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From looming granite formations to colorful fall foliage, there is a lot to see and do in New Hampshire, especially for rockhounds. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about the rocks, minerals, and gems of the Granite State.
The common rocks and minerals of the Granite State include:
- granite,
- geode,
- jasper,
- flint,
- amethyst,
- staurolite,
- beryl,
- fluorite,
- smoky quartz,
- topaz,
- and garnet.
The Granite State has plenty of fascinating stones for rockhounds, and you can even collect precious gems if you know where to search. With rockhounding locations and helpful information, this guide dives into all the specifics you’ll need to know when rockhounding in New Hampshire.
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 New Hampshire
Although New Hampshire is famous for its granite, it has many other rocks, such as:
Granite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| White Mountains | 44.164102, -71.431871 |
| Rattlesnake Hill | 43.228190, -71.573942 |
| Milford | 42.823850, -71.685786 |
| Redstone Granite Quarry | 43.222561, -71.579392 |
| Merrimack County | 42.864237, -71.505130 |
| Kennard Ledge Quarry (now Derryfield park) | 42.996786, -71.441593 |
| Saddleback Mountain | 43.180046, -71.201069 |
All over New Hampshire, you’ll see granite buildings, walls, and even bridges. Due to its massive deposits of high-quality granite, New Hampshire gained the nickname “the Granite State.” Additionally, granite was nominated as New Hampshire’s state rock in 1985. Granite from this state is durable, high-quality, and known for its attractive coloring.
If you want to collect granite from New Hampshire, you will not need to travel very far. Check out the areas outside the granite quarries or search near the White Mountains for this rock.
Geode
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Mount Monadnock | 42.860922, -72.108284 |
| White Mountains | 44.164102, -71.431871 |
| Concord | 43.237687, -71.600387 |
| Moat Mountain | 44.042538, -71.215264 |
| Ruggles Mine | 43.589576, -71.994707 |
Although they are rare, New Hampshire has a nice variety of geodes for rockhounds, and you can find specimens with beautiful amethyst and quartz crystals.
Additionally, since smoky quartz is common throughout the state, you might find some geodes that contain this mineral. With that being said, these rocks are not as common in New Hampshire as they are in other states, so you might have to do some serious digging to bring home geodes from this state.
Your best bet for finding geodes in New Hampshire is looking near its mountains. Moat Mountain, Mount Monadnock, and the White Mountains are the perfect places to start.
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.
Jasper
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Grafton | 43.556876, -71.957856 |
| Gilmanton | 43.417866, -71.412640 |
| Hanover | 43.735242, -72.143394 |
| Francestown | 42.990275, -71.829675 |
| Belknap County | 43.460743, -71.500531 |
| Hillsborough County | 42.940511, -71.718490 |
If you want to collect high-quality red jasper, then New Hampshire has exactly what you’re looking for! There are a few areas in this state where rockhounds collect quality jaspers, which are typically red and white.
Hillsborough County and Belknap County are two of the top areas for jaspers in New Hampshire. Grafton, Gilmanton, and Hanover are also popular places to go for this rock.
Flint
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Lake Winnipesaukee | 43.577396, -71.368831 |
| Pemigewasset River | 44.122937, -71.683672 |
| Connecticut River | 43.290155, -72.392898 |
| Merrimack River | 43.032585, -71.475140 |
| Salmon Falls River | 43.281623, -70.894786 |
| Sunapee Lake | 43.381319, -72.065284 |
Both flint and chert exist in the Granite State, and you can find them in multiple areas, especially near riverbanks and creek beds. Some rockhounds even stumble upon flint and chert in wooded areas of the state as well.
Any of the major rivers and lakes in New Hampshire are fair game for flint and chert. Lake Winnipesaukee and the Pemigewasset River are two great areas for rockhounding.
TIP: The best way to find flint in nature is to understand how it formed. Find out more in the article below:
Where to Find Flint: Best Environments & Locations (USA)
What Minerals Are Found in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a great place to be for mineral collectors, and some common minerals and gems you might find are:
Amethyst
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Redstone | 44.014534, -71.100941 |
| Stratford | 44.699353, -71.535704 |
| Hurricane Mountain | 44.072537, -71.073426 |
| Pillsbury Ridge | 43.524268, -71.992264 |
| Grafton | 43.556876, -71.957856 |
| White Mountains | 44.164102, -71.431871 |
One mineral that exists all over New Hampshire is amethyst. You can find high-quality pieces of this mineral everywhere in the Granite State, especially in the granite pegmatites.
