How to find Crystals in Arkansas

Finding crystals in Arkansas is relatively easy and all of the family can do it. You will need to go to one area, Mt Ida to Hot Springs. There are mines that charge anywhere from $10 a day on up. Most open at sunup and close at sundown. After collecting the fee, they show you where you can look. You can go online to find the mines that are listed who allow digging. Mines are usually open year round, except if weather is bad or there has been a lot of rain. The best time of year to go is spring or fall, when it is not too hot.

At most of the fee-pay mines, the miners collect from veins and pockets in the walls and floor of the mine, usually a pit. The mine operators don't get ALL the good quartz! They load up the tailings and clay from the pockets and bring the material out and dump it in the fee area. That is where you will look for crystals they have overlooked. It is dirty work, and you need to dress for it. You need to wear clothes that you don't mind throwing away afterwards, and have plenty of water and snacks cause you won't want to leave until sundown. You will need a yard claw or small shovel or something to move the clay dirt around to look. Sometimes the clay is really thick and you can't see much of the crystal, but go ahead and place in your bucket for later when you wash everything to see what you want to keep.

I usually plan at least a long weekend, so I can have 2 days to dig. Some of the mines provide water to hose off the specimens so you can see if you wish to keep. Otherwise, you can take the crystals home and wash them off with a hose. You won't want to get that hard red clay in your sink pipes, so go outside to do it. I usually let them soak in a bucket, then hose them off, and using an old toothbrush or dental tool, pick off the clay.

Once you have cleaned your crystals, and had them dry, they are beautiful to add to your garden or inside in a bowl or give as gifts. Also a great experience for all, adults and children.