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Although Maine is the 12th-smallest U.S. state, don’t let its size fool you! Maine is overflowing with collectible rocks, minerals, and gemstones, as you’ll find out in this article.
As you adventure in the Pine Tree State, you might find these common rocks and minerals:
- jasper,
- sandstone,
- quartzite,
- serpentinite,
- basalt,
- tuff,
- conglomerate,
- tourmaline,
- amethyst,
- beryl,
- kyanite,
- topaz,
- feldspar,
- and biotite.
It’s true that Maine has many unique rocks and minerals for people to collect, but rockhounds still have to do a little digging to find these treasures. Prepare for your Maine rockhounding adventures with this guide.
If you are interested in checking out the best rockhounding tools you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link).
What Rocks Are Found in Maine
Maine has the golden trio of rocks, meaning it has sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks, such as:
Jasper
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Jasper Beach | 44.627418, -67.387766 |
| Franklin County | 44.573223, -68.239673 |
| Kennebec County | 44.470360, -69.759481 |
| Augusta | 44.327653, -69.759188 |
| Madrid | 44.864379, -70.462312 |
| Gleason Cove | 44.967668, -67.059341 |
One of Maine’s best-kept secrets is Jasper Beach, a beach that’s covered with tumbled red jasper stones.
This beach is a heaven for rockhounds who enjoy collecting jasper because, instead of sand, it’s covered with multi-colored jaspers. The most common color of jasper in Maine is red, but it also comes in green, yellow, and brown colors.
Even though Jasper Beach is the best rockhounding spot for jaspers in Maine, it’s not the only place where rockhounds can find this colorful stone. Some other areas to visit for this rock are Franklin County and Kennebec County.
Sandstone
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Moosehead Lake | 45.639842, -69.603696 |
| Traveler Mountain | 46.072307, -68.846904 |
| Waterville | 44.548110, -69.634581 |
| Great Pond | 44.542839, -69.864291 |
| The Forks | 45.321714, -69.855690 |
| Shin Pond | 46.105340, -68.557047 |
Maine is home to a few different types of sandstone, including red sandstone, gray sandstone, and fossiliferous sandstone. Both red and gray sandstone are mainly composed of feldspar and quarts, but the difference is that red sandstone contains high amounts of limonite iron, which gives the rock its red color.
Fossiliferous sandstone contains fossils that are bound together by silica, and it’s mainly composed of aragonite, calcite, and dolomite.
Sandstone exists all over Maine, especially in the central counties of the state. Stop by Moosehead Lake, Traveler Mountain, or the Forks to pick up this sedimentary rock.
Recommendation box: All tools and equipment you need for rockhounding and rock identification* (Amazon links):
1. Estwing Rock Hammer – Light, comfortable, and extremely durable hammer.
2. Estwing Geologist Pick – Classic and the most trusted paleo pick in the world.
3. Finder 12-inch Chisels – Heavy-duty chisels set with hand protection.
4. Mini Handle Shovel – This is a great tool for digging deep in the dirt.
5 Ironclad Utility Work Gloves – Breathable, but they also protect the areas requiring them most.
6. 3M Safety Glasses – Comfortable and efficient goggles for rockhounding.
7. Convoy 8+ UV Light – 365nm UV LED flashlight with a patented glass filter.
8. Wesley’s Jewelers Loupe – High magnification options (30X and 60X) with carrying case.
9. Mohs Hardness Kit – A specially designed kit for rockhounds
*All recommended products are personally tested and regularly used by experts from this website.
Quartzite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Mt Battie | 44.240214, -69.064850 |
| Cape Elizabeth | 44.240214, -69.064850 |
| Carrabassett Valley | 45.076296, -70.257117 |
| Mt Misery | 45.284547, -69.107991 |
| Rockland | 44.116947, -69.103483 |
| Weskeag River | 44.029093, -69.112987 |
Gray, green, white, yellow, and brown quartzite rocks have all been found throughout the Pine Tree State. Occasionally, quartzite from certain areas of Maine is stained red by hematite. For instance, quartzite from northwestern Maine is usually light gray and stained with red hematite, giving it a unique appearance.
Mt Battie, Cape Elizabeth, and Carrabassett Valley are all excellent sites for quartzite in Maine. You can also check out Mt Misery and Rockland for this metamorphic rock.
