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While New Jersey might not be as large as other states, it has more than enough rocks and minerals to be considered one of the best places in the U.S. for rockhounding. Whether you want to collect rocks, minerals, or gems, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Garden State in this article.
In the Garden State, the most common rocks and minerals are:
- marble,
- agate,
- serpentine,
- jasper,
- geode,
- obsidian,
- amethyst,
- opal,
- datolite,
- prehnite,
- quartz,
- amber,
- carnelian,
- and garnet.
There’s so many rocks and minerals in New Jersey that it might make your head spin if you try to find them all at once. In this guide, we’ll provide you with all the rockhounding information, locations, and guidance you need to find what you’re searching for and more in the Garden State.
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 Jersey
As you explore the Garden State, keep an eye out for these common rocks:
Marble
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Turkey Mountain | 40.948597, -74.373018 |
| Montville | 40.947255, -74.348302 |
| Lake Valhalla | 40.931599, -74.371979 |
| Marble Mountain (near Royal Green Marble Quarry) | 40.730638, -75.161224 |
| Warren County | 40.816646, -74.970261 |
| Franklin Quarry (surrounding areas) | 41.094418, -74.607838 |
In the Garden State, the two most famous types of marble are Franklin Marble and Cockeysville Marble. Franklin Marble is prized for its crystalline structure and white, gray, and pink color.
Because of its stunning appearance, it’s a popular choice for buildings and monuments. Cockeysville Marble has hues of white, beige, and gray, and it’s been a favorite for monuments and architectural structures throughout history.
Turkey Mountain, Marble Mountain, and Lake Valhalla have some excellent marble pieces for rockhounds. The areas near the Franklin Quarry and the Royal Green Marble Quarry are also great locations for this rock.
Agate
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| The Palisades | 40.949790, -73.920414 |
| Bergen County | 40.974947, -73.918375 |
| Pompton Lakes | 41.001720, -74.282451 |
| Snake Hill | 40.757961, -74.089803 |
| Union County | 40.654206, -74.178014 |
| Burlington County | 40.005876, -75.007980 |
| Camden County | 39.955553, -75.092639 |
The Garden State is an excellent place to collect high-quality banded agates. Some fortunate rockhounds also find moss agates in this state, but they are rarer and more difficult to find than banded agates.
There are agates all over New Jersey, and they are especially abundant in the Palisades, Bergen County, Pompton Lakes, and Snake Hill.
Serpentine
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Lake Valhalla | 40.933025, -74.376528 |
| Montville | 40.909913, -74.379267 |
| Turkey Mountain | 40.948727, -74.372546 |
| Somerville | 40.571993, -74.607786 |
| Phillipsburg | 40.677866, -75.176058 |
| Ringwood | 41.097444, -74.284554 |
If you want to collect gem-quality serpentine rocks in New Jersey, you’re in luck! There are multiple areas spread across the state where this rock is plentiful.
Lake Valhalla, Turkey Mountain, and other areas near Montville are great locations for collecting New Jersey serpentine.
Jasper
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Passaic County | 41.067328, -74.307813 |
| Camden County | 39.955553, -75.092639 |
| Burlington County | 40.005876, -75.007980 |
| Warren County | 40.848857, -74.986740 |
| Washington Crossing State Park | 40.304980, -74.857217 |
| Belle Mead | 40.464889, -74.670784 |
While red is the most common color of New Jersey jasper, rockhounds also find black jasper on occasion. When you search for jaspers, keep an eye out for agates since the two are typically discovered together in the Garden State.
Check out Passaic County, Camden County, and Burlington County to bring home New Jersey jasper. If you’re searching for black jaspers specifically, then Washington Crossing State Park should be your first stop.
TIP: To identify real jasper, watch through it in the sun or kit with a flashlight. Real jasper is opaque and doesn’t transmit light. Find out more below:
Identifying Real Jasper Mineral (Step-by-Step Guide)
Geode
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Bergen County | 40.961293, -73.929434 |
| Bernardsville | 40.715022, -74.571862 |
| Bergen Hill | 40.716845, -74.067051 |
| Ringwood | 41.080619, -74.290536 |
| Kearny | 40.754643, -74.146183 |
| Englewood | 40.879403, -73.959962 |
You never know for certain what you’ll find when you crack open a geode, but in New Jersey, the most common geodes are filled with quartz or amethyst. Look in the basalt and diabase outcrops near the locations above to collect New Jersey geodes.
Bergen County and the surrounding areas are known to contain geodes, especially areas near the Hudson River.
