Rockhounding in New Hampshire: Uncovering the State’s Hidden Gems
New Hampshire is blessed with some of the most beautiful and interesting rock formations in the United States. It offers rockhounds of all levels ample opportunity to uncover precious minerals, gemstones, and rocks.
From the lofty heights of Moat Mountain to the Coos County’s rugged terrain, hikers and rock collectors alike are sure to find something that piques their interest. In this article, we will explore the best rockhounding sites in New Hampshire, join rockhounding clubs, examine various rock formations and minerals found in the state, and swoon over the exquisite gemstone finds.
Best Rockhounding Sites in New Hampshire
Moat Mountain
Moat Mountain is an excellent place for rockhounding during the summer. The mountain is located in North Conway near the White Mountains and is particularly popular for its spectacular views of Mount Washington and the Saco River Valley.
The area around Moat Mountain is abundant in different types of rocks and minerals. The most commonly found rocks include granite, mica, schist, and gneiss.
Rockhounds who walk around the granite ledges often come across topaz, smoky quartz crystals, and amazonite.
Deer Hill
Deer Hill is another fantastic rockhounding site in New Hampshire’s southwestern region. Its most common minerals are gneiss, mica, and feldspar.
Rockhounds especially love this site because of the pockets or vein-like formations, which often contain rare gneiss and crystal assemblages. The hunt can also lead to another fantastic mineral that rock hunters might find: dravite, a type of black tourmaline.
Lord Hill
Lord Hill is located in southern New Hampshire and is home to a variety of geologic formations that rockhounds can explore. A major attraction in the region is an abandoned mica mine that rockhounds can visit.
The mine’s walls are rich with coarse-grained mica, and while the surface area of the mine is small, there is plenty to explore in the surrounding area. The Hill also boasts of igneous rocks like basalt and olivine and potassium feldspar.
Joining Rockhounding Clubs
Rockhounding is not just an individual sport; there are plenty of clubs to join, exchange knowledge and expertise, and improve your rockhounding skills. In New Hampshire, several events, shows, and clubs cater to rockhounds at different levels.
Here are some clubs open to all enthusiasts:
Capital Mineral Club
This nonprofit organization is run by volunteers who love to collect, study, and share knowledge about rocks, minerals, and gems. The
Capital Mineral Club is perfect for novice rockhounds because the volunteers are always ready to teach newbies about rock identification, mineral properties, and rockhounding literature.
Gilsum Rock Swap and Mineral Show
At Gilsum, you will be part of a vibrant community of rockhounds exchanging knowledge and expertise about rock collecting. Founded in 1961, Gilsum holds a range of monthly meetings, runs workshops, arranges field trips to various rock hunting locations, and hosts an annual mineral show that brings together local, national, and international rock dealers and collectors.
Keene Mineral Club
New Hampshire is famous for its well-proportioned and geometric crystals, and the
Keene Mineral Club is where enthusiasts can go to exchange knowledge and expertise on these precious formations. The club encourages rockhounds to collect rock specimens from the region and teaches how to work with them.
The club also holds monthly meetings and organizes trips to various sites. Presidential Gem & Mineral Society
The Presidential Gem & Mineral Society holds monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of every month, except July and August.
Meetings include instructional videos, presentations by experts in the field, and opportunities to buy, sell, and trade minerals, fossils, and gems. Saco Valley Gem & Mineral Club
The Saco Valley Gem & Mineral Club is a group of rock enthusiasts who explore local mineral and rock formations, exchange knowledge and expertise, and educate the public about the region’s rich geologic history.
The club organizes monthly meetings, arranges field trips to various rock locations, and hosts an annual gem and mineral show.
Rocks in New Hampshire
New Hampshire offers a plethora of rocks that rockhounds can explore. The most common rocks present in New Hampshire are igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks.
These rocks differ in their structure, texture, and mineral composition. They also differ in the way they form.
Igneous rocks are formed by the cooling of molten magma. These rocks tend to have crystals that grow larger as the magma cools more slowly.
Granite is a commonly found igneous rock in New Hampshire. It is famous for its various colors and often found with beautiful veins and streaks of different types of minerals.
Metamorphic rocks differ from igneous rocks because they result from the metamorphosis of sedimentary or igneous rocks under intense heat and pressure. The heat and pressure cause mineral recrystallization and deformation, which transforms them into solid-state rock.
Schist and gneiss are examples of metamorphic rocks often found around New Hampshire. New Hampshire is also home to other types of rocks, such as geodes, flint, jasper, and staurolite, primarily found around certain locations.
