Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic Time
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral Quiz
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Field CollectingNorthern California Mineral Collector Help

12th May 2012 22:56 UTCZach Ratley

I have been prospecting for about 6 years now, the first 4 years spent all on gold, more recently I have been spending most of my time on other local minerals. I, being born and raised in placer county, feel a special need to collect Northern California Minerals. I go to the local college working on a degree in Geology and I try to collect any chance I get. I have a website where I keep a rockhound journal IDigCalifornia.com you can see some of the things I have collected. There's a couple things I haven't posted on there; Jade, Serpentine, Chiastolite, Vescuvianite and Fresno County Agate. If anyone knows about any local spots you like to collect or know of areas that used to be popular in Northern California let me know. I have read Gem Trails of Northern California and Rocks and Minerals of California for a few sites but am still looking. Right now, I have spent most of my days digging for quartz crystals locally. I have already been to Peterson Mountain, Crystal Mountain, Slate Mountain, Pino Grande, and Georgetown for Quartz. I have herd about people collecting crystals in Calaveras County, but I don't have any known digging pits. Also I have herd about Rose Quartz and Tourmalinated Quartz being found in Plumas County, California but once again I don't have too much specifics. Recently I've been making weekly trips to Peterson Mountain but am looking for other areas to collect. I'm also looking for people to dig with as I do all my collecting alone. Any info helps, thanks guys.

13th May 2012 06:05 UTCRock Currier Expert

Zach,

Do you know about BAM?

13th May 2012 06:11 UTCZach Ratley

Yes I'm aware of the Bay area Mineral Club. I look at a lot of the field trips the California mineral clubs go on. My whole issue is most mineral clubs just do a trip once a month or so to an area for multiple days, and leave the state a lot of the time. I'm usually digging a minimum of 20 hours a week in areas much closer. Because I am in college and work part time it really doesn't allow much time for long trips. I am a member of a few rock hound clubs but I've never found anyone that digs a few days a week like me or even a few times a month. Thank you for your reply Rock Currier.

13th May 2012 06:16 UTCRock Currier Expert

The Bay Area Mineralogists have as members some of the most experienced field collectors in California. You might get to know some of the members of the club and visit them and see their collections. You would be amazed at what some of them have managed to collect. Many of them are old guys and would probably be willing to give you information about where to dig even if they could not keep up with you in the field any more. I think it would be worth your time to do this.

22nd May 2012 17:19 UTCJB

I spent my early years in Angels Camp. Before the playground at Mark Twain Elementary was paved, we (the children) would go out with forks and spoons to dig up quartz crystals from the area. It was sad to see such a rich deposit covered over by asphalt.


There were a few other areas I used to dig at, but being that it was over 40 years ago....I really couldn't tell you where those sites are. I would enlist local information from people who live there - I bet their kids know where to find them.

19th Jan 2013 10:17 UTCtrains9

I am interested in collecting minerals and was also looking for a place to collect. I would be happy to learn or go with or try a place you suggest. Any information would be greatly helpful. I am new to this a beginner. Thank you, Ed.

19th Jan 2013 13:17 UTCJustin Zzyzx Expert

Hey Ed,


Join a rock club in your area, to start.

Also, read this blog entry

http://wheretofindrocks.com/rockhounding-101-how-to-really-find-minerals-and-rocks/

It should give you a good idea of the basics of locality research.


Zach, I love your blog, post more.

20th Aug 2013 01:19 UTCGrateful Rob

I live in Plumas County , and know of many great local areas to dig for various crystals , and if your into the beauty of partially segmented rocks , areas for that as well.

You can e-mail me , and we can exchange info.

I go up to perterson alot as well , and im always looking for new areas out there to explore. So far i have found a few undiscovered areas that were a nice dig.

Get in Touch , and lets find some nice ones..

robphilth@gmail.com

Im also involved in the rock and mineral club here locally - Its just starting up , but there are some nice plans in the works for the club

23rd Aug 2013 17:24 UTCteressa

Hi

,I was wondering if you might know of some gemstones that have been found in Northern California, I had a site and promptly lost it.

