) |
Burlington County offers a plethora of rockhounding opportunities. The county has a diverse range of marl and gravel deposits, especially near the Delaware River and its tributaries. The best spots for rockhounding in Burlington County are the Rancocas Creek, the Pine Barrens, and the Batsto River.
- Rancocas Creek has large deposits of Quartz and mica
- Pine Barrens is home to Garnet and Beryl
- Batsto River is an excellent spot for finding Quartz, mica, and other minerals
Bergen County is a treasure trove of geological wonders! Here you’ll find Agates, Amethyst, and Carnelian.
Popular locations in the county include the Palisades Interstate Park. This area offers access to various basalt and diabase outcrops and exposures. The outcrops contain Agates, Amethyst crystals, and geodes. The Ramapo Mountains, which stretch from Bergen County into New York, are also ideal areas to collect Carnelian.
Dig For Agate
| Location Name | Longitude and Latitude | Rocks and Gemstones |
|---|---|---|
| Bergen County | 40.965352, -74.054168 | Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Chalcedony |
| Houdaille Quarry | 40.710012, -74.334787 | Agate, Prehnite, Amethyst |
| Bergen Hill by Hudson River | 40.710794, -74.054281 | Banded Agate, Calcite crystals, Epidote, Galena, Malachite, Opal, Quartz crystals, Siderite |
| Snake Hill | 40.758144, -74.089279 | Banded Agate, Amethyst, Calcite crystals, Epidote |
| Bayonne to Edgewater | 40.663434, -74.109933 | Banded Agate, Albite, Amethyst, Calcite crystals, Galena, Quartz crystals |
| Hoboken area | 40.750164, -74.038344 | Agate, Amethyst, Opal (common, fire) |
| The Palisades | 40.950041, -73.920221 | Banded Agate |
| Warren Township | 40.629779, -74.531164 | Moss Agate, Banded Agate, Jasper, Chalcedony, Petrified wood |
| Haledon | 40.936539, -74.194281 | Agate, Datolite crystals, Pyrolusite, Goethite |
| Prospect Park Quarry | 40.940394, -74.174820 | Banded Agate, Chalcedony, Opal |
| Pompton Lakes | 41.005397, -74.307109 | Banded Agate |
| Washington Crossing State Park | 40.309345, -74.864206 | Jasper |
| Bound Brook | 40.589000, -74.567814 | Agate, Calcite, Quartz crystals, Cuprite, Malachite, Tourmaline |
| Kingston, Trap Rock Quarry | 40.397123, -74.609455 | Agate, Quartz crystals |
| Somerville | 40.584732, -74.567161 | Agate, Quartz crystals, Serpentine |
| Burlington County | 40.065041, -74.935436 | Jasper, Agate |
| Camden County | 39.956084, -75.103247 | Jasper, Agate |
Higbee Beach is an excellent rockhounding location in New Jersey. Located in Cape May, the beach is home to unique Quartz crystals famously known as the ‘Cape May Diamonds’. These Quartz crystals have weathered out of the Appalachian Mountains and traveled down the Delaware River before washing up on the shore.
These sparkling gems can range in size from tiny pebbles to large stones. You’ll find them around the beach’s sand and rocky shoreline. In addition to the Quartz crystals, visitors may also find a variety of other gems and minerals, including Garnets, mica, and Diopside. So, bring a bucket or bag to collect your finds!