Obsidian
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Green Pond Mountain | 40.966750, -74.543749 |
| Essex County | 40.761913, -74.316526 |
| Morris County | 40.799684, -74.493146 |
| Passaic County | 41.083892, -74.298200 |
| Musconetcong Mountain | 40.657912, -75.009830 |
| Wawayanda State Park | 41.197378, -74.396865 |
As you explore the waterways and riverbeds of New Jersey, look out for obsidian! You can also find obsidian in a few of New Jersey’s mountains, such as Green Pond Mountain.
Search near Green Pond Mountain, Essex County, and Morris County for high-quality obsidian in the Garden State.
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.
What Minerals Are Found in New Jersey
There’s a whole world of minerals hidden in New Jersey, and some of the most common ones include:
Amethyst
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Bergen County | 40.974947, -73.918375 |
| The Palisades | 40.949790, -73.920414 |
| Passaic County | 41.067328, -74.307813 |
| Snake Hill | 40.757961, -74.089803 |
| Pompton Lakes | 41.000165, -74.279704 |
| Hoboken | 40.743538, -74.024917 |
This purple mineral is a favorite for many rockhounds, and New Jersey possesses both crystal and geode forms of this stone. Additionally, it’s plentiful throughout the state, so rockhounds often return home with quality specimens.
Without a doubt, Bergen County is the number one spot in New Jersey for amethyst. If you aren’t in the area, check out Passaic County or Pompton Lakes instead.
Opal
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Bergen County | 40.974947, -73.918375 |
| Snake Hill | 40.757961, -74.089803 |
| Hoboken | 40.743538, -74.024917 |
| The Palisades | 40.949790, -73.920414 |
| Pompton Lakes | 41.000165, -74.279704 |
| Prospect Park Quarry | 40.940519, -74.175327 |
While the majority of the opals from New Jersey are common opals, there are reports of fire opals in this state. Precious opals, such as fire opals, are gem-quality and highly sought-after by rockhounds in New Jersey.
Bergen County is a fan-favorite rockhounding area, but you can also check out Snake Hill and Prospect Park Quarry for common and fire opals.
TIP: Opal and opalite are fundamentally different substances with almost identical appearances. Check out the differences in the article below:
Opal vs. Opalite: 6 Crucial Differences (Are They Same?)
Datolite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Passaic County | 41.067328, -74.307813 |
| Bergen County | 40.974947, -73.918375 |
| Somerville | 40.558887, -74.611391 |
| Union County | 40.609912, -74.214406 |
| Pompton Lakes | 41.000165, -74.279704 |
| Snake Hill | 40.757961, -74.089803 |
The datolite that rockhounds discover in New Jersey is usually large and crystalline, possessing a clear or light green color. Also, datolite from New Jersey is typically found with other gems and minerals, so be sure to look around once you collect this mineral.
Some places to look for datolite in New Jersey include Passaic County, Bergen County, and Union County.
Prehnite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Watchung Mountains | 40.579610, -74.567720 |
| Somerville | 40.562409, -74.617829 |
| Morris County | 40.830453, -74.556300 |
| Pompton Lakes | 41.000165, -74.279704 |
| Bound Brook | 40.566959, -74.542062 |
| Kingston | 40.396719, -74.608221 |
There’s a special type of prehnite that exists in New Jersey called Franklin Prehnite. This type of prehnite acquired its namesake from the Franklin mining district, and this mineral is known for its bright green color and gorgeous structure.
Any area in the Franklin Township is highly likely to contain prehnite. The Watchung Mountains, Pompton Lakes, and Kingston are some of the best places to look.
Quartz
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Bergen County | 40.974947, -73.918375 |
| Passaic County | 41.067328, -74.307813 |
| Warren County | 40.851973, -74.979874 |
| Pompton Lakes | 40.999259, -74.278846 |
| Manasquan | 40.116091, -74.032546 |
| Ocean County | 39.843025, -74.171640 |
Since clear quartz is one of the most common minerals in the U.S., it’s no surprise that rockhounds uncover plenty of it in the Garden State.
In addition to clear quartz, rockhounds also acquire amethyst and even citrine from this state. Natural citrine that’s not heat-treated is quite rare, but fortunately, rockhounds can find it in various areas of New Jersey.
One particularly fascinating type of quartz that washes up on the beaches of New Jersey is called the Cape May Diamond.
These quartz specimens are translucent, and because they are polished by the sand and water, they closely resemble diamonds. Since these stones are typically discovered near Cape May Point, New Jersey, they were given the nickname of Cape May Diamonds.
If you want to collect clear quartz and amethyst crystals, Passaic County or Bergen County are the places to go. For natural citrine, Warren County is your best bet. To collect Cape May Diamonds, head over to the beaches in Ocean County.