Minerals in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is not only home to beautiful rocks but also boasts various mineral deposits present in its various regions. A few of them include:
Gold
Gold deposits are scarce around New Hampshire, with only a few veins found in the river drainages of Coos County. Although not as massive as other regional gold deposits, it is worth exploring.
Diamonds
Several types of diamonds have been discovered in New Hampshire, but most are small and lack the gem’s clarity.
Feldspar
Elmwood, New Hampshire, is the best-known region in the state where feldspar is present in abundance.
Feldspar is a group of minerals consisting of sodium, potassium, calcium, and aluminum silicates.
Apatite
Apatite is widely distributed in New Hampshire. Its occurrence is associated with granite, gneiss, and schist.
Beryl
Beryl is a very common mineral in New Hampshire. It is often found in granite pegmatites and other granitic rocks.
Some well-formed crystals of beryl have been found in Coos County.
Columbite
Columbite is a black mineral containing niobium and tantalum. It occurs in pegmatites associated with mica, feldspar, and quartz.
Columbus is an excellent example of a mineral that seems to thrive in New Hampshire’s geological environment.
Gemstones in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has a wealth of gems that rockhounds can collect. Here are some of our favorites.
Amethyst
Amethyst is a purple, semiprecious stone that occurs in granite and other rock forms around New Hampshire.
Amethyst’s beautiful shades range from light lavender to dark violet. The most commonly found New Hampshire amethysts are from the Howe Hill Mine in Holderness.
Topaz
New Hampshire is known for both clear and smoky topazes. The clear topazes are present throughout the central part of the state, while smoky topaz is commonly found around Moat Mountain.
Aquamarine
A precious blue-green gemstone, aquamarine, is a type of beryl and is occasionally found in New Hampshire. The largest crystal was discovered in 1926 and weighed almost 100 pounds.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is present in the granite pegmatites and schists of New Hampshire. The state produces some of the best tourmalines in the world, including the rubellite tourmaline in the Dunton Quarry near Auburn and the schorl tourmaline from Acworth.
Conclusion
New Hampshire is a rockhound paradise filled with beautiful formations and precious minerals. Whether you are an experienced rockhound or a novice eager to explore the state’s diverse geologic environment, there is plenty of fun to be had.
Joining one of the many rockhounding clubs in New Hampshire can help you learn more about the area’s geology, as well as tips for finding those precious rare rocks and minerals. So grab your pickaxe, put on your hiking boots, and head out to explore the beautiful treasures waiting for you in New Hampshire.
Exploring More Rockhounding Sites in New Hampshire: Greens Ledge, Victor Head, and
Ruggles Mine
New Hampshire is undoubtedly one of the best locations in the United States to practice the hobby of rockhounding. This small state is home to some of the most diverse rock formations, minerals, and gemstones, making it a significant area for exploration.
In this continuation of our exploration of rockhounding sites in New Hampshire, we will delve into three more of the state’s prime collecting locations: Greens Ledge, Victor Head, and
Ruggles Mine.
Greens Ledge & Victor Head
Located on the coast of New Hampshire, Greens Ledge and Victor Head are two of the best rockhounding sites along the Atlantic shoreline.
Both sites are known for their seaside charm and their abundance of interesting and rare mineral specimens. Here are some of the most common specimens rockhounds can find at Greens Ledge and Victor Head.
Amethyst
Amethyst is one of the most beautiful and desired gemstones in the world. The specimens found at Greens Ledge and Victor Head tend to be small and scattered.
However, the beautiful purple color of the crystals still makes them highly sought after among rockhounds.
Albite
Albite is a mineral commonly found in granite, gneiss, and other metamorphic rocks. The specimens at Greens Ledge and Victor Head are often very small, but they can be identified by their white color and the way they interact with light.
Beryl
Beryl is a mineral that forms six-sided prismatic crystals. It is abundant in pegmatite deposits, which are common throughout New Hampshire.
The beryl specimens found at Greens Ledge and Victor Head are often small and pale in color, but they are still prized by collectors.
Chlorite
Chlorite is a green mineral often found associated with other minerals like feldspar and quartz. The mineral specimens at Greens Ledge and Victor Head tend to be in aggregates or small, plate-like clusters.
Feldspar
Feldspar is a mineral that is essential to the formation of granite and other igneous rocks. The feldspar specimens found at Greens Ledge and Victor Head are often white or pink in color, and they can be identified by their cleavage and striations.
Fluorite
Fluorite is a mineral that can come in a wide range of colors, including blue, purple, green, and yellow. The specimens found at Greens Ledge and Victor Head are uncommon but highly prized for their beauty.