These stones came in a variety of colors, amber, green, blue, clear. They may have been sunstones? I am assuming they may have been in a volcanic area but like I say I lost the site almost immediately.

I live in the Okanagan Valley in BC and planning on going to Southern Oregon soon and would like to try and locate this or these stones.

Teressa

10th Nov 2013 05:01 UTCjeb

Zach,


I am in the Nevada city area and always looking for a prospecting partner. I true my luck with gold over the summer and now have move on to crystals

Have you ever searched traverse creek for garnet?

17th Jan 2014 23:21 UTCAwakenedSpirit

Hi there friends.


I'm a Geologist, Jeweler and a rockhond. I just moved to California 4 months ago. Just moved into the Bay Area a few months ago and have been working alot. So I have not had a chance to dig anywhere on the west coast yet, but have found random chunks of Quartz while living down in Joshua Tree. I'm from the Midwest so have been down to Mt. Ida, Arkansas to collect minerals several times. Just last July a few friends and I took a trip down to Mt. Ida for a week and managed to speak to a local who happen to be a Geologist herself and showed up where we could find Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Opitical Clear Calcite, Iron Pyrite, Wavelite, Magnetite, Brookite, Varasite, Fossils and a few others. If anyone's interested in helping me locate some spots before my Midwest friends get here this summer, talk Geology or want to go dig together feel free to hit me up.


415-375-2088. ~ Jeremiah.


Pace e amore.

Namaste.

17th Jan 2014 23:54 UTCRock Currier Expert

Have you joined BAM yet? (Bay Area Mineralogists)?

24th Jan 2014 05:42 UTCZachary MacPhearson

Hey all, good to meet you.


I'm headed up to Mineral Bar (Colfax) and to poke around Iowa Hill area tomorrow and over the weekend.

I'll be leaving Petaluma at 5pm and will be pulling into camp after dark.

If anyone is in the area, it would be great to meet up and share some stories and maybe a cold one.

Feel free to reach me and let's connect!


Cheers,

Zach M.


zcmacphearson@gmail.com

707.776.7783

19th Feb 2014 19:36 UTCTerri Metcalf

I grew up on Chandler Rd in Quincy. Moved to Alaska with the family many years ago but our roots seem to be coming back down here. I am visiting for a spell thinking about coming "back home". Dad was a rock hound and as a kid I accompanied him on many journeys. Would love to reconnect with the geology around here again. Maybe you would be interested in giving me some hints....Thankyou!

28th Feb 2014 01:26 UTCTasia

Hi Zach,

I was wondering how your trip to mineral bar went? My mom lives in colfax and I am looking for a place to take my kids to look for goodies. I what can you find in that area? Thanks Tasia

1st Mar 2014 18:33 UTCJayWalker

So I live in calaveras county ca. I have been a avid gem hunter all my life and even helped run a garnet, kyanite, ruby and sapphire mine in NC for six years. Recently I have been taking advantage of the low water levels at the melones reservoir. Just a few days ago I was hiking the water line and amazed at the amount of a unite specimens exposed. After a very long day I was returning to the car when I tripped and fell face first into the mud. Just inches from my nose I saw the tip of a crystal. I began clearing away the mud and pulled out a crystal over 8 inches in length and 6 inches around. The crystal is complete. It has a large phantom within that has a two inch section of green on one of its faces. Then I noticed another and another! I harvested what I could carry. Then the rain came. As soon as it is gone I'll be going back for the rest! :) happy days at melones!

3rd Feb 2021 05:36 UTCAndrew Bastien

05445400016123305608283.jpg
I’m here now. Quartz everywhere! I’m a little overwhelmed on where to start digging or prospecting. Although I have found multiple crystals. Nothing of size as of yet. Tomorrow awaits.

