It’s generally comprised of epidote (the green bits), feldspar (the pink bits), and clear quartz. Unakite is a metamorphic stone with splotches of green and pink. There are also occurrences of greenish beryl at the area around Ladysmith if you’re looking for something unique. They’re the primary “score” for most collectors on the hunt but the locations where they’re commonly found are kept secret due to the gem’s value.įor those interested in self-collecting a sample of this mineral, you’re best to look in Amelia County. Here and there a free press into the aquamarine range of coloration but these are vanishingly rare and not of gem-quality. Aquamarine and emerald are both forms of beryl with impurities lending them color, but morganite, heliodor, and others are of the same type.īeryl samples from Virginia are generally white and opaque. Berylīeryl is a large family of gemstones, containing some of the classics. This area is known to house gem-quality kyanite for those who are willing to put in the effort and look. If you’re looking for kyanite, try the area around Hurrican Knob. Many samples are grey or close to black, especially with bladed crystals, due to impurities trapped in the crystals. Gem-quality material and blades are both found in Virginia, so it’s just a matter of trying in the right spot until you find what you’re looking for. Kyanite is actually softer when you cross the fibers of the crystals than when you move along them. One of the defining features of the mineral is its directional hardness. It’s a deep blue crystal that often appears as large blades or fans, but it also appears as single crystals of gem quality. Kyanite is one of the stranger minerals out there. The majority of the mineral found in the state is found in Amelia County, and especially from the Morefield Mine which is sometimes open to the public. It’s even the unofficial state mineral of Virginia! That’s led to it being a mineral that’s highly sought-after by collectors. The samples from Virginia are among the best in the nation, easily rivaling the material that comes from other sources including the famous ones in Colorado. Oddly enough, we’re not 100% sure what causes the color, instead it appears to be a conglomeration of effects from iron, lead, and others that are held in the crystals. Despite a long history of use, the mineral was only formally described in the 1800s. It’s often used for jewelry and decorative carvings due to the masses it occurs in. AmazoniteĪmazonite is a blue-green variety of microcline feldspar. What Types of Gemstones Can Be Found in Virginia? 1. Where To Hunt For Gemstones In Virginia 1. And generally speaking, whatever you find is yours to keep. These are properties that are most often time privately owned where you can dig, pan, or search for gemstones in exchange for a fee. In short, what I’m referring to are pay-to-dig sites. I just want to take a moment and clarify what it is I mean when I say public gem mines and the type of gem mines I’m including in this list. This may not be a comprehensive list of public gem mines in Virginia, but it is a great place to start your search.Īnd as always, be sure to verify for yourself that any mine you plan on visiting is indeed open before you head out. So, let’s take a look at some of the gemstone mines in Virginia that are open to the public. To do this, all you need to do is know where to look. In order to locate some of these gemstones, especially when travelling with a family to simply visit gem mines that are open to the public. An enthusiastic rockhound can rack up quite the collection of items in this state. It goes without saying that Virginia is an incredible state, but it’s also one that’s rich in a wide variety of minerals and gemstones.
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