9 Gemstones in Pennsylvania: Where to Find Them and How to Use Them

Pennsylvania has an exciting variety of gems and minerals to look for. This state is full of rockhounding locations and has no shortage of high-quality crystals.

I’m sure you, too, will be intrigued by the gemstones here, so let’s learn how to find gemstones in Pennsylvania, what stones are found in Pennsylvania, and where are crystals in Pennsylvania found?

Find gemstones in Pennsylvania by properly preparing to rockhound various suitable locations. You can find crystals, including Amethyst, Celestine, Serpentine, Quartz, Azurite, Zircon, Fluorite, Tourmaline, Garnet, and many more. The southeast of Pennsylvania has more collectible minerals.

Rockhounding in Pennsylvania allows you several options, and we will help you prepare accordingly by discussing some of the key locations, geology, weather, crystals essential gear, and regulations. 

Basics of Rockhounding in Pennsylvania

Basic Geology, History, and Landscape of Pennsylvania 

Pennsylvania has sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks, and this contributes to the epic variety of crystals that can be found here. Most terrain is sedimentary, with metamorphic rocks found at deeper layers.

The first native people (Lenape and Susquehannock tribes) of what we now know as Pennsylvania were the original rockhounds and utilized iron-bearing minerals for paint pigments, clay for sculpting vessels, and flint as well as other hard rock for making arrowheads.

Pennsylvania’s landscape includes the ancient Appalachian mountains, streams, rivers, creeks, valley woodland, and caves. Rockhounding within these grand natural features is an experience on its own. There are also various abandoned mines, quarries, and exposed rock on roadsides. 

Weather and Wildlife of Pennsylvania 

This state is classified as a humid continental climate, with vastly contrasting seasons, including hot, humid summers and cold winters. The most comfortable months to visit Pennsylvania are June, August, and September.

Rainfall is distributed throughout the year but more so in winter and spring, with a higher possibility of floods in March and April. And the most snowfall is in January. Be sure to prepare accordingly with appropriate clothing and safety gear for the season.

The beautiful landscape of Pennsylvania is also home to many creatures. You will likely see some interesting birds, but keep aware, research, and have emergency gear or numbers reserved for rare encounters with more dangerous animals, such as black bears, coyotes, venomous snakes, or insect bites.

Best Pennsylvania Rockhounding Locations

Here is a summary of some of the many notable locations where crystals can be found in Pennsylvania. Please continue researching before visiting any place. Get the most current details on exactly where to visit, if the sites are still open, and any corresponding regulations.

Disclaimer: This list is based on cross-referenced research, and we have not visited these locations in person.

Top 9 Gemstones in Pennsylvania

With approximately 300 minerals in this state, there are too many gemstones found in Pennsylvania to discuss each in detail in a single article. Below, we explore just some of the most significant or interesting crystals in Pennsylvania.

Serpentine 

A group of unique greenish rocks that get their coloration from the mineral chromium, in Pennsylvania, the most common varieties of Serpentine are Clinocrysolite, Lizardite, and Antigorite.

The regions where it can be found include Chester, Lancaster, Delaware, and Northampton counties. Serpentine was so popular that it was used as a building stone until around the 19th century. It is no longer used as it contains asbestos, and has relatively low hardness.

The metaphysical nature of this greenish crystal, which often includes other colors, is linked to the Heart Chakra and divine feminine or goddess energy. Serpentine is protective, wise, and enlightening.

You can collect Serpentine along some creeks and rivers, but to get better access to this crystal, you will need to carry your chisels, hammers, and safety gear accordingly.

Celestine

The first recorded discovery in Celestine was in Blair County, Pennsylvania, and it is now the state mineral. This pale blue to colorless mineral forms as small crystals or fibrous masses with a vitreous luster.

Celestine can be found in Northumberland County and Blair County. You will need your essential mining equipment and personal safety gear to quarry these soft and beautiful crystals carefully.

The name Celestine summarizes its energy, which is purely celestial and angelic. This is a crystal of peace, higher consciousness, spiritual communication, and guidance.

Amethyst

Amethyst can be found in various locations around Pennsylvania, notably but not limited to the Chester, Delaware, Bedford, and Montgomery Counties. This is the state gem of Pennsylvania, and precious gem-quality Amethyst can be found here.

If you are looking along the creeks, then simple screen panning equipment and a small shovel are all you need. In other locations, you will require your hammer, pick, chisels, and safety wear to get to the Amethyst crystal.