16th Feb 2021 10:14 UTCZach Oranje

If your ever looking for someone to go digging with let me know. New to the whole thing but have plenty of resources that we could use. If your interested you can reach me at zachoranje@gmail.com

1st Mar 2014 18:44 UTCJayWalker

Not unite, typo, foloaxinite

2nd Mar 2014 21:07 UTCKen Doxsee

So I guess I'd be wearing a raincoat and be back there in about two minutes if I were you, Jay! Post a photo when you get the chance! --Ken

13th Mar 2014 02:52 UTCj!

Were you down by the dam, JW? Right side as you look at it from the water? Took a boat out there years ago and brought back buckets we picked up between water and cliff.

14th Mar 2014 05:22 UTCErock

This site is pretty cool. I have also been digging California for the last 10 years. I am nuts about quartz and unusual inclusions, colors, phantoms, etc... Very cool Jay! New Melones is one of my favorite spots for chlorite phantoms. I have hit many pockets up there. Not only is it killer for water clear chlorite phantoms, but it also has other cool minerals in some matrix cluster like epidote, albite, and axinite. The only debbie downer about this spot is that it is closed to public collecting. I was harrassed by a fish and game ranger out there and talked myself out of a ticket. I have heard stories of the sherriff arresting people up in the spillway. Be careful!! I have a ton of rediculous spots to trade with peeps that also have some special spots.

17th Mar 2014 19:59 UTCj!

Good to know, Erock. Had no idea it was closed to collecting. Have you hit the old crystal mine in Dog Valley, out of Verdi, yet? Also have a couple of good sites I just hit in AZ based on some tips from this forum, if you're interested! Otherwise, I think I may just get up to Melones next weekend. I'm down to about a quarter tn of tumbling rough, time to restock! :::laughinglaughing:::

28th Jun 2014 17:31 UTCcaleb nuggless newb

I found many quarts crystals in placervilca also a few geodes.. I find smokey quarts and rhyolite thunder eggs in Manton ca....also I found these strange iron stones that have an amazing shine or glimmer that looks 3 dimensional the people of gaumers cannot ID this rock... I don't find very many but I find them in clear creek outside of redding.

28th Jun 2014 17:47 UTCcable nuggless newb

Also I found some chunks of what the poeple of gaumers thinks is obsidian but the chunks are magnetic every single one.... and obsidian is not magnetic from what I researched. It baffled them they even took obsidian off their shelf and theirs was not magnetic ..

1st Jul 2014 07:03 UTCsararocks2

I was just wondering if you could give the location of the quartz rhyolite thunder eggs from Manton if possible. Also, there is a local mineral society The Shasta Gem and Mineral Society if you are interested they meet on the 2nd Friday of the month at 6:00 at the Anderson Grange Hall.

28th Jul 2014 20:54 UTCken burwell

just got back from peterson down to meet up and go anytime email or message me on facebook .

9th Sep 2014 19:40 UTCsarahmarie

where abouts at new melones reservior did you find the quartz? My friend lives out there and I want to go this weekend to find some crystals

11th Sep 2014 16:33 UTCj!

Sarah,


I was just up there this weekend to do some scouting and was able to pull quartz formations out f just about every clay road cut on the back roads before the turn off to the Glory Hole area. It's all private land up there, but I was able to get to some rarely traveled, very rough roads (I have a high clearance, but never needed the 4 wheel drive) and park in the middle of the road while I sifted the road cuts. Didn't do any digging, but sure found some places I'd *like* to do some digging! Try looking for any hill that has fairly solid rock with a fair amount of reddish clay/dirt.

23rd Oct 2014 19:43 UTCMatt Cochrane

I do alot of prospecting at Traverse Creek. I have found very little vesuvianite. Largest I've found was just under 1 carat and was a yellow/green. hard workings out there as its all clay hardpack

2nd Nov 2014 21:16 UTCJosh Knoettgen

Terri M,


I grew up in Plumas County too. Go up LaPorte road and explore around Little Volcano and on the other side of the Middle Fork of the Feather River. I have heard rumors of amethyst crystals up there off some no name dirt road

21st Feb 2015 00:07 UTCAnonymous User

I've got a conference to attend in Oakland the week of June 21st. My current plan is to drive out from West Texas where I live the week before and return the week after. At this point, I have only plans to spend a few days at Topaz Mountain in Utah on my way out. Does anyone have any recommendations about where I could hunt? I would also be open to accompany someone on one of their trips.


