Gem Hunting

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Find Your Sparkle Digging for Quartz in Arkansas

Hidden beneath the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas holds some of the clearest quartz crystals on Earth. Families can dig, discover and keep every glittering gem they uncover.

In the heart of southwest Arkansas, families can turn a day outdoors into a real-life treasure hunt. The Ouachita Mountains are known worldwide for their natural quartz crystals, prized for their clarity and shimmer. Visitors of all ages can roll up their sleeves, grab a shovel and experience the excitement of unearthing gems that have been forming underground for millions of years. Along with quartz, many mines yield natural finds like agate, jasper and amethyst, turning every dig into a surprise worth discovering.

Top spots for crystal hunting include Ron Coleman Mining in Jessieville, famous for massive quartz clusters and a zip line that soars above the site, and Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines in Mount Ida, where visitors can choose from several dig experiences suited for any skill level.

Avant Mining at Fisher Mountain is the largest quartz mine in the world, while Twin Creek Crystal Mine and Sweet Surrender Crystal Mine offer authentic working digs where families can see what real mining looks like. Crystal Vista offers crystal pockets near Mount Ida that are free to explore. Most sites provide equipment rentals and tips for spotting that unmistakable flash in the soil.

Whether it’s your first crystal or your 50th, gem hunting in Arkansas promises a day that shines.