Anywhere you go in New Hampshire, you’ll be able to find amethyst. Check out Hurricane Mountain, the White Mountains, and Pillsbury Ridge for this purple mineral.
Staurolite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Ruggles Mine | 43.589576, -71.994707 |
| Pond Hill | 44.196298, -71.874038 |
| Grafton County | 43.852892, -71.780605 |
| Pearl Lake | 44.199472, -71.869008 |
| Ore Hill | 44.199168, -71.792077 |
| Lisbon | 44.225414, -71.885378 |
Staurolite, also called “Fairy Crosses,” often occur alongside garnets in New Hampshire, and you can collect fine specimens in this state. While crosses with four points are the most common, there are New Hampshire crosses that have six points.
Ruggles Mine and Pearl Lake are two areas that are famous for their quality staurolite. Ore Hill and Pond Hill are also great locations for this mineral.
Beryl
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Beryl Mountain | 43.179669, -72.293675 |
| Grafton County | 43.852892, -71.780605 |
| Merrimack County | 42.863734, -71.504786 |
| Province Lake | 43.685624, -70.998261 |
| Derry Hill | 43.205378, -72.307578 |
| Melvin Hill | 43.516768, -72.003120 |
Even though there isn’t a lot of gem-quality beryl in New Hampshire, you can find colorful crystals that any rockhound would be proud to own.
The most common beryl colors in this state are yellow and green, but blue crystals have been found as well. Search near pegmatites and granite outcroppings for colorful beryl specimens.
There are many places in New Hampshire that possess beryl, such as Beryl Mountain and Province Lake. Grafton County and Merrimack County also have plenty of beryl for rockhounds.
Fluorite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Victor Head | 44.643788, -71.411196 |
| Greens Ledge | 44.557310, -71.324716 |
| Spofford Lake | 42.906122, -72.440020 |
| Cheshire County | 42.936578, -72.241794 |
| Bald Hill | 42.927114, -72.397072 |
| Westmoreland | 42.957472, -72.434088 |
Fortunately, New Hampshire is a great place to find well-formed fluorite crystals. Rockhounds collect a few different varieties from this state, including rainbow, green, and yellow crystals. The type and quality of fluorite you find will depend on the location you visit.
Swing by Victor Head, Green Ledge, and Spofford Lake to bring home New Hampshire fluorite crystals. Bald Hill and Westmoreland are also worth a visit if you’re on the hunt for fluorite.
TIP: Fluorite can be extremely valuable because of these main factors: color, zonality, crystal habit, mineral paragenesis, and clarity. Find out more in the article below:
Fluorite Value: Main Factors & Prices for Different Units
Smoky Quartz
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Moat Mountain | 44.042502, -71.214578 |
| Victor Head | 44.643788, -71.411196 |
| Moose Mountain | 43.734743, -72.140529 |
| Greens Ledge | 44.557310, -71.324716 |
| Ruggles Mine | 43.589576, -71.994707 |
| Grafton | 43.556876, -71.957856 |
Even though you can find clear quartz in the Granite State, rockhounds usually want to acquire the smoky quartz from this state. This state has beautiful smoky quartz crystals, known for their shape and gorgeous coloring.
You can collect smoky quartz from Moat Mountain, Moose Mountain, and Ruggles Mine. Victor Head and Greens Ledge are two other great sites for this mineral.
Topaz
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Lord Hill | 42.741404, -72.016724 |
| Baldface Mountain | 44.230190, -71.077808 |
| Greens Ledge | 44.557310, -71.324716 |
| Redstone | 44.014194, -71.101885 |
| Moat Mountain | 44.042502, -71.214578 |
| Victor Head | 44.643788, -71.411196 |
Sparkling topaz crystals exist in various areas of New Hampshire, and you can even find gem-quality stones if you know where to look. There are numerous areas outside of quarries where you can find this mineral, and it exists in multiple counties.
Some popular places to search for topaz in New Hampshire are Lord Hill, Greens Ledge, and Victor Head. The mountains in this state are also highly likely to have this mineral, especially Moat Mountain and Baldface Mountain.
