Only the state of California has more variety of minerals in the United States.īut wait, we are talking about gems, not minerals, right? The minerals and crystals found in the rocks you collect have the potential to be gems. Mining for these metals is still in production at sites like the Cripple Creek and Victor Gold mines.īut that doesn’t mean that gold and silver are all you are going to find here. Since then, Colorado has been known for its rich gold and silver reserves.Īs a result, Colorado calls itself the Silver State. That was soon followed by the Colorado Silver Boom in 1879. Whether you are a serious gem or rock collector and part-time geologist, or you just want to experience the thrill of searching for that treasure of a lifetime, in Colorado, there is something for everyone. Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids).Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home).Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals.Invertebrate fossils are okay as long as you don’t collect too many.īTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? The books listed below are the best ones you can find on the internet (Amazon links): Leave these to the archaeologists and scientists. Nor can you collect vertebrate fossils from any animal with a skeleton. Just as a side note, you cannot collect Native American or historical artifacts. While most recreational gem hunting is perfectly fine in most areas, if you are going to do more serious collecting and plan on taking out a large haul, you may need to fill out some paperwork to make sure you have the legal rights to do so.In other words, don’t start digging on private property or recreation areas unless they are clearly designated as such. Dig in areas approved for a rock collection.You are allowed to collect up to 25 pounds of specimens per day or 250 pounds a year. You can only collect items for your own personal use.Most public lands are open for gem hunting.Here are some highlights from the BLM guidelines: The Bureau of Land Management has established some rules to ensure people respect property boundaries and nature. However, just because gems are plentiful, doesn’t mean you can just start digging and hauling loads of gems into your truck to sell later. The number of gems and minerals you can find here is only rivaled by the number of stones you can find in California. Rocks and minerals flowed downstream through the rivers and streams, some eventually landing on the flat plains and mesas found in the deserts of Colorado. Plate tonics pushed the seafloor up to make the scenic mountains we see today. The mountains of Colorado were once at the bottom of the ocean. You can dig for gems in Colorado almost every part of Colorado and if you are lucky, you will be rewarded with a beautiful gemstone. Gems and minerals are abundant throughout Colorado. If you are interested in checking out the best book about rockhounding in Colorado you can find it by clicking here (Amazon link). Where to Rockhound in Colorado and What You Can Find? Follow this guide and discover the perfect gem. The beauty of Colorado’s landscape makes it the perfect place to dig for gems if you know where and how to find them. The challenge is finding a rock that is hiding a beautiful gem beneath its surface. Loosely defined, a gem is a mineral that has been cut and polished to make jewelry or other sorts of adornments. The best rockhounding locations in Colorado are: All you need is a map, a sense of adventure, and maybe a pickaxe and a shovel. There are plenty of gems in Colorado for you to dig. When the mountains of Colorado were formed, they pushed these bits and pieces of history before recorded time to the surface, where we can dig for them now. Created through time and pressure, gems hold clues to what the Earth was like before it became the World as we know it today. When you hold a gem in your hand, you are holding a piece of the Earth’s history. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases with no additional costs for you.
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