Try Your Luck in These 5 Gem Hunting Locations in the United States

Do you want to live the American dream? Others fulfill this promise by digging and scraping some dirt beneath the surface of the earth. Everything from diamonds to emeralds are scattered all over the dozens of public mines and digging sites in the United States, according to the Smithsonian. You just have to figure out how to locate the perfect spot.

Amateur Geology, also known as rockhounding, is the recreational study and hobby of collecting gems and minerals. Mining started in the United States from the Pueblo, a Southwestern tribe who embarked on turquoise digging about 2,600 years ago, the site published.

Smithsonian gathered five best places to hunt for gems. Take a look at the list:

Emerald Hollow Mine (Hiddenite, North Carolina)

Emerald Hollow Mine, which is hidden in the Brushy Mountains of North Carolina, is the only emerald reserve in the United States that is open to the public. Hiddenite, a rare gemstone discovered in 1879, has a lime-green hue that can only be found in this area, according to the site. People can also come and dig up various gemstones in this seven-acre site.

Crater of Diamonds State Park (Murfreesboro, Arkansas)

This state park is located 115 miles southwest of Little Rock and a buried ground of diamonds. In June 2015, a fortunate visitor discovered a 8.52 carat diamond, which is the fifth largest specimen found in the park since it opened.

Jade Cove Trail (Big Sur, California)

It is considered a popular spot for jade hunters where a spectacular ocean view can also be seen.

Strict guidelines are implemented for jade hunting because the trail is part of a marine sanctuary.

Morefield Mine (Amelia County, Virginia)

Morefield Mine was formerly used by military suppliers for researches about minerals that can be used in tanks and artillery. However, it is now widely known for people hunting amazonite and visitors can fill up five-gallon buckets and bring everything home.

Graves Mountain (Lincolnton, Georgia)

A few times a year, people are invited to look for the treasure such as rutile, quartz, hematite and lazulite, among others. On October 7 until 9, rockhounds can come and bring their digging tools to search for the said gemstones.