Alongside physical beauty, these striking purple gems are associated with spiritual enlightenment. The energy-healing benefits of Amethyst include anxiety relief, improved focus and learning capacity, clarity, and mood regulation. The spiritual benefits include intuition and psychic power.

Zircon

Tiny Zircon crystals that are colorless, yellow, gray, reddish-brown, brown, or black with an adamantine or vitreous luster can be found in Delaware, Northampton, and Bucks Counties. 

They can be found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock. It can also be panned from alluvial deposits and streams throughout Pennsylvania, so be sure to carry your shovel, screens, and a jeweler’s loupe to assist you in gathering Zircon crystals.

Zircon crystals have an air of respect and dignity. The vibration of these crystals leads to healing benefits, including positive change, rising above your vices, confidence, and open-mindedness. On a spiritual level, this crystal upgrades your intuition, manifestation, and spiritual wisdom.

Azurite

Stunning blue specimens of the copper-related crystal, Azurite can be found in Adams, Berk, Lebanon, and York counties of Pennsylvania. It can be found in combination with Malachite.

A popular site where you can pick Azurite is the famous road cut location known as Rossville Road in York County. In this location and most other areas, you will need your hammers, chisels, picks, and safety gear to procure Azurite.

Azurite is a powerful crystal for improving and enhancing communication on all levels. Its energy is helpful for clarity and self-expression as well as for channeling and dreamwork.

Quartz

Many Quartz varieties can be found in Pennsylvania, including Smoky, Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Jasper, Chalcedony, Blue Quartz, and Rutile Quartz, but Clear or Milky Quartz are the most common.

This state produces some stunning Clear Quartz points and clusters, which can be found in many locations, including but definitely not restricted to Schuylkill, Lancaster, and Chesterfield counties. You may even have luck finding Geodes in Pennsylvania. 

You can find various Quartz in streams around the state for which you may need your panning equipment, but if you are visiting mining locations, do take along appropriate mining tools and safety gear.

Quartz’s vibration is naturally amplifying. All Quartz crystals have the effect of clarifying and deeply healing. Clear Quartz points, in particular, can be easily programmed with intention.

Please Always Research: Look for the most up-to-date info before visiting any locations. A relevant example is the popularly recommended site, the Echo, in McAdoo, which many local people now strongly report is considered precarious and unsafe.

Fluorite

Fluorite is another sought-after crystal found in Pennsylvania. It is a vitreous crystal that, in this state, is found most commonly in various shades of purple. It can also be colorless, white, green, blue, or yellow and sometimes found in combination with Calcite.

Fluorite crystals have been found in Chester, Delaware, Lancaster Counties, and various other localities in Eastern and South-Central Pennsylvania. 

It is an easily breakable stone that makes it tricky to mine. You may find smaller pieces scattered in quarries, but you will need your mining and safety as well as a delicate touch to procure Fluorite.

Fluorite is a crystal that can bring more flow into our lives. It has energy healing benefits that include stabilizing emotions, mental clarity, and immunity. Fluorite’s metaphysical properties include auric cleansing, clairvoyance, intuition, and spiritual growth. 

Tourmaline 

The most common variety of Tourmaline in Pennsylvania is Schorl, a  black crystal with a vitreous luster. These crystals can be seen as small radiating grains within sandstones.

You can use essential mining tools, such as hammer, chisel, pick, sieve, and safety equipment to dig or pan for Tourmaline in Delaware and Philadelphia Counties. 

Smaller crystals are found within different matrices, combined with other crystals, including Quartz, Mica, and Sandstone. Slightly larger individual pieces may also be found.

Black Tourmaline is a powerful protective and grounding force. This crystal has the energy healing benefits of cleaning up lower vibrations, dark thoughts, emotions, or interactions.

Garnet

Different Garnets can be found around most of Pennsylvania. Try panning in streams of the glaciated regions for these red treasures. Search the various rockhounding locations of Delaware, Philadelphia, or Chester Counties.

The three types of Garnets that are usually found here include Andradite, Spessartine, and Almandine Garnets. They can be found within matrix rocks or loose in creeks. Carry your panning tools as well as your hammer, chisels, and safety gear to extract Garnets. 

Garnets are known to be profoundly activating for the Root Chakra. Its spiritual benefits include increased power in manifestation, transformation, and kundalini awakening. Other properties include physical vitality, instincts, passion and intimacy in relationships, and creative expression.

