The state of Wyoming is known for its rough scenery and abundance of natural resources. But there is a beautiful secret hidden below the ground: diamonds! The Earth’s mantle is where these precious stones are made.
Volcanic activity pushes them to the surface, making some parts of Wyoming an unexpected diamond treasure trove. Wyoming’s diamond deposits are spread out and often hidden, giving people who look for them a sense of mystery and excitement.
We will show you where diamonds have been found, give you help on how to recognize these valuable stones, and demonstrate the usefulness of the tools you’ll require.
This article will help you understand and explore Wyoming’s diamond-rich potential, whether you’re a curious explorer, a future geologist, or someone who wants to find their diamond. Join us, and let’s start this exciting journey together!
What Is Wyoming Diamond Anyway?
Diamonds are known for being strong and beautiful, and they are also one of the hardest natural things on Earth. They are made up of only carbon, which is the same element that makes up graphite.
But the way these carbon atoms are grouped is what makes diamonds unique. Deep in the Earth’s core, where it’s very hot and pressurized, these carbon atoms join together in a special way to make a crystal lattice that makes diamonds so hard. It’s like a team of atoms holding hands so tightly that they’re almost impossible to break.
There are a lot of diamonds in places where these volcanic events happened. Large diamond mines have been set up in these areas to get these valuable stones. The location where you found specimens can also affect how much a diamond is worth.
Rivers can also transport diamonds to locations further away from where they formed in volcanoes. Here’s our guide to identifying diamonds to make your search easier.
- The deep experience and understanding of our team about the area
- Recommendations from local groups and clubs
- How easy it is to get the a particular location
- Safety and potential hazards when collecting
- Weighing private and public locations
- The ability for both experienced and novice geode enthusiasts to find great samples
With these factors in mind we’ve been able to put together a fantastic list that just about anyone can use!
The Best Places To Find Diamond in Wyoming
We should talk about the best places in the state to find diamonds. They have a lot of great places to mine for gems in Wyoming, but only a few are good for finding diamonds. Certain places aren’t well known, but it’s usually not hard to find them.
Always Confirm Access and Collection Rules!
Before heading out to any of the locations on our list you need to confirm access requirements and collection rules for both public and private locations directly with the location. We haven’t personally verified every location and the access requirements and collection rules often change without notice.
Many of the locations we mention will not allow collecting but are still great places for those who love to find beautiful rocks and minerals in the wild without keeping them. We also can’t guarantee you will find anything in these locations since they are constantly changing.
Always get updated information directly from the source ahead of time to ensure responsible rockhounding. If you want even more current options it’s always a good idea to contact local rock and mineral clubs and groups
Boden Placer Deposit
People who want to look for diamonds will enjoy the Boden Placer Deposit in Wyoming. This area has a history of surprising geologists and treasure hunters with its secret gems.
It’s in the middle of Wyoming’s mineral-rich landscape. The Boden Placer Deposit is unique because of its unique geological past. Millions of years ago, volcanic action deep below the Earth’s surface made it possible for diamonds to form.
It was during these eruptions that diamonds were brought closer to the surface, where they finally settled in the Boden area.
There is a mix of gravel, sand, and other things in the Boden Placer Deposit, which is often a good sign that diamonds are close. If people are lucky and patient, this place is like a natural treasure chest where they can dig through the dirt and maybe find a gem hidden among the rocks.
Where we found diamond at the Boden Placer Deposit
Placer deposits are places where valuable rocks or gems have been pushed to the surface by natural forces, like moving water. As with other gemstones, diamonds can sometimes be found in placer deposits in places where they are known to be found.
The tools every geode hunter will need
When you're out looking for geodes having the right tools for the job is very important. You don't need a lot for most trips but there are a handful that are critical and will make your life a lot easier.
We get asked a lot about the equipment we use. Over the years we've found a handful of tools that we recommend to both new and experienced geode hunters which we outline in great detail in our complete rockhounding tools and kit guide. These are quality options that also happen to be relatively inexpensive.