Dig For Crystals
| Location Name | Longitude and Latitude | Rocks and Gemstones |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean County | 39.748826, -74.105874 | Quartz crystals, Cape May Diamonds |
| Long Branch | 40.304727, -73.977186 | Quartz crystals |
| Manasquan | 40.112724, -74.031794 | Quartz crystals, Cape May Diamonds, Fossils, Petrified wood |
| Shark River | 40.200231, -74.072770 | Amber |
| Crosswick’s Creek | 40.166619, -74.670640 | Amber |
| Burlington, Riverside, Riverton | 40.039558, -74.977633 | Amber |
| Vincentown | 39.933535, -74.756272 | Amber |
| Mullica Hill | 39.733109, -75.220161 | Amber, Fossils |
| Sayreville | 40.438690, -74.329792 | Marcasite, Pyrite crystals, Petrified wood |
| Rock Hill Quarry | 40.396913, -74.616812 | Albite, Chalcocite, Chrysocolla, Galena, Goethite, Malachite, Tourmaline |
| Oxford Furnace mining dumps | 40.793830, -75.012146 | Magnetite |
| Phillipsburg | 40.647258, -75.190007 | Serpentine, Soapstone |
| Clinton | 40.633097, -74.951489 | Braunite |
| Lambertville | 40.323586, -74.911960 | Axinite crystals, Tourmaline |
Franklin Furnace has unique geological formations. These formations make it an ideal location for both amateur and experienced rockhounds. The area is located in Sussex County and is famous for its Fluorite, Serpentine, and Magnetite specimens. You’ll also find a variety of Quartz, Calcite, and Dolomite crystals.
Franklin Furnace is also home to rarer minerals such as Willemite, Zincite, and Andradite. The rare minerals make it an excellent spot for rockhounding in New Jersey.
Dig For Geodes
| Location Name | Longitude and Latitude | Rocks and Gemstones |
|---|---|---|
| Barnardsville area quarries | 40.709549, -74.573952 | Geodes, Quartz |
| Bergen County | 40.965352, -74.054168 | Geodes, Carnelian, Chalcedony |
Where Can I Go Rockhounding in NJ?
You can go rockhounding in Burlington County, Bergen County, Higbee Beach, and Franklin Furnace in NJ. You’ll find Quartz, mica, Garnet, and Beryl at Burlington County. Bergen County offers Agates, Amethyst, and Carnelian, while Higbee Beach gives you the ‘Cape May Diamonds’. Finally, you’ll get Quartz, Calcite, and Dolomite crystals in Franklin Furnace.
Where Can I Find Amethyst in NJ?
You can dig and collect Amethyst crystals in Bergen County, NJ. For a unique experience, you can even take a guided mining tour and try digging for Amethyst yourself.
Rock And Mineral Societies
Rock and mineral societies and clubs are a great way to learn more about rocks and minerals. They also allow rockhounds to connect with like-minded individuals. Here are four societies and clubs you can join in New Jersey.
The Cape-Atlantic Rockhounds Club is a local rock and mineral society in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The club allows members to learn more about these fascinating geological materials. Members can attend monthly meetings and take part in field trips to collect specimens from local sites.
For those looking to learn more about the science of geology, the club offers classes and workshops on various topics. These topics range from mineral identification to rock tumbling.
Delaware Valley Earth Science Society (DVESS)
DVESS is a non-profit organization based in New Jersey that promotes studying, appreciating, and conservating rocks, minerals, and fossils. The Society’s members are passionate about the earth sciences. The Society host regular events like lectures, field trips, and workshops.
DVESS is an excellent way for those in New Jersey to connect with other rock and mineral enthusiasts and get involved in the local geology community. The membership fees are as follows:
- Regular membership rate of $20 per year and an extra $5, adding family members
- Senior annual membership rate of $10 and an extra $5 for family members
Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society
The Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society is a group of dedicated rock and mineral enthusiasts. Members participate in field trips, mineral shows, and educational programs and activities.
The Society offers various resources for those interested in learning more about rocks and minerals. The Society also hosts an annual show and sale, where members can buy, sell, and trade rocks, minerals, and fossils. You can join the club by paying a yearly fee of $40 for an individual and $50 for a family membership.
Friends of Mineralogy NJ Chapter
Friends of Mineralogy NJ Chapter is a group of mineral enthusiasts who aim to protect, support and promote the mineral collection. They have monthly meetings where they discuss different topics related to:
- Mineralogy
- Geology
- Lapidary
- Paleontology
The group also hosts shows and events where they can share their knowledge and passion for minerals with others. Whether a novice or a seasoned collector, you’ll find something to enjoy in this group.
You can join by paying an annual membership fee of $20 for individuals and $30 for families.
