Texas & New Mexico: Places to Dig for Gem and Crystals

Both Texas and New Mexico have a nice variety of mineral specimens that can be found including fluorite, quartz, opals, barite, agates, chalcedony, and more.

Crystal & Gems Mining in Texas

At Bar M Ranch, guests are invited to search Honey Creek and its tributaries for topaz. Blue Topaz is the state gem of Texas—naturally occurring topaz of this variety is quite rare. Available for individual or group hunting | $15 per person/day

Address: 5309 Old Junction Rd, Mason, TX 76856

Gemstone hunters have been visiting Seaquist Family Ranch in the Texas Hill Country town of Mason since the 1970s to search ravines and streambeds for pink granite outcroppings, which are the sources of pegmatite that contains topaz. With advance reservations, Seaquist Ranch allows rock hunting for a fee from morning until sunset each day. Mason has bed-and-breakfast lodgings, cabins and inns as well as restaurants and gem shops that line a pretty town square. While most topaz in Texas is white, natural blue topaz is located only in Mason county. $20 per person. Reservation Required.

Address: 7 Miles w. of Mason, Mason, TX

Stillwell Ranch

At Stillwell Store and RV Park on Stillwell Ranch south of Alpine and about 8 miles from the nearest entrance to Big Bend National Park, campground guests may search the grounds for gems. Primitive tent sites are available as well as RV sites with electric hook-ups and water. West Texas gem hunters may find plume agate in shades of black, gray and white, or colorful bouquet agate -- an agate with plume that can be pastel pink, peach, orange, yellow or red. The terrain is rough, so wear sturdy shoes or boots as well as hats and clothing to protect against the sun; avoid brushy areas to lessen the chance of encountering snakes. Step carefully to avoid brushing up against cactus thorns.

Address: 48421 Fm 2627, Marathon, TX 

Two Rivers Mining Co., New Braunfels, Texas

Photo from Two Rivers Mining Co., New Braunfels, Texas

Two Rivers Mining Co. in Texas is actually located within the Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo [Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo]. It's not a large-scale mining operation but rather a recreational gem mining experience designed for visitors to the zoo.

Here's what you can expect at Two Rivers Mining Co.:

• Pan for Gemstones, Fossils and More: You'll get a chance to pan for a variety of gemstones, minerals, fossils, and even shark teeth!
• Guaranteed Finds: They ensure every "miner" walks away with treasures, making it a fun activity for all ages.
• Western Ambiance: The place is decorated in a Wild West theme with classic western music, adding to the immersive experience.
• Bison Viewing: The shaded panning deck offers a perfect spot to relax and enjoy watching the bison at the zoo.

Fees: Choose a bag size: Medium Gemstone ($9.99) or Large ($14.99). Feeling adventurous? Try the Fossil Dig ($14.99) or Deluxe Gemstone & Fossil Dig with souvenir bag ($34.99). The ultimate challenge: Bonanza Bucket - overflowing gems & fossils for $74.99!

Phone: +1 830-402-4603

Address:  5640 S Interstate 35. New Braunfels, TX 78132.

Rockhound State Park is a prime spot for hunting thunder eggs aka geodes. Thunder eggs look like muddy rocks and can be popped open to reveal valuable crystals such as amethyst, rose quartz and hematite. To distinguish a geode from a regular rock, look for a spherical external shape, often cauliflower-like in texture. You may need a hammer or chisel to break open the rock. Visitors are allowed to leave the park with 15 lbs. of rock to add to their personal collection.

Address: 9880 Stirrup Rd SE, Deming, NM 88030

This is a donated mine preserved for collecting.  You must limit you collecting to a few samples and sign a release form.  Some of the minerals found include bityite, eucryptite, flourapatite, quartz, smoky quartz, gahnite, lepidolite, microcline, amazonite, microlite, albite, muscovite, lithian muscovite, piemontite, and spodumene. It is a fee pay mine for $50. 

Address: Unnamed Road, Peñasco, NM 87553