Minnesota is an absolute treasure for geologists and rockhounds. But finding quartz here can be a bit of a challenge because it’s not as common as in other states. You have to be knowledgeable about the guaranteed sites where you can uncover them.
But if you’re up for the challenge, finding quartz in Minnesota is not impossible. After all, it’s so rewarding to have a piece of this gem. If you’re wondering where to start your quest for Minnesota quartz, our guide will walk you through them.
A few of our favorite places to explore here are the Vermillion Range, Mississippi River, Ely, Lanesboro, and Paradise Beach. These places not only have quartz deposits but also provide a glimpse into our state’s rich geological history.
The journey to find quartz in Minnesota is more than just a hunt— it’s also a chance to connect with nature. Our article will help you get ready for it!
What Is Minnesota Quartz Anyway?
Quartz is made up of silicon and oxygen, two of the most common elements in Earth’s crust. This makes it one of the most common minerals on our planet!
Although it comes in different colors, like clear, pink, or even black, identifying quartz is not too hard. It has a glassy look, and if you find a clear piece, it’s like looking through glass. It can scratch glass too, because it’s pretty hard.
Its many uses have influenced the value of quartz. It’s used in making jewelry and beautiful decorations. People love how it looks, especially when it’s cut and polished. But there’s more to quartz than just being pretty.
It’s also really important in technology. It’s used in watches, radios, and computers because it can make electricity when you squeeze it— this is called piezoelectricity. It’s also used in glass-making and in building materials, too.
Since it’s common, you can find quartz almost everywhere around the world. It’s usually found in rocks like granite and sandstone. Rivers, beaches, and deserts can have lots of quartz, too.
The Types Of Quartz Found In Minnesota
Below are the different types of quartz you have a chance of uncovering when you visit here:
- Clear quartz
- Rose quartz
- Smoky quartz
There are also several different kinds of crystals in Minnesota and if you’re interested in finding them, too, you can check out the guide we created on that.
- 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 rock 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 Quartz In Minnesota
Luckily, many gem mine sites in Minnesota have different rocks and minerals. But below are our favorite places to explore for some awesome quartz finds. We hope you’ll have the best time exploring them, too!
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
Vermilion Range
The Vermilion Range, located in northeastern Minnesota, is known for its rich mining history and stunning landscapes. Here, you’ll find yourself surrounded by beautiful forests, hills, and lakes— a perfect setting for an adventure.
This area is not just flat. It has a mix of dense forests, open spaces, and lots of lakes and rivers. Its terrain is a blend of rugged wilderness and tranquil landscapes, with trails that meander through some gorgeous areas.
Geologically, the Vermilion Range is part of the Canadian Shield, which means it’s made of some of the oldest rocks, dating back billions of years! It’s known for its layers of rock and minerals. In this range, you can find quartz in various forms.
This place is near the town of Tower, about a three-hour drive north of Duluth. If you want to go here, you’ll have a scenic driver, taking you through some of our lovely countryside.
Just remember to review Minnesota’s local collecting guidelines and comply with them as you explore here and on the other sites that we’ll share with you.
Where we found quartz in the Vermilion Range
To find quartz, you can search through the regional creeks, washes, and breaks in the Vermilion Range.
The tools every crystal hunter will need
When you're out looking for crystals 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 crystal miners which we outline in great detail in our complete rockhounding supplies 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 crystal-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.
Mississippi River
The mighty Mississippi River starts as a small stream flowing out of Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota and winds its way through our state. As it travels, it passes through diverse landscapes, making it a great place to explore and hunt for rocks.
Geographically, this river is varied. In the north, it flows through thick forests and clear lakes. As it moves south, it passes through open farmland, bluffs, and urban areas like the Twin Cities. This means you get a mix of different terrains to explore.
The area around the river is often filled with greenery, and the bluffs along it are particularly beautiful. As it cuts through the landscape over millions of years, it has exposed a variety of rocks and minerals, including quartz.
Since the Mississippi River runs through many towns and cities, you can pick a spot that interests you and head there. If you start in the Twin Cities, you can follow the river by driving along the Great River Road.
Where we found quartz in the Mississippi River
You can find quartz if you explore the Mississippi River bluffs in the Red Wing area.
Ely
Nestled in the northeastern part of our state, Ely is known for its stunning wilderness. It’s close to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and is a paradise for anyone who loves the outdoors and rocks.
This area is surrounded by forests, lakes, and rugged terrain. It’s dotted with crystal-clear lakes and thick forests. The terrain around Ely is varied: you have gentle areas near the lakes and more challenging rocky areas, which are perfect for exploring.
Ely is part of the Canadian Shield, an area rich in different types of rocks and minerals, including quartz.
