New Jersey might not be the first place you think of when you’re dreaming about hunting for shiny, beautiful quartz, but you’ll be surprised! Our state is like a hidden treasure chest for rock enthusiasts on the lookout for this gem.
From the northern highlands to the sandy shores of the south, our unique geology offers a variety of New Jersey quartz that can make any rockhound’s heart beat faster.
Thinking about where to mine for quartz in New Jersey? We’ll share some of our faves: Cape May beaches, The Palisades, Prospect Quarry Hill, Sterling Hill Mine, and Snake Hill. And there are so many others!
Come with us as we go through the different verified spots for your next quartz-hunting adventure in our state. Let’s get started!
What Is New Jersey Quartz Anyway?
Imagine a rock that can be all sorts of colors like clear, pink, or even black, and you’ve got quartz. It’s not just pretty to look at; it’s super strong and found all over the world, too.
When you’re out hunting for rocks, identifying quartz is like finding a treasure because it’s used in so many things. From making beautiful jewelry that sparkles in the light to running our watches and electronics, this natural wonder is everywhere!
The value of quartz lies in its versatility and its role in technology, which keeps our modern world running smoothly. It has an amazing ability to turn electricity into vibrations and vice versa. This is why it’s used in things like watches, computers, and even science equipment.
It’s commonly found in places like beaches, deserts, and mountains. If you love exploring the outdoors, chances are you’ve walked right past quartz without even knowing it.
It forms deep in the Earth’s crust and gets brought to the surface through natural processes like erosion. That means with a keen eye, you can find quartz almost anywhere, from the sands of a beach to the rocky peaks of mountains.
The Types Of Quartz Found In New Jersey
If you’re already excited about finding quartz in New Jersey, wait till you see the list of the types of quartz that you can stumble upon here:
- Cape May diamonds
- Clear quartz
- Milky quartz
- Smoky quartz
- Rutilated quartz
- Cat’s eye citrine
- Amethyst
- Quartz pseudomorphs after glauberite crystals
- Quartz geode
We also have an impressive array of crystals in New Jersey. If you’d like to know more about them, especially where to find them, check out our guide 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 New Jersey
We are lucky to have many gem mine sites in New Jersey that bear different rocks and minerals. But if you want to uncover quartz specifically, your best chance of doing so is by visiting some of these verified spots:
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
Cape May Beaches
Located at the southern tip of New Jersey, Cape May is a beach lover’s paradise with a geological twist that makes it a fantastic spot for rock hunters. It’s unique because it sits where Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean.
The beaches of Cape May are not just for sunbathing. Its sand contains tiny quartz crystals among its grains. These quartz pieces come from the ancient Appalachian Mountains, traveling over time to the sea where they end up on Cape May’s shores.
Getting here is easy, whether you’re driving or taking public transportation. If you’re coming from far away, the nearest major airport is in Philadelphia, about 2 hours away by car. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus.
Driving down the Garden State Parkway will lead you straight here. If you’ll go rockhounding, don’t forget to review New Jersey’s local collecting guidelines.
Where we found quartz in the Cape May Beaches
You can find amazing pieces of Cape May dMichelle Ellisiamonds, which are water-polished clear and opaque quartz crystals, if you explore the ocean beach sands and gravels at Cape May. You can also search for them at the Point Lookout area.
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
Northeast Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guide
Earth Treasures: The Northeastern 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.
The Palisades
The Palisades stretches along the Hudson River right across from New York City. It has impressive, towering cliffs that rise to 540 feet high. These cliffs are about 200 million years old, formed from cooled lava when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
What makes The Palisades a must-visit spot for rock hunters is its unique geology. The area’s geological history has created pockets and veins of quartz within the harder basalt.
Its terrain is rugged and steep, offering breathtaking views of the river below and a challenging adventure for those who love to explore nature. Hiking along the trails, you’ll see the sheer faces of the cliffs that have fascinated people for centuries.
If you’re coming from New York City or northern New Jersey, getting here is easy. If you’re driving, you can take the Palisades Interstate Parkway. Public transportation options include buses from New York City that stop near the park’s entrances.
Where we found quartz in The Palisades
You can find captivating quartz specimens in the cavities and talus debris at the basalt cliffs fronting the Hudson River in The Palisades.
Sterling Hill Mine
Sterling Hill Mine is located in the small town of Ogdensburg, Sussex County. This mine is not just any mine— it’s one of the oldest mining areas in the USA and has a history that dates back over 300 years!
It’s famous for its zinc and fluorescent minerals, but rock hunters can also find various forms of quartz here.
The terrain around Sterling Hill Mine is pretty rugged, with lots of hills and forests. Visiting it feels like stepping into a different world. It offers a hands-on experience that’s both educational and fun for geology lovers.
If you’re coming from New York City or northern New Jersey, you can drive to go here in just a couple of hours. The mine is located off Route 23, making it accessible by car. For those who prefer public transportation, there are also bus services.