Amber
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Sayreville | 40.474676, -74.268904 |
| Middlesex County | 40.411661, -74.391173 |
| Crosswicks Creek | 40.138891, -74.619377 |
| Burlington County | 39.995356, -74.947555 |
| Camden County | 39.820738, -75.016370 |
| Mullica Hill | 39.736623, -75.225895 |
While it’s technically not a mineral, amber is a collectible gemstone, and there’s vast amounts of it in New Jersey. Amber from this state comes in all sizes, and some rockhounds even find specimens with small insects or plants inside.
Although amber can be found all over New Jersey, it’s particularly abundant in the southern regions. There are some great places to find amber in Middlesex County and Burlington County, as well as Sayreville.
TIP: If you’re uncertain about the worth of a piece of amber jewelry or a raw amber stone you’re not alone in facing this challenge. Find out the answer in the article below:
How Much is Amber Worth? Costs per Carat and More!
Carnelian
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Passaic County | 41.083892, -74.292706 |
| Stirling | 40.669634, -74.500969 |
| Bergen County | 40.974947, -74.099649 |
| Hudson River | 40.948955, -73.918267 |
| Oradell Reservoir | 40.957651, -74.021461 |
| Lake Tappan | 41.024229, -73.985398 |
With its rich, fiery colors, it’s no wonder that carnelian is a popular find in New Jersey, especially since the pieces from this state are high-quality. The stones from this state appear in a stunning shade of orange, and the coloring is typically solid throughout the specimens.
Passaic County and Bergen County are two of the best spots for carnelian hunting in New Jersey.
Garnet
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Mine Hill | 40.876479, -74.597958 |
| Nolands Point | 40.947810, -74.614352 |
| Lake Hopatcong | 40.945122, -74.641342 |
| Sparta | 41.029441, -74.629385 |
| Ringwood | 41.092269, -74.264298 |
| Hudson River | 40.948955, -73.918267 |
Rockhounds come across garnets all the time in New Jersey, especially near the streams and waterways of the state. These red stones can be confused with corundum, better known as ruby, which is also present in the Garden State.
Mine Hill, Nolands Point, and Lake Hopatcong are excellent locations for New Jersey garnets. For rubies, Sparta and its mining areas should be your first stop.
FAQ About Common Rocks & Minerals in New Jersey
Let’s explore the rare rocks and minerals of New Jersey in the following sections:
What Rare Rocks Can You Find in New Jersey
The Garden State is overflowing with rare rocks, such as obsidian, serpentine, agate, soapstone, petrified wood, fossils, geode, and jasper.
Depending on where you search in New Jersey, you will be able to collect high-quality banded and moss agates for your collection. Serpentine and obsidian are also popular finds in this state, especially since many serpentine pieces are gem-quality.
These rare rocks are spread throughout the Garden State, but there are a few areas where you can find more than one, such as Turkey Mountain, the Palisades, Burlington County, and Bergen County.
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 New Jersey
You won’t be disappointed during your search for rare minerals in New Jersey, and some popular ones you might come across are rubies, Cape May Diamonds, garnets, carnelians, natural citrines, amethysts, datolites, prehnites, gold, silver, opals, galenas, malachites, apatites, sunstones, and pearls.
From this list, the rarest New Jersey minerals are rubies, natural citrines, sunstones, and Cape May Diamonds. The Cape May Diamonds are unique minerals that are only found in specific U.S. states, such as New Jersey, and they are popular due to their resemblance to diamonds.
In the Garden State, the best locations to find rare minerals are Passaic County, Bergen County, and the Pompton Lakes. If you’re on the hunt for a specific mineral, take a look at the locations above for more options.
What is the Most Famous Rock or Mineral Found in New Jersey
Surprisingly, the most famous stone found in New Jersey isn’t a rock or mineral at all, but it is considered a gemstone.
The Garden State is famous for its wealth of high-quality amber, especially in the southern regions. Rockhounds collect amber specimens of all sizes from this state, and some even have small insects or plants inside.
When you search for New Jersey amber, look near Salem County, Oldman’s Creek, Sayreville, and the other locations listed in the amber portion of this post. Creeks and parks are typically the best places to pick up amber in the Garden State.
Conclusion
Even though New Jersey is the 5th-smallest U.S. state, it packs more than enough rocks and minerals within its state lines to make it a worthwhile trip for any rockhound.
If you’re interested in collecting amber, rubies, amethysts, natural citrines, agates, or jaspers, book a trip to New Jersey. You never know exactly what you’ll find in the Garden State, but you can be sure that you’ll return home with some gorgeous stones for your collection.
TIP: New Jersey is known for its remarkable range of rocks and minerals, making it one of the greatest rockhounding destinations in the United States. Check out the complete rockhounding guide below:
GUIDE: Best Rockhounding in New Jersey & What Rocks Find