America's Best Destinations For Gem Hunting To Find Stunning Souvenirs

Rockhounding is not a hobby you hear about every day. Loosely defined as the practice of recreationally hunting for gems and semi-precious stones in their natural habitats, it's primarily seen as a pastime for hardcore geology enthusiasts willing to sift through the dirt for hours on end. But you may not realize that the hobby has a much lower barrier to entry than its niche nature implies.

Depending on your location and goals, rockhounding can look pretty different from site to site. Some locations of particular abundance have capitalized on their mineral riches by turning gem hunting into a bona fide tourist attraction. Others are operational mines that allow some public collection, and still others are more like open fields where you might be lucky enough to find something glittery in the dirt. The Bureau of Land Management even allows some collecting on public lands (depending on the circumstances), though your yield will almost certainly be better if you go to a noted rockhounding spot.

So, while it all depends on your location, it's likely that anyone seeking to make this rewarding but unusual hobby a part of their vacation can find a place to try it. Get especially lucky, and you'll come home with a shiny new souvenir to show for it. And even if you don't? Well, it's worth the effort to say you tried something so far off the typical tourist trail that your impressed listeners might not even have heard of it before.

If you're already intrigued by the thought of digging up your own gems — great. You're not the first to hear the call of what lies beneath the dirt. But you may also be wondering how one goes about getting started. While gem hunting is a fairly straightforward activity once you get started, there are a handful of things it's helpful to know before you go.

Firstly, there are a few ways to hunt. You can dig up your own patch of dirt to sift through it for gems. You can find a dedicated business that digs up portions of its own claims for gem hunters to sift through, which sometimes allows you to find more sought-after treasures. In some places, you can go panning (much like panning for gold) to see if any stones come up along the shore of a river or other water. Or you can go on nature hikes in hopes of also finding something lying along the path. The method you use will depend on where you go and what kinds of gems you hope to find.

And depending on what method you intend to use, you'll also want some basic equipment before you head out. A geologist's hammer (or rock pick), a shovel, gloves, goggles, chisels, sifting screens, and a durable bag are all essential for making the most of your gem hunting outing — but there is also more specialized equipment out there for more advanced rockhounders. And the best equipment you can bring is knowledge: It pays to read up before you go on what kinds of gems are found in the area of interest, because the geological conditions required to form each type of gem are only found in certain locations.

There are dozens of sites across the U.S. that promise different gemstone finds, but only one where you might find diamonds in their natural state. That is precisely what makes Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas a nationwide tourist draw, thanks to it being the world's only public diamond mine. Where else are you going to hunt for diamonds in the crater of the extinct volcano that created them?

As the only U.S. mine to offer this in-situ diamond mining opportunity, it's the place to go if you're aiming at nothing less than the queen of all gemstones. In fact, the largest diamond ever mined in the U.S. was found here. And while the record-setting 40.23-carat Uncle Sam diamond is far from the norm, you might still find yourself going home with a diamond chip for a pittance compared to the usual price of such a stone. And although diamonds are the draw here, other gems like amethyst, quartz, and agate are somewhat commonly found on the same site.

In addition, Crater of Diamonds State Park has interactive exhibits that contextualize its unusual geology and the process by which it came to be a diamond hotspot. The nearest big major city is Dallas, about four hours away, so this site may be off-the-beaten-path, but it's a full-service spot that makes itself accessible to first-time rockhounds. If you're planning a cross-country road trip, make this a gem hunting stop.

Don't be fooled by the name: This mine isn't really dealing in diamonds. Instead, South Carolina's Diamond Hill Mine is unusually rich in quartz crystals, a family of rocks that includes amethysts and dozens of other semi-precious stones that are lesser known, but no less beautiful. That's all thanks to its geology: Mountain formations of the ancient Appalachian chain in this region have exposed 3 acres of prime quartz-hunting territory. And for $20 a day for adults, you can turn up and dig to your heart's content until you find something to write home about.

About two hours outside of the state capital of Columbia, Diamond Hill Mine is definitely a trek. But if you want to try gem hunting in a setting that is developed enough to be beginner-friendly while still retaining some of its natural character, it's a great starter spot. Diamond Hill Mine also proudly eschews "salting," the practice of bringing in soil from other places to make digs (deceptively) more productive. Be on the lookout for skeletal quartz, notable for its random facets, patterns, and markings, making the gems look almost as if they have an empty center (like bone).