How to Do Rockhounding in Pennsylvania

Your Rockhounding in Pennsylvania will be successful if you put in the due research and preparation. We suggest you consider packing most of the following gear to find and extract different stones in different areas.

Tools and Gear You Need to Dig and Find Crystals in Pennsylvania 

• Hand Lens or Jewellers Loupe: To magnify specimens and help with identifying different crystals accurately.
• Shovels: Smaller hand shovels and larger shovels, according to the crystals you’re looking for and the terrain. They are used to uncover lower layers of gravel or soil.
• Safety Gloves: Whether you are surface picking or digging comfortable safety gloves are appropriate protection, especially when using tools. 
• Safety Glasses: Necessary for protecting your eyes when hitting different rocks to extract crystals.
• Hard Hat: A must when visiting underground mines, caves, or anywhere with the possibility of falling rocks. 
• Boots: Protecting your feet from injury on rougher rockhounding terrains. Long waterproof boots can also be worn when walking along the water to pan.
• Weather-Appropriate Clothing: Pack clothing according to the weather and for the possibility of extreme weather in any season. It’s best to be prepared to be comfy and for you to maximize your time outdoors looking for gems.
• Panning Equipment: Screens for separating, sifting through gravel, and separating sediments so you can adequately see and pick up the gems you seek.
• Rock Hammers, Chisels, and Picks: For mining in Pennsylvania, you will need a quality rock hammer, chisel set, a strong flat screwdriver, and a pick on hand. 
• Brushes: Brushes of varied hardness or softness help clean off and observe crystals.
• Secure Boxes or Bags: Sturdy containers or bags to store your crystals as you collect them on-site.
• Flashlight or Headlamp: Helpful for observing crystals in darker spaces and for clearly observing and identifying particular crystals (for transparency, clarity, and light refraction).

How to Pack and Transport Crystals You Find 

• Packaging: Have enough paper or fabric pieces for wrapping up harder stones and soft tissue paper or bubble wrap to individually more fragile crystals. 
• Cataloging: Design a labeling system that works for you. We suggest small, premade info cards or stickers. You can fill in and attach them to the packaging of each gem.
• Transportation: Place wrapped crystals snugly in a sealable container, strong bag, or box so they can not easily move around.

Safety Regulations and Mining Laws for Rockhounding in Pennsylvania 

• Laws: To collect in State Parks, check the up-to-date laws for each specific park as regulations differ. Collecting specimens in designated public areas for your personal collection does not necessarily require a permit, but if you plan on selling the gems, you must obtain one from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 
• Private Land: Obtain explicit permission from private landowners before collecting any specimens.
• Safety: Keep safety gear and weather-appropriate clothing accessible. Verify the up-to-date status of any locations you want to visit, as land and laws are constantly changing.

Tips for Rockhounding Like a Pro in Pennsylvania

• Research: Conduct research that includes multiple sources. Consult materials such as local research papers, field guidebooks for Pennsylvania, local websites, local news, local geology museums, and groups.
• Respect: Whether you are on private or public land, be respectful by leaving no trace and properly filling back in any holes you create. Avoid damaging flora and fauna during your search 
• Patience: Rockhounding gems, more often than not, require a high level of patience, commitment, and perseverance.
• Connect: Contact local Pennsylvania rockhounding groups or rockhounds from the region. Ask many questions, or arrange a rockhounding mission together with a local or group.
• Field Guides: There are books specific to Pennsylvania that help you learn about and identify crystals you find here.
• Timing: Weather-wise, the best times to visit Pennsylvania are June, August, and September. If you choose to visit during more extreme weather, prepare accordingly on a physical and mental level.
• Nutrition and Hydration: Carry enough healthy hydration and food to sustain you properly. This will help you maintain energy, allowing you to make the most of your adventure.

Find Pennsylvania Crystals and Start Using Them!

To intrigue you further, some of the other finds in this state include Moonstone, Sunstone, Pyrite, Mica, Chlorite, Olivine, Wavelite, Barite, Calcite, Gypsum, Dolomite, Halite, Hematite, Magnetite, Chromite, Sphalerite, Galena, as well as Gold, Copper and many fossils.

As you see, we only touched the surface with the crystals found in Pennsylvania. Here is the summary of those nine gems, including the counties they are usually found in, the tools you may need to procure them, and each crystal’s energy-healing properties.