Limonite
Limonite is a yellow-brown mineral often found in iron-rich rocks. The limonite specimens at Greens Ledge and Victor Head are often in small, powdery clusters or coatings on other minerals.
Muscovite
Muscovite is a type of mica that is commonly found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. The muscovite specimens at Greens Ledge and Victor Head are often clear and highly reflective, and they can be identified by their cleavage and thin, flexible sheets.
Pyrite
Pyrite is a mineral commonly known as “fool’s gold” due to its metallic luster and yellow color. The pyrite specimens found at Greens Ledge and Victor Head are often small and in clusters or coatings on other minerals.
Smoky Quartz Crystals
Smoky quartz is a form of quartz that has a brownish-gray color. The smoky quartz crystals at Greens Ledge and Victor Head can be large and highly sought after by collectors.
Topaz
Topaz is a mineral often found in granite and other pegmatite deposits. The topaz specimens at Greens Ledge and Victor Head are often colorless or pale yellow, but they can be identified by their striations and crystal form.
Sericite
Sericite is a type of mica that forms compact masses. The sericite specimens at Greens Ledge and Victor Head are often pale gray or white, and they can be identified by their cleavage and thin, flexible sheets.
Ruggles Mine
Ruggles Mine is a unique location in New Hampshire that has been popular among rockhounds since it opened to the public in the early 1900s. The mine is located in Grafton County west of the White Mountains and is famous for its large mineral specimens and beautiful formations.
Here are some of the most common minerals found at
Ruggles Mine.
Amethyst
Amethyst is one of the most common minerals found at
Ruggles Mine. The specimens often have a rich purple color and can be quite large.
Apatite
Apatite is a mineral that forms hexagonal crystals. The apatite specimens at
Ruggles Mine are often green or blue and can be identified by their hexagonal shape.
Beryl
Beryl is a mineral that forms hexagonal prismatic crystals. The beryl specimens at
Ruggles Mine are often pale green or blue and can be identified by their six-sided shape.
Calcite
Calcite is a mineral that often forms rhombohedral crystals. The calcite specimens at
Ruggles Mine are often clear or white and can be identified by their rhombohedral shape.
Feldspar
Feldspar is a mineral essential to the formation of granite and other igneous rocks. The feldspar specimens at
Ruggles Mine are often white or pink and can be identified by their cleavage and striations.
Garnet
Garnet is a mineral that forms dodecahedral crystals. The garnet specimens at
Ruggles Mine are often deep red and can be identified by their dodecahedral shape.
Lepidolite
Lepidolite is a mineral that forms tabular crystals. The lepidolite specimens at
Ruggles Mine are often pink or purple and can be identified by their tabular shape.
Marcasite
Marcasite is a mineral that often forms large, striated crystals. The marcasite specimens at
Ruggles Mine are often found in clusters and can be identified by their metallic luster and striations.
Pyrite
Pyrite is a mineral commonly known as “fool’s gold” due to its metallic luster and yellow color. The pyrite specimens at
Ruggles Mine are often found in clusters and can be identified by their metallic luster and cubic shape.
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz is a pink variety of quartz. The rose quartz specimens at
Ruggles Mine are often found in large masses and can be identified by their pink color.
Smoky Quartz
Smoky quartz is a brownish-gray variety of quartz. The smoky quartz specimens at
Ruggles Mine can be quite large and are highly sought after by collectors.
White Quartz
White quartz is a colorless variety of quartz. The white quartz specimens at
Ruggles Mine are often found in large masses and can be identified by their lack of color.
Sillimanite
Sillimanite is a mineral that often forms fibrous masses. The sillimanite specimens at
Ruggles Mine are often found in fibrous masses and can be identified by their silky texture.
Staurolite
Staurolite is a mineral that often forms cross-shaped crystal formations. The staurolite specimens at
Ruggles Mine are often found in clusters and can be identified by their cross-shaped crystals.
Topaz
Topaz is a mineral often found in granite and other pegmatite deposits. The topaz specimens at
Ruggles Mine are often colorless or pale yellow and can be identified by their striations and crystal form.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a mineral that often forms long, slender crystals. The tourmaline specimens at
Ruggles Mine are often found in clusters and can be identified by their slender crystals and striations.
Conclusion
New Hampshire is undoubtedly a mecca for rockhounds, and the state is filled with a variety of fascinating rock formations, minerals, and gemstones. In this article, we explored three more exciting rockhounding locations in the state: Greens Ledge, Victor Head, and
Ruggles Mine.
These sites are highly sought after by collectors due to their abundance of unique and rare specimens. With so many beautiful formations and minerals to discover in New Hampshire, the possibilities for rockhounding