Arkansas Quartz Crystal Mining

Everyone who loves quartz crystal has probably dreamed about mining your own crystals. So why not make that dream come true. All it takes is a simple trip to beautiful Arkansas.

You are fortunate enough to have access to one of the largest quartz crystal belts in the world. The high quality and marvelous variety of Arkansas quartz crystal is world-renowned. It is preferred and eagerly sought after by both collectors and the scientific community. So come on down to Arkansas and start fulfilling your dream.

There are so many wonderful benefits that are associated with finding your own crystals. First and foremost, you are going to find plenty of high quality Arkansas quartz crystal. There are also a large variety of shapes and types for you to find. These could include:
· Crystal points
· Crystal clusters
· Double terminated crystals
· Tabby crystals
· Golden healers
· Self-healed crystals
· Channeling crystals
· Twin crystals
· Record keeper crystals
· Window crystals
· Transmitter crystals
· Wand crystals
· Fade-line crystals
· Phantom quartz
· Curved/twisted crystals

Digging for your own quartz crystal is a healthy and invigorating activity. It’s something that the whole family can enjoy and participate in together. There are no limitations on age, size or gender. There are even people who dig in wheelchairs. However, not all mining location meet the requirement needed for wheelchairs.

You are ready to begin the search, but you need to know what to look for. Most people have a pretty good idea about what a crystal looks like. But here, in their natural surroundings crystals are camouflaged. They are not clean or sparkly and most often are muddy and iron-stained. In other words, they look just like the dirt. When you first find something you think might be a crystal, ask for help. There is always an operator on site and usually an experienced digger. They will be glad to assist you in identifying what is or isn’t a crystal. Once you find a few it will become much easier. When in doubt take it home. Sometimes you can be very surprised.

The actual digging takes place in the mine tailings. Tailings are piles of dirt that are brought up out of the mine for you to search through. This makes your search for crystals easier and safer. You will find plenty of good crystal without the danger of being in the actual mine. There are two ways to search for crystals in the tailing piles. One is surface collecting. This is where you walk across the piles and pick up what you see. The other is to find a spot that looks good and dig in.

Surface collecting is pretty easy and very effective. You simply walk back and forth across the tailings and pick up anything that looks like a crystal. Carry a flat head screwdriver around with you to assist in prying up any crystals that are stuck in the dirt. The crystal point you pry up could be part of something much larger. Sunlight changes during the day and may now show crystals that were hidden before. So it will be important to walk over the same areas every few hours. You will be surprised at how many more crystals are just waiting for you. A great time to surface collect is after a heavy rain. Much of the topsoil washes away exposing crystals that were hidden before.

Hand digging for your crystals is hard work, but well worth it. This method gives you a better chance of finding larger points and clusters. Find an area with a lot of red mud showing. This red mud (affectionately called peanut butter) is a good indicator that crystal is present. You will need a small garden rake and a bucket. The rake is used to clear away any dirt that you have already searched through. The bucket is for all those crystal points and clusters you are going to find. You should also wear gloves for protection. Pull some dirt towards you and start squeezing through it. When you feel something hard, remove just enough dirt to see what it is. If it looks and feels like black shiny glass, congratulations, you have found a crystal. Put some mud back on the crystal for protection and place it in your bucket. Clear away any dirt you that you have already searched through and repeat the process. Your bucket will fill up before you know it.

Your ability to find good crystal will improve over time. Until that time comes, keep everything shiny and sort it out at home. This way you will learn what to keep and what to leave behind next time.

Did I forget to mention how affordable it is to mine your own quartz crystal? The various mining locations charge between $10 and $20 a day for adults to dig. Children 10 and under are usually free with a paying adult. You get to keep all of the crystal points and crystal clusters that you find. If you are a camper you’re in luck. There is a lot of tent and RV camping in the area. Some of the mines even have their own campsites. If you prefer the comforts of a motel, you are also in luck. Most of the mines are located between Hot Springs and Mount Ida Arkansas. There are many affordable motels that are close to the mines.

Bring very old clothes to dig in. They will get dirty and become stained with the beautiful red mud. Equipment for digging is minimal, you will need:
· Small garden rakes
· Plastic buckets or bags
· Cheap brown gloves
· Hats and/or sunglasses
· Old flathead screwdrivers
· Sun block
· Band-Aids
· Water
· Snacks

Digging for your own Arkansas quartz crystal is a very dirty activity. But the rewards are rich and many. You will find plenty of crystals to take home. You will meet wonderful people and witness the joy of a child’s face as they find a crystal. As you think back, you will notice that your stress level is lower. Over the years we have watched a lot of people trying to dig without getting dirty. But the powerful influence of the crystal wins out. In a few days even their own families didn’t recognize them. You will become very relaxed and comfortable with the beautiful surroundings. As you sit around a warm fire with your loved ones, words need not be spoken. You are truly tired and together.

Here are some other great things you will find or experience.
· Lots of beautiful Arkansas quartz crystal.
· One of the most exhilarating experiences of your life.
· You will be surrounded by more positive energy than you ever thought was possible.
· You will be surrounded by absolutely beautiful landscape.
· You will meet friendly people helping each other and sharing knowledge.
· Your heart and soul will become much younger than the rest of your body. (Pacing yourself is highly recommended.)
· No TV’s, radios or newspaper. Believe it or not the world still goes on without you.
· Unbelievable sunsets.
· Stars, stars, and more stars.
· A great nights sleep, if you don’t mind the screams of a loon or the screech of an owl.
· A wonderful peace with yourself will overcome you.
· A fond appreciation for the clean crystals you find in stores.
· Gazing into the nighttime campfires.
· Clean air and mineral water.
· The experience of being the first person to touch a crystal that is hundreds of millions of years old.
· Time to plan for your next trip!

Did you know that Mount Ida Arkansas is the "Quartz Crystal Capitol of the World"? Every October they host the "World Championship Quartz Crystal Dig". Which includes:
· Three days of digging
· Good ole’ competition
· Meeting people with similar interest
· Chance to win cash and prizes
· Quartz, Quiltz & Craftz show at the Fairgrounds.

We hope that we have convinced you to fulfill your dream and dig your own Arkansas quartz crystal. Information on quartz crystal mines and "World Championship Quartz Crystal Dig".