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Getting StartedRocks & Minerals In New Jersey
New Jersey rockhounding maps to hunt for crystals, gemstones, minerals, and ores. New Jersey is a treasure trove for rockhounds, with abundant finds such as zeolites, prehnite, and fluorescent minerals. The state's rich mining history and diverse geology make it an attractive destination for collectors, from the Franklin and Sterling Hill mines to the Watchung basalt flows.
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Visit StorePlease always bring appropriate attire and do research before venturing out to rock hunt and crystal hunt. Also, be sure to verify that the location you want to hunt at is available for public access. Rockhounding.org does our best to verify, but it is your responsibility to verify as well because sometimes things change. We are not liable for any actions you take from the information you find on this site.
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Popular Rocks, Crystals, & Gemstones In New Jersey
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Prehnite
New Jersey is known for its abundant deposits of prehnite, a pale green mineral commonly found in basalt trap rock quarries. The Watchung Mountains and Paterson are popular places to find prehnite specimens.
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Zeolites
Zeolites, a group of microporous minerals, are found throughout New Jersey, particularly in the basalt quarries near Paterson. Collectors can find varieties like stilbite, heulandite, and chabazite.
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Fluorite
Fluorite, a colorful mineral that forms in cubic crystals, is found in various locations in New Jersey, including the Franklin and Sterling Hill mines. These mines are famous for their unique and rare fluorescent minerals.
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Amber
Amber, fossilized tree resin, has been found along the shores of the Raritan Bay in New Jersey. These deposits are remnants of ancient forests and contain insects and plant material preserved within the amber.
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Garnet
Garnets are found in various locations throughout New Jersey, particularly in the Highlands Region. The most common type of garnet found in New Jersey is almandine, which is often found in schist and gneiss rocks.
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Quartz
Quartz, one of the most common minerals on Earth, is found in many locations in New Jersey, including the Kittatinny Mountains and the Delaware Water Gap. Collectors can find varieties such as smoky quartz and milky quartz.
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Popular Rock Hunting Areas In New Jersey
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Sterling Hill Mining Museum
Sterling Hill Mining Museum in New Jersey is home to the famous zinc mine, where visitors can collect fluorescent minerals like willemite, calcite, and franklinite. The museum offers guided tours and mining experiences.
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Big Brook Preserve
Big Brook Preserve in New Jersey is a popular spot for fossil hunting, where visitors can find shark teeth, belemnites, and other marine fossils from the Late Cretaceous period in the stream bed.
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Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in New Jersey offers rockhounding opportunities along the Passaic River, where visitors can find various rocks and minerals, such as jasper and quartz.
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Ramanessin Brook
Ramanessin Brook in New Jersey is another popular location for fossil hunting. Visitors can search the stream bed for fossils like shark teeth, belemnites, and ammonites from the Late Cretaceous period.
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Palisades Interstate Park
Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey offers rockhounding opportunities along the Hudson River, where visitors can find rocks and minerals like basalt, quartz, and various fossils in the cliff formations.
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Watchung Reservation
Watchung Reservation in New Jersey is a popular location for rockhounding, where visitors can search for various rocks and minerals, such as magnetite, quartz, and prehnite, in the basaltic and trap rock formations.
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Geology of New Jersey
The geologic history of New Jersey dates back over a billion years, with the formation of ancient rocks during the Precambrian Era. The state's diverse geology is a result of multiple orogenies during the Paleozoic Era, such as the Taconic, Acadian, and Alleghenian, which contributed to the formation of the Appalachian Mountains.
During the Mesozoic Era, New Jersey experienced rifting and the formation of the Newark Basin. The state's famous Watchung Basalt flows were formed during this time. The last Ice Age further shaped New Jersey's landscape, creating glacial features such as moraines, kettle lakes, and the terminal moraine known as the Harbor Hill-Ronkonkoma Moraine.