Thanks.


Bruce


Bruce Cammack

Bcam001@aol.com

(806) 392-5000

30th Apr 2015 17:08 UTCamy

I live in Vacaville, would love to go crystal hunting with you

30th Apr 2015 17:29 UTCAmy

I live in Solano County. Would like your help finding a place to dig this weekend. Hope to hear from you soon. ..

2nd Jun 2015 20:05 UTCSir Gabe

Hi all,


I'm new to the whole Gem world.

I live in Oakdale, CA and really close to all the places you guys are talking about. I try to go out and look around every other weekend. I would like some help on finding my birthstone which is a

Garnet. The reasons I'm looking for a nice one is because my girlfriend would like her engagement ring to be my birthstone. We talked about how nice I would be if we found it together .

So there you have my story on how I got it in to this world. Now the more I look in to it the more I like it. I never knew how much beautiful the ground under us could be..

Well how someone can help with a place or more info.


The care and thanks for your time!

23rd Jun 2015 17:06 UTCJason Ferguson

Not sure where to find good gem quality garnets up here though i hear southern CA has some nice ones and my buddy mines them on the regular in Idaho. He pulls out these beauties and has them but and polished by a professional. I live in Vallejo CA and know of other places to rockhound for other minerals if you ever want to go out and explore.

12th Jul 2015 18:24 UTCDigger chic

I dig at least 3 times a week in the foothills. There's many precious minerals around any main river, ie, American and Bear rivers.

14th Aug 2015 17:51 UTCJason Ferguson

nice! I need to get back up there. Seems like its cooling off enough to go.

4th Sep 2015 04:17 UTCjt

Zach, I am not even new to this. I have never done digging before. I would like to watch and learn tho. You can contactme via email.

3rd Jan 2016 03:18 UTCBeatrice morgan

06869510015660878544043.jpg
Copyright © mindat.org

03328680015659243847876.jpg

03774680015659243843041.jpg

3rd Jan 2016 16:22 UTCRob Woodside 🌟 Manager

Welcome to Mindat Beatrice!!!

9th Jan 2016 17:02 UTCCeleste Sandbank

Zach I find jade every time I go the beach in Pacifica. Didn't even know it was there...just happened to find some. Talked to a local guy and he says there is a huge vein right off the coast and jade just washes up on the beach. This place isn't well know...I couldn't find a reference on the internet but all the locals seem to know about it...good luck! I also have a great serpentine and quartz CRYSTAL spot...email me or find me on face book...I will give u the location. I have read your blog as I'm obsessed with crystals right now. Good luck and thanks for the inspiration your eldorado pocket gave me! ;)

17th Jan 2016 18:41 UTCJason Ferguson

Hey Guys, I finally have all the tools needed to practice my knapping. I am hoping to become good enough to make knives and arrow heads while winter takes away my ability to dig for crystals. That being said, I figured i would try to go up and look for some rainbow obsidian. I think it is Davis creek up in Northern California but not sure. Any details to make a seamless trip from HWY 80 in the bay area would be appreciated.

25th Jan 2016 00:21 UTCJayWalker

Hello!

My Finace and I want to go crystal hunting for our first time and I was interested in checking out the area you described and wonder if you could tell us how to get there and maybe any tips? We live in the Bay Area so if you know of any good places around here to check out we would be so grateful!!


Thanks!!

Jenna

29th Jan 2016 06:31 UTCRanger Dave

If you want obsidian, there is a bunch near Mammoth. Don't go to Obsidian Dome, the stuff there is full of pumice. I found some silver sheen obsidian nearby. Nice stuff.


Also, check out ThisOldRock.com Kind of pricy, but when the weather dries out a bit, they open up for "pay to dig."