Garnet
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Ruggles Mine | 43.589576, -71.994707 |
| Deer Hill | 43.879361, -71.195221 |
| Lord Hill | 42.741593, -72.017411 |
| Melvin Hill | 43.516519, -72.002734 |
| Raymond | 43.031752, -71.190312 |
| White Mountains | 44.164102, -71.431871 |
Garnets are often discovered alongside mica and staurolite in this state, and they are typically on the smaller side.
For over a century, the mines of New Hampshire have produced abrasive garnets, but what about gem-grade stones? Gem-quality garnets are rare in New Hampshire, but rockhounds have collected them from certain locations.
Visit Ruggles Mine, Deer Hill, or the White Mountains to find garnets in the Granite State. Melvin Hill and Lord Hill also have quality garnets for rockhounds to collect.
TIP: New Hampshire’s beautiful surroundings are just as unique as the gold mining that can be done there. Check out the complete guide in the article below:
Gold Prospecting in New Hampshire: 7 Best Locations & Laws
FAQ About Common Rocks & Minerals in New Hampshire
Learn more about New Hampshire and its rocks, minerals, and gems with the following FAQs:
What Rare Rocks Can You Find in New Hampshire
The majority of the rocks in New Hampshire are igneous and metamorphic, but when it comes to rare rocks, this state only has a few. Agate, jasper, and geode are the three most popular rare rocks that you can collect from New Hampshire.
The geodes from this state typically contain quartz, amethyst, or mica, and they come in all sizes. Additionally, rockhounds can pick up some quality banded agates and red jaspers from various areas in the Granite State.
The White Mountains, Grafton, and Ruggles Mine are three of the best places to find rare rocks and minerals in New Hampshire. The rivers and streams of this state, such as the Salmon Falls River or Connecticut River, are also great rockhounding locations for rare rocks.
What Rare Minerals Can You Find in New Hampshire
The Granite State possesses a diverse range of rare minerals, and rockhounds can find garnets, topaz, amethyst, fluorite, beryl, staurolite, smoky quartz, tourmaline, apatite, amazonite, gold, aquamarine, lazulite, rhodonite, diamond, and sillimanite.
From this list, the highest-quality minerals that you’ll notice in this state are amethysts, tourmalines, fluorites, staruolites, and beryls.
If you prefer to collect precious minerals rather than gems, you’ll be happy to know that there are many areas where rockhounds pan for gold in New Hampshire. Gold dust and flakes are most common, and even though nuggets are rare, they do exist in the Granite State.
If you’re on the hunt for gold, pan near the Ammonoosuc River, the Connecticut River, Indian Stream, and Perry Stream. Anyone who is searching for gems and other precious minerals can visit Ruggles Mine, the White Mountains, Greens Ledge, and Grafton.
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 is the Most Famous Rock or Mineral Found in New Hampshire
While it’s true that New Hampshire is called the Granite State, the most famous stone found in this state is actually smoky quartz. The main reason why smoky quartz is so popular in New Hampshire is due to its abundance throughout the state.
Additionally, rockhounds bring home many praiseworthy, high-quality smoky quartz crystals from Ruggles Mine, Grafton, and other areas in the state. So, if you are looking for sparkling pieces of smoky quartz to add to your collection, New Hampshire is a great place to be!
As mentioned, Ruggles Mine and Grafton are known for their smoky quartz specimens. If you aren’t in the area, you can also visit Victor Head, Greens Ledge, Moat Mountain, or Moose Mountain. Scroll up to the smoky quartz section for more locations and information on where to look in this state.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, New Hampshire is a state that’s worth visiting for rockhounds. With slabs of high-quality granite, mines full of sparkling smoky quartz or amethyst, and rivers that carry garnets and gold, this state has more than enough stones for beginners and experienced rockhounds.
When you’re in the area, be sure to keep an eye out for the beautiful rocks and minerals of New Hampshire; you’ll find plenty of granite and so much more!
TIP: The entire bedrock in New Hampshire is mainly made up of igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks. It is known as the Granite State. Find out more about rockhounding in New Hampshire below:
GUIDE: Best Rockhounding in New Hampshire & What Rocks Find