Serpentinite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Little Deer Isle | 44.290578, -68.723852 |
| Aroostoock County | 46.836696, -68.414630 |
| Hancock County | 44.523024, -68.260924 |
| Oxford County | 44.580086, -70.708478 |
| Jim Pond | 45.262963, -70.502001 |
| Piscataquis County | 45.976068, -69.299221 |
Serpentinite is a rock that’s primarily composed of serpentine minerals, and there’s plenty of it near Little Deer Isle in Maine. Since there’s plenty of serpentine throughout Maine, it’s no surprise that rockhounds find this dark green rock as well.
Little Deer Isle, Aroostoock County, Hancock County, and Oxford Counties have plenty of serpentinite for rockhounds to collect.
Basalt
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Schoodic Point | 44.332249, -68.061240 |
| Casco | 43.976252, -70.501264 |
| Surry | 44.486948, -68.488754 |
| Biddeford | 43.459377, -70.393724 |
| Gerrish Island | 43.078480, -70.675586 |
| Great Spruce Head Island | 44.235528, -68.820711 |
All the rocks mentioned until now have been sedimentary or metamorphic, but basalt is one of the igneous rocks that’s native to Maine. Basalt is a dark, fine-grained igneous rock that is a part of Maine’s bedrock, and basalt dikes are common throughout the coast of the Pine Tree State.
If you want to see some impressive basalt formations and collect basalt along the way, Maine’s coast is the place to be.
Tuff
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Enchanted Stream | 45.328346, -70.106605 |
| West Forks | 45.374715, -70.000609 |
| Isle au Haut | 44.066419, -68.642461 |
| Somerset | 45.355878, -70.125102 |
| Great Cranberry Island (& surrounding Isles) | 44.250116, -68.261525 |
| Mt Desert Island | 44.332252, -68.325825 |
When volcanic ash and volcanic rock fragments combine, it creates a rock called “tuff.” Although the volcanoes in the Pine Tree State are dormant today, Maine used to have the largest active volcanoes in the world, so it makes sense that rockhounds often find tuff and other igneous rocks.
Enchanted Stream, Great Cranberry Island, and Mt Desert Island all have mass amounts of tuff and other igneous rocks. Whenever you are on the hunt for basalt, tuff, or other igneous rocks, Maine’s coast should be your first stop.
TIP: Volcanoes can be dangerous, but they are a great spot for finding unique and beautiful rocks and minerals. Find out more in the article below:
Ten Most Common Types of Rocks You Can Find In Volcanoes
Conglomerate
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Penobscot River | 44.503899, -68.817807 |
| Coos Canyon | 44.720138, -70.631648 |
| Rangeley | 44.956685, -70.744284 |
| Byron | 44.706197, -70.664156 |
| Littleton | 46.235581, -67.831333 |
One common type of sedimentary rock that you can find all over Maine is conglomerate, which is composed of quartz pebbles and sand. You can find all kinds of beautiful quartz crystals in conglomerate rocks, and Maine’s conglomerates are usually discovered near rivers and other waterways.
To add conglomerate to your collection, search near the Penobscot River and Coos Canyon. You can also schedule a trip to Rangeley and Littleton.
What Minerals Are Found in Maine
From topaz to tourmaline, there are many exquisite minerals that exist in Maine, including:
Tourmaline
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Porcupine Hill Quarry | 43.950907, -69.966108 |
| Mount Apatite | 44.095950, -70.298802 |
| Waisanen Quarry | 44.289226, -70.642934 |
| Lord Hill | 44.473741, -69.867851 |
| Bemis Stream Prospect | 44.811796, -70.738238 |
| Poland Mining Camps | 44.073595, -70.411154 |
Did you know that Maine contains the largest deposit of tourmaline in North America? Additionally, the tourmaline from Maine is said to be the finest in the world, and Maine tourmalines rival tourmalines from other famous locations, including Brazil, California, and the Himalayas.
It’s no wonder that Maine’s state mineral is tourmaline, and rockhounds can find every color of high-quality tourmaline in the Pine Tree State.
As you might suspect, some of the best rockhounding areas for tourmaline are outside of Maine’s quarries. Check out Porcupine Hill Quarry, Waisanen Quarry, and Bemis Stream Prospect to find the highest-quality tourmaline in the world.