29th Feb 2016 16:02 UTCKellychee

I'm new too collecting, mostly thriving up in Tahoe!

I'm writing in response to your post stating you knew of some collecting areas for Quartz?

Thanks in advance, maybe we can swap a spot or two :)

Best of love and luck to you!

28th Mar 2016 02:22 UTCDoug Matteo

I checked with the staff at the main office for New Melones Lake and she said no collecting is allowed. Too bad, there is quartz all over the place. I met people out past Placerville near Georgetown and they allow collecting at their property. They were featured in Rock ans Gem magazine.

31st Mar 2016 00:11 UTChighwayone01

If you are looking for some excellent Obsidian in Bay area, drive up Silverado Trail in Napa county. North of St. Helena, just past Lodi Lane, is a great road cut. I have been told the obsidian is jewelers quality, though I don't know for sure. It is beautiful pure black. Many pieces are whole rocks that people seem to leave behind since they don't have a shiny black break. I have been collecting regularly here for years and make a point to visit anytime I am in the area. Right after it rains is a great time to visit because the dust, which is like cement when dry, turns to loose mud and everything comes down. Many, many pieces that would be an excellent start for arrowheads and the like. I have, several years ago, picked up a beautiful big chunk of grey obsidian.

Don't spread the word too much. I would hate to have them put up no parking signs, like they seem to do.

Hope this helps.

I am looking for information on a rock type that I see and like. It can be a forest green, maybe blue green, split pea, or a jade color, light or dark, sometimes almost translucent. Often it is with other colors.

31st Mar 2016 01:06 UTCRanger Dave

If you're in the East Bay Area, and want something interesting, not pretty but interesting, go here:

Latitude: 37.685735°

Longitude: -121.630965°


It's on Patterson Pass Road east of Livermore.


What you will find there are fossil oyster shells; Ostera Bourgoisii from the Upper Miocene, about 20 million years ago.

8th Apr 2016 21:55 UTCSTwRangler

Hawdy there,

I know this post is old, and this may not even get to you, but I thought it was worth a shot anyway.

My name is Sonja, I live in Loomis but just moved here from Plumas Co. About 2 years ago a friend of mine too me out to the side of a mountain that changed my life forever! Heintroduced me to crystals. I had always been a rockhound, but only to the extent of collecting any rock I saw shaped as a heart. Well, I got my big gurl panties on now and I'm having a blast learning and searching and discovering more than just minerals;)

I return back to that origional side of the mountain he took me to still often, not many people know of it and theirs sooooooooo many crystals I couldn't find em' all in my lifetime even if I wanted to, I would love to take you, if you'd be interested.....

Please email me back, or send me a text on my business line (Im a horse trainer/wrangler) (530)403-8875

Thanks!

Sonja

4th Mar 2022 04:36 UTCEli Sai

Hello there Sonja. I live in Penryn which is right next door to Loomis. I saw your post from 2016 where you were talking about a mountain side where you found lots of crystals. I was hoping you might share the location that you were talking about. If not I totally get it. Thank you! 

8th Apr 2016 22:07 UTCJason Ferguson

Hey Sonja!


I am always looking for new people to dig with. If you want to partner up ever let me know! I dig for anything and everything.

22nd Apr 2016 23:01 UTCJaiodyssea

Where about in Tahoe are you. I live up in incline village. Once the snow melts we should get out and dig!!

14th May 2016 17:13 UTCIrish Grl

Hello, I live in Butte County in Northern CA and have been an avid rock and gem and fossil lover all my life. I'd like to go out and actually find something, but don't really know where to go. I have been to forks of the butte and got a lovely river tumbled Quartz but that's about it. I'm really really new at this and would appreciate any pointers. I'm also looking into joining the Paradise Gem and Mineral club (I live in Magalia). Thanks in advance for any help.