If you’re interested, going here is an adventure in itself. It’s about a four-hour drive north of Minneapolis. This journey takes you through some beautiful parts of Minnesota, with forests, lakes, and small towns along the way.
Where we found quartz in Ely
We highly recommend searching for quartz in the area mine dumps of Ely, where they have been typically found.
Lanesboro
Lanesboro is a charming small town nestled in southeastern Minnesota. It’s known for its scenic beauty and outdoor activities.
It sits in the Root River Valley, surrounded by rolling hills and lush green landscapes. Its terrain is a mix of gentle river valleys and steeper bluffs, which are not only beautiful to look at but also great for exploring.
Lanesboro is part of the Driftless Area, a region that was untouched by the last ice age glaciers. Because of this, its landscape has unique features like limestone bluffs and deep river valleys. This means there are lots of opportunities to find quartz.
It’s about a two-hour drive southeast of Minneapolis if you’re interested in paying a visit. The drive is scenic, taking you through the beautiful countryside of southeastern Minnesota.
Where we found quartz in Lanesboro
Quartz in this area can be found in the limestone and along the riverbanks. You can also find quartz in a road cut northeast on SR 16 in Lanesboro.
Paradise Beach
Paradise Beach is located along the North Shore of Lake Superior, near Grand Portage. This spot is famous for its stunning views of the lake and its pebbly beach.
Lake Superior is nestled right here, and Paradise Beach offers a beautiful view of its clear, blue waters. It’s mostly pebbles and rocks, not sand, and the terrain around it is a mix of rocky shores and forested areas.
The beach area is rich in a variety of rocks and minerals, thanks to Lake Superior and the ancient geological forces that shaped this region. Quartz, in particular, can be found here.
This place is about a 5-hour drive north of Duluth. You can take Highway 61, which offers stunning views of Lake Superior and the surrounding landscapes.
Where we found quartz in Paradise Beach
Walking along the shoreline of Paradise Beach is the best way you can find Minnesota quartz here. You might find it in different colors mixed in with other rocks on the beach.
Other Great Places To Find Minnesota Quartz
Besides our top recommendations, there are many other great places to find quartz in Minnesota. We’ve listed them by county for your quick reference:
Our recommendations by county
| County | Location |
| Carlton | Arrowhead mine |
| Carlton | Alsted Mine |
| Chisago | Taylors Falls |
| Cook | McFarland Lake prospect |
| Cook | Cross River |
| Cook | Spalding Mine |
| Cook | Bluefin Bay |
| Crow Wing | Cuyuna North Range |
| Crow Wing | Rabbit Lake Mine |
| Crow Wing | Hillcrest Mine |
| Crow Wing | Sagamore Mine |
| Crow Wing | Arko Mine |
| Crow Wing | Milford Mine |
| Houston | Beneke Quarryr |
| Itasca | Hill Annex Mine |
| Itasca | Lind-Greenway Mine |
| Koochiching | Bushyhead Island prospect |
| Koochiching | Grassy Island prospect |
| Lake | Sonju Lake intrusion |
| Lake | Gooseberry Falls State Park |
| Lake/td> | Winston area mine dumps |
| Lake | Silver Bay |
| Lake | Agate Bay |
| Morrison | Blanchard dam |
| Pine | Kettle River |
| Renville | Cold Spring Granite Quarry |
| St. Louis | Brighton Beach |
| St. Louis | Steamboat Islet prospect |
| St. Louis | Knife River |
| St. Louis | North American Mine |
| St. Louis | Zenith Mine |
Common Quartz-Hunting Questions
To further guide you through your quartz-hunting plans, we’ll answer one of the most common questions when it comes to it:
Is it illegal to collect quartz in Minnesota?
Collecting quartz is generally legal in Minnesota, but it’s important to be aware of specific rules and locations where collecting might be restricted.
If you’re on private property, you must have the permission of the landowner to collect rocks. On federal lands, meanwhile, like national forests, collecting small amounts of rocks and minerals for personal use is often allowed.
On state lands, such as state parks and scientific and natural areas, rock collecting is usually prohibited to protect natural resources.
However, on public lands managed by counties or cities, the rules can vary, so it’s always best to check local regulations. Visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website for more details.
The Best Places To Buy Quartz In Minnesota
If you prefer to purchase quartz pieces, you may visit our trusted local rock and mineral shops. A few of them are:
- Crystal Rock Healing – 9801 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
- Crystal Zones – 1595 MN-36 #662, Roseville, MN 55113
- Divine Time – 7546 149th St W, Apple Valley, MN 55124
- Seashellsbyshelly Rock and Crystal Shop – 2625 County Rd 37 NE, Monticello, MN 55362
- The Enchanted Rock Garden – 1228 E 66th St, Richfield, MN 55423