Amethyst
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Loring Cove | 45.016679, -67.077553 |
| Deer Hill | 44.235145, -70.986631 |
| Sweden | 44.137753, -70.821200 |
| Oxford County | 44.448866, -70.749676 |
| Washington County | 44.839652, -67.465138 |
| Sagadahoc County | 43.992736, -69.813001 |
Many of Maine’s mines and quarries extract high-quality amethyst, among other gemstones, from the earth. Amethysts from Maine can range from light to dark purple, with some displaying hints of red. These amethysts are gem-quality and valuable, so they are an exciting treasure for any rockhound.
There are plenty of great places to find amethyst in Maine, including Loring Cove, Deer Hill, and Oxford County.
TIP: The beauty of amethyst comes at a price, and that price depends on several things. Check out the complete guide in the article below:
Amethyst Value: Main Factors & Prices for Different Units
Beryl
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Albany | 44.332166, -70.845926 |
| Deer Hill | 44.235145, -70.986631 |
| Hedgehog Hill Quarry | 44.468706, -70.452298 |
| Bemis Stream Prospect | 44.811431, -70.737809 |
| Edgecomb Quarry | 43.969669, -69.605044 |
| Melrose Quarry | 44.268736, -70.920200 |
Beryl and its variants are some of the most popular minerals to collect in Maine. Some valuable beryl variants you can find in Maine are emerald, aquamarine, and morganite.
Fortunately, the beryl specimens discovered in the Pine Tree State are usually large and of high quality, making them excellent gems to collect.
In the Pine Tree State, some popular rockhounding sites for beryl are the areas near Melrose Quarry, Edgecomb Quarry, and Hedgehog Hill Quarry.
Kyanite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Mount Abram | 44.369219, -70.712610 |
| Dundee Falls | 43.775755, -70.448707 |
| Windham | 43.762479, -70.401571 |
| Franklin County | 44.948895, -70.587812 |
| Cumberland County | 43.791225, -70.263586 |
| Gorham | 43.685068, -70.453412 |
Maine kyanite is recovered from metamorphic rocks, and it’s known for its signature deep blue color. While the most common color of kyanite from Maine is blue, it does come in other shades, including white, gray, pink, yellow, or green.
The two counties in Maine that produce the most kyanite are Cumberland County and Franklin County. Visit Mount Abram, Dundee Falls, or Gorham to find large pieces of kyanite.
Topaz
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Oxford County | 44.580086, -70.708478 |
| Lord Hill | 44.473741, -69.867851 |
| Waisanen Quarry | 44.289226, -70.642934 |
| Sagadahoc County | 44.022368, -69.970932 |
| Topsham | 43.933516, -69.976828 |
| Fisher Quarry | 43.960709, -69.945785 |
Many large, high-clarity topaz specimens have been pulled from the mines of Maine, and the majority of the stones are clear. Contrary to what many people think, blue is not the default color for topaz.
As a matter of fact, natural blue topaz is extremely rare, and most blue specimens have been treated to achieve that color. Clear and cloudy white are the most common colors of Maine topaz, and they are usually high-quality gems.
All the mines in Oxford County and Sagadahoc County are known for their high-quality topaz. Rockhounds also search near Lord Hill, Fisher Quarry, and Waisanen Quarry for this gem.
Feldspar
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Mount Apatite | 44.095965, -70.298899 |
| Edgecomb Quarry | 43.965946, -69.602828 |
| Hedgehog Hill Quarry | 44.468706, -70.452298 |
| Deer Hill | 44.235145, -70.986631 |
| Bumpus Quarry | 44.312077, -70.781858 |
| Ragged Jack Mountain | 44.423431, -70.407475 |
Feldspar is one of the most abundant minerals in the world, so it’s no surprise that there’s plenty of it in the Pine Tree State. However, even though there are large amounts of feldspar in Maine, the specimens from this state are rarely of gem quality.
The reason for this is that gem-quality feldspar in general is a very rare stone, even rarer than rubies or sapphires. With that being said, feldspar from Maine is still interesting and pretty, even though it’s not gem-quality.
Mount Apatite, Ragged Jack Mountain, and Deer Hill are all great areas for finding feldspar, and you can also check out some nearby quarries, such as Bumpus Quarry and Edgecomb Quarry.
