Rock Collecting
The unique geology of the Black Hills and Badlands offers great collecting for rock hounds and professional scientists. The nation's oldest mountain range, the Black Hills provides a nearly complete stratigraphic history.
The Black Hills are among the top five localities in the United States for variety of minerals. In addition to the state's official mineral, rose quartz, more than 40 other minerals are found here, including copper, silver, lead, tin, feldspar, spodumene, beryl, mica, quartz and, of course, gold.
Well known is the nation's largest gold mine, the Homestake gold mine in Lead. Record sizes of crystals have been recorded here, such as the 90 ton spodumene crystal near Keystone.
There is more rose quartz found in Black Hills mines than any other area in the world. So popular is this attractive pink gem mineral, that it has been named the official mineral of the State of South Dakota.
There are also vast deposits of iron, alabaster, gypsum and limestone in the Black Hills. The alabaster and gypsum are found in the red clays surrounding the Hills. The principle limestone canyons are in the western part of the Black Hills near the Wyoming border. In these scenic canyons are deposits of vivid agate, with the multi-colored Tepee Canyon agate being most popular.
The widespread national grasslands of western South Dakota offer the visiting rockhound many thousands of acres of interesting collecting for a wide spectrum of colorful gem materials. Most sought after is the brightly patterned Fairburn agate, the official State Gem, an elusive and distinctive fortification agate. Associated with the Fairburns, in the same alluvial deposits, are bright prairie agates, funny eye agates, rich jasper, red carnelian, picturesque moss agate, blue chalcedony, puddingstone conglomerate, and quantities of rainbow-hued petrified wood. The rock beds are scattered in eroded areas near Kadoka, Interior, Scenic, and Fairburn.
Mineral collections are found at the Museum of Geology in Rapid City, and at the Pioneer Auto Museum in Murdo. Advice for amateur rock collectors is available at more than 20 rock shops in the area, and from local gem and mineral societies.
Other Links to Consider:
Museum of Geology
Winter Fun
Special Events
Gaming
Parks & Monuments