20th May 2016 23:31 UTCJason Ferguson

Do not know to much up towards that area sorry! I am going out on Sunday, you can join me if you would like but it is a 4 hour drive from where you live. It takes me 3.5 hours from where I live but I usually don't care about driving long distances when it comes to finding minerals!


I will PM you just in case.


Irish Grl Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hello, I live in Butte County in Northern CA and

> have been an avid rock and gem and fossil lover

> all my life. I'd like to go out and actually find

> something, but don't really know where to go. I

> have been to forks of the butte and got a lovely

> river tumbled Quartz but that's about it. I'm

> really really new at this and would appreciate any

> pointers. I'm also looking into joining the

> Paradise Gem and Mineral club (I live in Magalia).

> Thanks in advance for any help.

25th May 2016 03:29 UTCKeith A. Peregrine 🌟

Joining a local club is the top of the list things to do. You will learn far more than anything published or even documented online. That being said, I would recommend the book Rock Hounding California by Gail Butler. She has a few collecting spots in and around Butte County. The big question for you, is what are your interests. Given the geology of Butte County, you will be swamped with serpentine and other ophiolite minerals. One spot which interested me is near Pulga. At one time there was Californite deposit along Camp Creek Road, but it was cleaned out years ago. At least I have not spotted any in the times I visited this local.


Along HW 70 you can find very glossy serpentine. The Roadside Geology of Northern and Central California provides a great geologic description for HW 70 (Alt & Hyndman, 2000). Believe it or not you can find an outcrop of dk grey banded marble at one outcrop. The book is a great source for exploring ideas.


Still, it all comes down to what interests you. Exploring Mindat for Butte County and surrounding areas should provide you with additional inspiration. I had always wanted to explore areas in the Sierras but was limited due to only visiting late in the year (summer is a better time rather than the deep winter snow pack). If gold interests you, check out the Feather River. Much of the gold territory is tied up, but there is supposed to be one stretch of the Feather River where you can pan. Again, the rock club should answer any questions you have.


Hope this works for you.

Cheers,

Keith

28th Sep 2016 04:47 UTCJEM CRAZY

:-) Hi All ! Wow..I'm on a lucky streak already! Just stumbled onto this site while digging for basic info on Opals- my gemstone, which I ILOVE + anything that's colorful, bright, or shiny!

I'm a total NewBie- but I learn fast, work hard, + I like to laff ! Hope to make new friends+ find some GEMS!!

I live in Napa, got an old beater P/up + a Blu-Eyed Pup .

Ready 2 Rock-n-Roll.

Let's txt + talk- I'm JAN !

JansAGemX10@g-mail.com

13th Jul 2017 18:08 UTCJason Ferguson

JEM CRAZY Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> :-) Hi All ! Wow..I'm on a lucky streak already!

> Just stumbled onto this site while digging for

> basic info on Opals- my gemstone, which I ILOVE +

> anything that's colorful, bright, or shiny!

> I'm a total NewBie- but I learn fast, work hard, +

> I like to laff ! Hope to make new friends+ find

> some GEMS!!

> I live in Napa, got an old beater P/up + a

> Blu-Eyed Pup .

> Ready 2 Rock-n-Roll.

> Let's txt + talk- I'm JAN !

> JansAGemX10@g-mail.com


I live in Vallejo, I am very experienced and might be in the market for a new digging partner. All of mine keep moving out of state! lol

15th Jul 2017 22:00 UTCDonald B Peck Expert

Welcome to Mindat, Jason. You will find a wealth of information here, plus congenial people who are ready and willing to help others with their mineralogical problems. Mindat is a friendly place and the "membership" ranges from professional mineralogists and geologists to long experienced amateurs and neophytes. Come back, explore, join in, and ask questions.

5th Oct 2017 00:35 UTCSean Maus

So to kick some life back in to this thread yet again, is there anyone in or around the Del Norte county area? My limited rockhounding experience is all down in socal and it's lovely pegmatites- but im currently getting ready to go exploring the old chromite and copper mines around these parts though and would love an experienced hand to explore with or get advice from.