Where we found quartz in Sterling Hill Mine
You can find quartz intertwined with other minerals in Sterling Hill Mine’s vast underground tunnels.
Snake Hill
Also known as Laurel Hill, Snake Hill is a super interesting spot. Located in Secaucus, Hudson County, it stands out because it’s like a big rock popping out of the ground amidst the flat surroundings.
It’s made of igneous rock, which means it was formed from cooled lava millions of years ago. Among its rocky terrain, you can find quartz. As you walk around Snake Hill, keep your eyes peeled for shiny crystals among the rocks.
Getting to Snake Hill is easy, especially if you’re coming from nearby cities like Newark or New York City. If you’re driving, you can take the New Jersey Turnpike to get close to Secaucus and then follow local roads to reach the hill.
There are also public transportation options, including buses and trains, that can get you to Secaucus, and from there, Snake Hill is just a short walk or bike ride away.
Where we found quartz in Snake Hill
You can find incredible pieces of quartz just off the New Jersey Turnpike east of the Hackensack River in Snake Hill.
Other Great Places To Find New Jersey Quartz
If you want more options of verified spots to find New Jersey quartz, we’ve compiled a list per county for your easier reference.
Our recommendations by county
| County | Location |
| Atlantic | Pine Barrens |
| Essex | McDowell’s Quarry |
| Essex | Hartshorn Quarry |
| Hudson | Bergen Hill |
| Hudson | Schuyler Mine |
| Hudson | Erie railroad cut |
| Hudson | Pennsylvania railroad cut |
| Hunterdon | Rocky Hill Quarry |
| Hunterdon | Area quarries of Princeton |
| Hunterdon | Bethlehem Mine |
| Hunterdon | M.C. Mulligan & Son Quarry |
| Mercer | Hopewell Barite Mine |
| Mercer | Margerum Brothers Quarry |
| Middlesex | Quigley pit |
| Monmouth | Ocean beach gravels in Long Branch |
| Monmouth | Along the ocean beaches of Manasquan |
| Monmouth | Asbury Park |
| Monmouth | Cliffwood Beach |
| Morris | Scrub Oaks Iron Mine |
| Morris | Bedrock gravels of Carnelian Brook |
| Morris | Weldon Mine |
| Morris | Lake Valhalla Quarry |
| Ocean | Entire stretch of the Atlantic Ocean beaches |
| Passaic | Great Notch Quarry |
| Passaic | Francisco Bros. Quarry |
| Passaic | Two quarries of Houdaille Industries adjoining the Great Notch railroad station |
| Passaic | Quarry immediately southwest of the Great Notch railroad station |
| Passaic | Great Notch Corp. Quarry |
| Passaic | Quarry at Pompton Lakes |
| Passaic | New Street Quarry |
| Passaic | Upper New Street Quarry |
| Passaic | Burger’s Quarry |
| Pennington | Pennington Mountain |
| Sommerset | Somerset Crushed Stone Co. Quarry |
| Sommerset | 3M Quarry |
| Sommerset | Area quarries of Bound Brook |
| Sommerset | Kingston Trap Rock Co. Quarry |
| Sommerset | Dock Watch Quarry Co. |
| Sommerset | Area pits and quarries of Pyson Station |
| Sommerset | Area quarries of Somerville |
| Sommerset | Green sand at the first creek south of Passaic River |
| Sussex | Area mines of the Franklin-Ogdensburg-Sterling Hill district |
| Sussex | Area limestone quarries in Sparta Junction |
| Union | Watchung Mountains |
| Warren | Delaware Water Gap |
Common Quartz-Hunting Questions
In this section, we’ll answer one of the most common questions when it comes to quartz hunting in our state:
Is it illegal to collect quartz in New Jersey?
Whether it’s illegal to collect quartz or any other minerals in New Jersey depends on where you’re planning to collect them.
On public lands, such as state parks or forests, collecting rocks, minerals, or fossils without permission is generally prohibited. However, there are specific sites, like certain mines or quarries that are open to the public for mineral collecting.
Private lands offer another option for collecting, but you must always get the landowner’s permission before removing any rocks or minerals.
It’s important for rockhounds to respect these regulations and seek out legal collecting opportunities. For more information, visit the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) website.
The Best Places To Buy Quartz In New Jersey
If you don’t have much time or energy to do actual quartz hunting, you can also pay a visit to our trusted local rock and mineral shops to find quartz. Below are some of them:
- Cha Cha Gifts – 1300 Livingston Ave, North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902
- Crystals of Quartz – 449 NJ-94, Vernon Township, NJ 07462
- Rock Collage – 441b Cedar Ln, Teaneck, NJ 07666
- Rocky’s Crystals & Minerals – 559 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
- The Rock Box – 4 Elm St, Morristown, NJ 07960
