Crystal and Gem Mining: Washington State

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Crystal and gem mining: Washington State.  As the spring and summer months are getting closer families and friends are looking forward to participating with one another in some fun and exciting outdoor activities. Some of these fun and exciting outdoor activities can be enjoyed for free such as crystal and gem mining. In order to get started be sure to pick up some crystal and gem mining tools, find some locations that are filled with all sorts of minerals, and gain the proper authorization before heading out.

Green Ridge – King County Washington
There are four private mining claims located in the Green Ridge area that cover the exposed breccias body. Unfortunately collecting crystals and gems at this location is not permissible unless proper authorization is given which can be easily obtained by any one of the claim owners found at Cascade Scepters. It is estimated that between 28 million and 22 million years ago (MYA) the Old Cascade Volcanic Arc exposed plutonic rock belonging to the Snoqualmie Batholiths near Snoqualmie Pass via uplift and erosion. Some minerals that can be found in this area include Barite, Pyrite, Chalcopyrite, and Quartz.  This is a great area for crystal and gem mining.

Quartz Creek/Rainy Mine – King County Washington
Near North Bend located in King County not too far from Green Ridge crystal and gem miners can find the Quartz Creek (Rainy) Mine. Here Quartz crystals are of the most common minerals to find however a number of different minerals can be found here as well including Chalcopyrite, Pyrite, Talc, Tourmaline, and even Copper. Copper was discovered at Quartz Creek in 1901 which led to mining operations lasting until the mid 20th century and even included the development of two shallow tunnels to be dug approximately 106 feet into the bedrock.

Robertson Pit – Mason County Washington
The Robertson Pit is located near the city of Dayton just inside Mason County. At this location minerals such as Calcite, Chlorite, Pyrite, Mesolite, and Natrolite can be found. Much of Robertson Pit is made up of Crescent Formations which are found to be comprised of a large amount of submarine basalt. Based on gravity studies these Crescent Formations are consistent throughout Robertson Pit and are believed to extend beneath the Puget Sound all the way towards Seattle.  This is another great crystal and gem mining location in Washington State.

Rock Candy Mountain Road Cut – Thurston County Washington
Within Thurston County not too far inside Capitol Forest miners are able to mine for Stilbite, Levyne, and Chabazie minerals in a famous stretch known as the Rock Candy Mountain Road Cut. This stretch is much similar to the Robertson Pit as it is too made up of Crescent Formations that contain mostly submarine basalts creating the assumption that it may have made up the basement of the Coastal range roughly 60 million years ago (MYA). However, the majority of the Crescent Formation that exists on the eastern side is covered with Quaternary glacial till deposits.

Doty Hills – Lewis County Washington
Near the city of Centralia inside Lewis County Augite minerals can be mostly found at the crystal and gem location of Doty Hills. Here Augite minerals are found at an average of 1 to 1 ½ inches in length and show perfect monoclinic symmetry. However, these minerals are a bit harder to find as crystal and gem miners will have to sift continuously through a greenish black augite-plagioclase porphyry lithic tuff. Once found though, the Augite minerals are easily identifiable by their pronounced symmetry in comparison to the groundmass that will surround them.

 

Sources:

“Washington’s Minerals.” Educational Resource
http://washingtonminerals.com/

 

“Quartz Crystal Hunting in Washington State.” eHow

http://www.ehow.com/info_12033551_quartz-crystal-hunting-washington.html

Alden Morris
Proprietor at All Done Marketing
Alden Morris is a freelance writer and producer of content aimed to create interest, inspire, and educate.