Below are the basic tools that make your life so much easier and save you a ton of time. Check out the full guide to see everything we recommend bringing. One quick note, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but we try very hard to only recommend gear we would use ourselves and often recommend brands you can't find on Amazon.
At a minimum you should have:
1 - Sturdy rock hammer: The Estwing Rock Pick is our standard
2 - Rugged chisels: Try Kendo' 3-piece Chisel Set
3 - Compact shovel: The Koleiya 28-inch shovel works well
4 - Rock screen pan: The Wazakura Soil Sieve Set fits the bill
5 - Eye protection: DeWalt Safety Glasses are cheap and comfortable
6 - Head protection: Malta's Safety Helmet has been our go-to
7 - Jewelers lens with at least 20x magnification: Jarlink's Jewelers Loop is perfect
The geode-finding books that we use most
There are also a few books that have been extremely helpful in the search for gems. These books have great recommendations and tips:
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals: North America
Northwest Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guide
Earth Treasures: The Northwestern Quadrant
We provide links to find these tools on Amazon but some can also be found at your local hardware stores. For more recommendations check out the link to our full tool guide above.
Cedar Mountain
Diamond hunters will find Cedar Mountain in Wyoming to be an interesting place to visit. Even though Cedar Mountain is in an area known for its variety of geological features, it stands out because of its own past and make-up.
Millions of years ago, volcanic action below the surface of the Earth made it possible for diamonds to form. When these old volcanoes exploded, they brought valuable diamonds closer to the surface.
Over time, weathering and water flow have moved these diamonds around. Some of them have ended up near Cedar Mountain.
Where we found diamond in Cedar Mountain
The kimberlite pipes in Cedar Mountain make it a good place for people looking for diamonds. A certain type of rock called kimberlite often brings diamonds from deep inside the Earth to places where people can find them.
Iron Mountain
Another beautiful place to look for diamonds is Iron Mountain in Wyoming. Because this area is known for having a lot of different minerals and rocks, it could also be a place where diamonds are kept.
Iron Mountain got its name from the large amount of iron ore. However, diamond hunters are more interested in the mountain’s natural history. Some diamonds ended up in places like Iron Mountain.
Explorers and rock fans will love Iron Mountain because it’s a beautiful place to be outside, and there is a chance that they might find a diamond in the rocks there.
Where we found diamond in Iron Mountain
It’s possible to find them in places with volcanic rock formations, especially kimberlite or lamproite pipes, which are known to bring diamonds from deep inside the Earth to the surface.
Also, river or stream beds close to these types of formations could be possible places because of the way that erosion moves materials naturally.
Common Diamond-Hunting Questions
If someone wants to know where to find diamonds in Wyoming, they often ask the following:
Is it illegal to collect diamonds in Wyoming?
Whether or not it’s possible to collect diamonds or any other minerals depends on who owns the land and the rules that apply in that area.
Before collecting gems or any other minerals in Wyoming, you should learn a lot about the area, find out who owns the land, and follow all the laws and rules that apply.
In case you’re not sure, asking the local government or land management agencies can help you understand and make sure that your collecting is acceptable.
The Best Places To Buy Diamond in Wyoming
When you hold a diamond, you’ll always feel good. Some people don’t like to work hard and get dirty, though. This list is for you if you don’t want to do that to find diamonds.
Here are some of our favorite places to buy and find diamonds in the area:
- CR Diamonds & Gems – 1103 E Boxelder Rd C, Gillette, WY 82718, United States
- Legacy Diamond & Gems – 11 N Main St, Sheridan, WY 82801, United States
- The Golden Buffalo – 407 E Main St, Riverton, WY 82501, United States
- On The Rocks – 121 N Main St, Sheridan, WY 82801, United States
- Rasmussen Jewelers – 205 S 2nd St, Laramie, WY 82070, United States