If you've spent much time in the Southeast, you're probably well-aware of the popularity of the Blue Ridge Parkway among regional tourists. It's considered "America's Favorite Drive" and a perfect fall trip, after all. Vacationers flock to this scenic area of the Appalachias in droves, and that means lots of businesses looking to capitalize on the region's popularity. But we'll give Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine one thing over on its competition: Not very many of them offer the chance to mine your own emerald (among other stones).

You should know that Gem Mountain, in North Carolina, is not for the back-to-nature sorts of rockhounds. It's a popular tourist attraction, and gem hunters have the option of mining from a flume or opting for a guided mining trip, which is the only way to access the site directly. Another major draw is the on-site jewelry workshop, where customers can hand their finds over to a staff of expert jewelers to be made into a piece of jewelry of their choice. Those not lucky enough to find a ring-sized emerald may purchase one ready-made.

Gem Mountain may not be a major gem excavation that involves camping out in the middle of nowhere, but it's a family-owned business that aims to offer a fun, low-barrier-to-entry experience for all ages, and that's exactly what it does. Especially considering its accessible location along a wildly popular road trip route, that makes Gem Mountain a great place to dabble in gem hunting for newbies, families, and the commitment-phobic (no backcountry camping permit needed).

This place may have the same name as the previously mentioned mine, but is in no relation to the Gem Mountain in North Carolina. Actually, the two are quite distinct from one another. Firstly, this one's located in the town of Philipsburg, Montana. Even though it's in a fairly accessible area (by car) off Montana Highway 38, the site warns that there's no cell service at the mine itself, and they recommend guests to bring a chair if they think they might need to rest. It's only open from late May through the end of August due to the weather, and running into a moose on your way in is at least somewhat of a possibility. Second, instead of emeralds, this Gem Mountain is apparently a hotspot for sapphires.

If you're visiting outside of the summer months and the mine isn't open, that's no problem. You can also stop in the mine's store in downtown Philipsburg and pan for sapphires indoors. But what you really want is a trip to the mine itself. That's where you'll be able to sift for the bigger-ticket gems, although findings are far from guaranteed. If you do happen to be lucky enough to find a gem you can mount, you can take your stone in for polishing and cutting at their store location.

Even if you don't find a single sapphire, you won't come away from a visit empty-handed. Not only is visiting the mine a fun activity, it's also in a part of Montana that boasts strikingly beautiful views of nature and possible glimpses at wildlife while you're there. Bonus: It's very nearly on the way from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park, known as the "Crown of the Continent."

Okay, we'll level with you: Herkimer diamonds aren't true diamonds. But what you will find at this long-established, Upstate New York gemstone mine is a highly unusual variety of quartz crystal whose clarity and luster mimic those of a real diamond so closely that you could easily mistake it for one. Open seasonally between April and late October, this mine has made a name for itself as a place to find the next-best thing to a "girl's best friend."

Prospective gem hunters at Herkimer Diamond Mines will have two options: sluice mining, which is a little bit like panning for gold, or digging in an above-ground pit mine. Then, if you happen to find any of the brilliant, clear quartz you're looking for, you can take it to the on-site Artisan Center to turn it into a piece of jewelry. This is optional, of course, because raw Herkimer diamonds make just as impressive a souvenir.

About an hour and a half from either Syracuse or Albany, this is one of the more accessible places to try your hand at rockhounding. And if you'd rather not commute at all, an on-site hotel is slated to open in 2026. Once the hotel starts taking guests, it'll round out the on-site Miner's Village, which features shopping, restaurants, and a wedding venue. Looking for a gem hunting day trip rather than a trek into the middle of nowhere? Make it this one.

There is a reason that one of San Diego County's favorite beaches is called Tourmaline Beach. This area's mines are well-known for their high yields of the semi-precious gem. In fact, San Diego county was once one of the world's greatest producers of striking pink-and-green watermelon tourmaline in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The once world-famous Himalaya Mine is among the mines that put this area on the map, and now it's open to visitors.

Operational since 1898, the Himalaya Mine still offers visitors the chance to mine for tourmaline — albeit not exactly in situ. These days, the mine brings tailings and ore from the mine itself to a different area where visitors can then dig through the imported ore for their own tourmaline finds. However, this in no way guarantees a find. You'll still need all your patience and sharp-eyed observation to find your coveted souvenir.