16th Apr 2018 00:23 UTCBenjamin Kaufhold

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum, but a long time reader, and new to CA. My folks are coming out to visit and they are interested in gold panning in rockhounding in the Coloma / Nevada City area. Any suggestions or anyone in that area willing to meet up?

16th Apr 2018 19:47 UTCJason Ferguson

Hey Benjamin. If you have FB, I recommend getting in contact with the group "California/Nevada Gold Mining". 4000 people strong and many willing to help you out. Also, you can contact the people over at "American Mining Rights Association" AKA "AMRA". This group is awesome and they even have dozens of claims to work on.


Sadly i mainly dig Quartz so i can't really help to much otherwise. Good luck!

21st May 2018 09:19 UTCSierra derby

Hopefully some of you are still active :) I'm fairly new to rock hounding but I'm hooked. I live in Amador County and could use some pointers as where to look nearby, or if anyone needs a buddy I'm usually available Thurs and Fridays :) Feel free to contact me on Facebook.

23rd Jun 2018 05:02 UTCAnonymous User

07610170016016039359284.jpg
Copyright © mindat.org
hello sierra, what minerals are you most interested in hunting for? if quarts crystals are what your looking for. i know of a few locations in amador county ... one of wich i discovered myself and only one other person is aware that it exists. i have pulled some very nice specimens from there but i havent even scratched the surface. i am also somewhat of an expert at finding gold.

08050460015652079853358.jpg

30th Dec 2019 13:53 UTCSierra derby

Just stumbled upon this thread again, wish I knew who the anonymous user was

25th Jun 2018 06:57 UTCTroy Schmidt

Check with the Amador County Gem and Mineral Society. http://www.amadorgemandmineral.org/

27th Nov 2018 10:41 UTCThomas Zlamal

06537040016016039361343.jpg
Hello Everyone, My name is Tom,

I am interested in the Traverse Creek Special Interest Area.

I am new to Roseville Area from the Bay Area.

Does anyone know much about this site? I am looking

for some places to Rockhound close to Roseville and I am very

interested as well in searching anywhere along the American River and Folsom Lake. I would appreciate any feedback

I can get. I am also looking for someone to spend sometime

doing some Placer Gold Mining. I would like to work with

someone experienced who needs help mining gold in the area. Placer, Plumas, El Dorado County Ect Ect Ect.

6th Jan 2019 18:18 UTCBrian Freedom

Ken,


Did you go to Peterson mountain with a group or just by yourself? I know it’s been years since your post,but I’ve heard amazing things aboutPeterson mountain but am not sure what’s claimed and where I can dig. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

28th Sep 2020 04:33 UTCRyan Ryan Hayes

If you can text me 
9492327545 
Email ryedawgg1989@yahoo.com 

I want learning found quartz 
Thank you 

7th Jan 2019 04:47 UTCMatt Ciranni

The scoop on Peterson (as of 2017 when I was last there) is: anywhere but the very top of the peak is fair game. There are signs near the top of the peak as you climb it on the west side, stay below those signs and you are good to go. Unless they have changed it and expanded the no-dig zone (which I hope they have not!) Out of the six or seven quartz crystal dig sites I have been to, Peterson Mountain is the best one, as far as the likelihood of finding anything good. Better than Crystal Park in Montana, even (there are plenty of crystals at Crystal park but they typically run smaller than they do at Peterson.)

The road up the mountain requires very high clearance 4WD, be warned there are a couple rough spots, or prepare to hike it. After I had parked, when I was hiking up a non-navigable former jeep trail, I found something shiny sticking out of one of the eroded ruts in the old trail- guess what it was?

It ended up being one of the best finds of the day!

27th Mar 2019 05:13 UTCMeghan Haddad

@ slumerican shitizen

Hello! Where in Amador County did you find the quartz? Quartz is one of my favorites. I’d appreciate it if you would be willing to share more information with me. Hope to hear back!

-Meghan

19th May 2019 22:25 UTCAndrew C

I also live in the Bay Area, in Oakland, and would love to meet up with some folks in the area and look for minerals. Is anyway else in Oakland?