TIP: The most crucial distinction between feldspar and quartz is that feldspar is a group of minerals, whereas quartz is a single mineral. Find out more in the article below:
Feldspar vs. Quartz: What’s the Difference? 5 Crucial Signs
Biotite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Topsham | 43.933516, -69.976828 |
| Sagadahoc County | 44.022368, -69.970932 |
| Franklin County | 44.948895, -70.587812 |
| Porcupine Hill Quarry | 43.950907, -69.966108 |
| Catherine Mountain | 44.616037, -68.088388 |
| Heikkinen Quarry | 44.294806, -70.634512 |
| Singepole Mountain | 44.224638, -70.449589 |
Biotite, a black crystalline mineral, is extremely common in many of Maine’s quarries and mines. Although biotite on its own is common and not very valuable, it does increase in value when it’s found with other gemstones.
Since biotite is composed of pure black crystals, it creates a lovely contrast when it’s found with more colorful gems in the Pine Tree State.
Sagadahoc County, Franklin County, and Catherine Mountain are three of the best places to go for biotite in Maine. But, as previously mentioned, biotite is common in Maine, so you usually won’t need to travel too far to find some.
FAQ About Common Rocks & Minerals in Maine
Even though we have gone over many common rocks and minerals, Maine still has much more to offer rockhounds, as you’ll find out in these FAQs:
What Rare Rocks Can You Find in Maine
In the Pine Tree State, some rare rocks that rockhounds often collect are jaspers, agates, serpentinites, and pegmatites. Whenever rockhounds seek out pegmatites, it’s rarely to collect the pegmatites themselves.
Rockhounds are usually after the valuable gems and minerals contained within pegmatites. Since Maine has over 200 gem and mineral varieties that rockhounds can find within these rocks, it’s no wonder that pegmatites are a popular find.
Another rock that’s a popular find in Maine is jasper. Jaspers in Maine are high-quality, and Jasper Beach is completely covered with this colorful rock. Most Maine jaspers are red, but other colors have been discovered in the state.
To find rare rocks in Maine, check out Franklin County, Oxford County, and Kennebec County. If you have time, be sure to swing by Jasper Beach to see some gorgeous jaspers and great views!
BTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? The books listed below are the best ones you can find on the internet (Amazon links):
- Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals
- Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home)
- Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids)
What Rare Minerals Can You Find in Maine
If you want to add some rare minerals to your collection, Maine is a great state to visit. The Pine Tree State has many different types of gems, such as:
- tourmaline,
- topaz,
- beryl,
- kyanite,
- staurolite,
- amethyst,
- garnet,
- aquamarine,
- morganite,
- smoky quartz,
- vesuvianite,
- bloodstone,
- and even anglesite.
Out of all these minerals, Maine is mostly known for its tourmaline, topaz, and beryl because these three gems are of exceptional quality in this state.
The areas surrounding Maine’s quarries are some of the best places to look for rare minerals. Search near Oxford County, Sagadahoc County, Franklin County, and Washington County for these valuable gems.
What is the Most Famous Rock or Mineral Found in Maine
There are a lot of minerals in Maine, but one that outshines all the rest is tourmaline. Maine produces some of the best tourmaline in the world, rivaling the high-quality specimens from California, Brazil, and Pakistan.
Due to its beautiful luster and bright colors, Maine’s tourmaline is highly sought-after by local and visiting rockhounds. In the Pine Tree State, tourmaline can appear in many shades of black, white, red, green, and blue.
The areas near Maine’s quarries, such as the Porcupine Hill Quarry and Waisanen Quarry, are great sites for rockhounds who are on the hunt for tourmaline. You can also check out the locations that are listed under the tourmaline section of this article.
Conclusion
From world-famous tourmaline mines to beaches covered in jasper, the Pine Tree State has something interesting for every rockhound.
Jasper, quartzite, serpentinite, tourmaline, topaz, amethyst, kyanite, and more are wonderful additions to any rockhound’s collection, and you can find all these stones and more in Maine.
Additionally, many of Maine’s minerals are gem-quality, meaning that they are not only beautiful but valuable as well. Whether you visit the coast or central Maine, you are sure to have some once-in-a-lifetime rockhounding experiences in this state!
TIP: Maine has a lot of locations that are packed with various rocks and minerals that you can find. Check out the complete guide on rockhounding in Maine below:
Best Rockhounding Sites (+ Beaches) in Maine & What To Find