It's also one of the more conveniently-located rockhound hotspots on this list. The nearby town of Santa Ysabel is about an hour and a half inland from downtown San Diego, already a popular tourist destination in itself. That makes the Himalaya Mine another great choice for a gem-hunting day trip.

Most probably wouldn't associate Oregon with a scrubby, high desert landscape that's almost lunar in its loneliness. But you learn something new every day, and you'll learn a whole lot more than that if you make the trip to visit this beloved gem-hunting spot.

Located in South-central Oregon, the Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area is set aside as a public place to collect a rare kind of feldspar crystal unique to Oregon. Sunstones range in color from tan to pale red, and the ones you'll find here were formed by a volcanic eruption and then covered by an ancient lake that slowly eroded away the lava as it dried to reveal the brilliant mineral inside. And today, about all that's left is an open field where sunstones are ripe for the picking.

It won't be easy to get here, and once you do, there are few facilities — so most visitors camp out. Located about three and a half hours from Klamath Falls, it's easy to see the appeal of spending the night. But if you can't stomach the thought of a tourist-oriented operation, it doesn't get much more rugged or authentic than the Oregon Sandstone Collection Area.

The name of this state park says it all. Although this serene state park nestled in New Mexico's mountains also offers hiking, camping, and birdwatching opportunities, the real draw at Rockhound State Park is, of course, rock collecting. Jasper, onyx, and agate are among the many types of rocks visitors can hope to find — but the ultimate wish of every Rockhound State Park visitor is a geode.

Also called "thundereggs," these surprise-inside stones are a mainstay at gift shops everywhere. If you want to go out and find your own, Rockhound State Park allows visitors to take as much as 15 pounds of collected minerals out of the park. And if you're in the area, the nearby town of Deming has plenty of rock climbing, desert mountain hikes, camping, and more.

Even if no geode appears, though, Rockhound State Park in Southern New Mexico is a worthy visit. Its beautiful location at the foot of the Little Florida Mountains, its spring wildflower blooms, and its abundant wildlife make it worth your time before you even get started on your geode-hunting quest.

You might never know it, but Nevada is an opal hotspot. Its remote Virgin Valley is home to more than a few opal mines, some of which are world-renowned for the quality of their gems. Opal is also one of the few gems the public can mine for in Nevada, so many of those mines are open to the public. One rockhound favorite is the Royal Peacock Opal Mine.

It's hard to get more far-flung than this mine, located near the Nevada-Oregon border hours away from any major city. But it's one of only two places on earth where you can mine the Black Fire Opal, the state's official gem. The other is the Australian state of New South Wales, famous for its opal hub of Coober Pedy, which is also known for its extreme desert sand golf course. Visitors have a choice between bank digging or searching in mine tailings, and overnight stays are supported by an RV park and several cabins. But be forewarned: Despite the services available on-site, this is definitely one of the most remote of the sites listed here. You'll have to truly commit to the adventure, but if you're serious about finding gems to write home about, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better place to do it.  

We can't all be expert rockhounds, so in order to find the best places to try your hand at gem hunting, we turned to the people who already are. Social media platforms like Reddit and Facebook as well as websites created by and for gem enthusiasts, helped us to narrow down the places where gems are most abundant — from rural free-for-alls to full-service outfits perfect for the true beginner. From there, we made it our goal to highlight the greatest possible diversity of mineral types and locations. Once we settled on locations, we also turned to gem expert websites and official sites for specific locations as well to provide information.

Although this list is nowhere near comprehensive, it offers a fairly thorough overview of the types of gem-hunting sites you might find if you kept looking. It also, hopefully, leaves you with an option near you if you don't want to wait for your next vacation to try out this rewarding outdoor hobby. 

Whether you're looking for an outdoor diversion to keep rowdy kids busy, love the idea of jewelry featuring a stone you mined yourself, or are an armchair geology enthusiast interested in getting out in the wild, gem-hunting has wide appeal. And with patience, a few pieces of equipment, and some background knowledge, you could easily find yourself taking home the souvenir of a lifetime. Next time you're planning out that road trip, why not add one of these gem hunting hotspots to the list?