18th Jun 2019 02:49 UTCShaun Capoferri

Hello Erock!

My name is Shaun and just recently moved to the area, after reading up and down on mindat you seem like the guy I need to connect with. Let’s talk rocks and locations!

3rd Aug 2019 21:52 UTCNicholas Guidi

09497250016016039367258.jpg
Information about traverse creek special interest area- All the pits and adits are closed off. To find anything is pretty hard, like garnets or vesuvianite. The first time I went I took some serpentine and went back home. Then I researched the place and went back to find better stuff. The trick is to dig a hole where schist or floater garnet rocks are.



05397910015652079864973.jpg

5th Aug 2019 20:11 UTCKyle Bayliff

00782190016016039384060.jpg
I was there a few weeks ago. I had better luck in the ditches along the road and the hillside with the serpentine piles across the road from the parking lot than along the trails. Found a nice piece of serpentine with fibrous chrysotile and a few floaters with micro-sized crystals.

18th Aug 2019 00:21 UTCZette Leader

I’m glad n Oregon. I’m looking for someone to dig wit too. I’m about to go for opal in a week or two. I’m living full time in a van traveling and digging. 

21st Aug 2019 07:17 UTCTerri Murray

Hi Zach.  Just wondering if you are still digging?  I usually dig in grizzly flats. Sure would like to find somebody to dig with.  

20th Apr 2020 22:02 UTCDanielle

Hey I'm in the same area and would love to dig with a buddy. It's been over a year so I know this is a long shot, but I had to try.

21st Sep 2019 18:24 UTCKaylee Fischer

00312680016016039394777.jpg
My local finds here in plumas. 

13th Feb 2021 06:01 UTCTimothy Farley

I am going to head down to Clear Creek Rec Area next week (Feb 18th,2021) . Does anybody have ideas were to starting rock hounding or areas to stay away from ?  Yes, I will be cautious of asbetos. 
Thanks
Tim 

26th May 2021 22:33 UTCAndrew C

Did you find anything good?

16th Feb 2021 11:03 UTCJohnny Ruiz

Any one in the area of ca they cal the high desert I grew up in lucerne valley just between apple vally and  Jonson valley As you go through Lucerne keep on Hw 247  through the town and as you you get about no more houses about ten miles past the town you might check in the diner at the only stop sign in town and ask for cougar butes  crystal mines there is no mines but as I was little and to this day tons of veined crystal rivers run through the ground on the left hand side of the road near the bottom flats near the mountains and I would end up bringing buckets home of crystals of pure dark red green blue clear orange any color you can tint out of those I had mentioned. They are smaller than the depicted photos that you have shown here maybe up to a few or 3 inches solid single pieces that are all small but wow pockets after packets as a kid I remember going all the time with my mom till I’d have to help her stand up her back would get stuck lol even bring home a tortoise every other trip that would hide under the vehicle for the shade lol they would live in the dog house till they wonder off lol ? even remember hands and needs at 5 years old peeking under a lil bolder to me at the time to be upside down face to face with a rattler readying to strike yup last time I went lol have fun.

10th Jul 2021 06:59 UTCMyles Brown

Hi everyone im Myles, 
New to rockhounding, looking for locations near Modesto, Ca , I was just up at traverse creek today and got mainly a ton of beautiful serpentine and antigorite , and a couple other to be determined specimens. I'm looking for crystal digs, Clusters, phantoms, anything really. 

Email is Mylesbrown25@gmail.com feel free to email me with any places you might have !

14th Jan 2022 00:48 UTCShaun Kirby

To lazy to see if anyone has said this already, but Stifle Memorial Claim (Also called Traverse Creek Claim) in El Dorado County is a great place to get serpentine, vesuvianite, and grossular garnet. Some of the garnet is even flourescent. 
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
Mindat Discussions Facebook Logo Instagram Logo Discord Logo
Mindat.org is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: March 28, 2024 20:18:38
Go to top of page