West Virginia, often visited for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is also a favorite destination among geology enthusiasts.
From the ancient, coal-rich Allegheny Mountains to the rivers that carve the Appalachian Plateau, the diversity of rocks and minerals found in West Virginia is not just vast but incredibly beautiful.
Whether you’re trekking through the Monongahela National Forest, exploring the cliffs of New River Gorge, or marveling at the unique formations in Seneca Rocks, you’re never far from uncovering the various types of rocks found in West Virginia.
As you read on about our state’s common and most valuable natural treasures, you’ll appreciate the natural world in an educational and awe-inspiring way. Let’s begin!
A List of The Common Rocks, Stones, and Minerals Found in West Virginia
Our state’s landscape is a geological mosaic that interests rockhounds from different levels to explore it. If you’re one of them, you’ll be happy to know that we’ve created several guides that you can use to find natural wonders here:
West Virginia Rock, Mineral, and Gem
Before we proceed to share the common and valuable rocks in West Virginia, let’s get to know first our state’s staples, so to speak.
| West Virginia State Rock | Bituminous Coal |
| West Virginia State Gem | Silicified Mississippian Fossil Coral |
If you’re planning to visit our state to find these rocks, minerals, gems, and crystals, make sure to take time to look at West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP)’s website for more information on our collecting guidelines.
It’s important to observe these guidelines to ensure that rockhounding activities will remain sustainable not only for us but for the generations to come.
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
Travertine
Travertine looks like a sponge because it has lots of little holes in it. It’s formed when a stream of warm water trickles down a hill, carrying tiny bits of stuff dissolved in it.
When this water runs over the ground or through a cave, it leaves behind these bits, and over a long, long time, they stack up to form travertine.
You can find this rock in places where there are lots of hot springs or limestone caves. It forms in pretty layers that can be white, tan, cream, and even rusty colors.
That’s why people love to use it in buildings, decorations, and even jewelry. In fact, some of the most famous landmarks in the world, like the Colosseum in Rome, are made of travertine.
Where you can find travertine in West Virginia
If you’re interested in finding travertine here, these are some of the coolest places to explore:
- Hill north of Lost River
- Martin Marietta Company quarries
- North Fork Gap
Coal
Coal is made from plants that lived a long time ago. Its formation process is interesting. Imagine a forest that got buried under mud and dirt, and over millions of years, all that plant stuff got squished and changed into coal.
This rock is often dug up from mines, which can be big open holes in the ground or tunnels that go deep into the earth.
People have been mining it for hundreds of years because it’s super useful. We burn it to make electricity and to help make steel that’s used to build cars and buildings.
There are different kinds of coal, each with different uses. lignite, for example, is not great for burning, but anthracite, which burns well. Then there’s bituminous coal, which is West Virginia’s official state rock.
Sometimes, it can naturally catch fire underground and burn for decades without stopping. These fires can start by lightning strikes or human activities.
Where you can find coal in West Virginia
Among the specific areas where you can mine for coal in our state are:
- Island Creek Coal Company Mine
- Kay Moor No. 1 Mine
- Connellsville Coal Company No. 1 Mine
Sulfur
Sulfur is a bright yellow stuff that you might think of when you hear about fireworks or the smell of rotten eggs. It’s a non-metal element that you can find in nature.
It’s made deep underground and can also come from volcanoes when they erupt, spewing out sulfur with lava and ash.
You can find it near hot springs and volcanoes. Besides its natural spots, it’s also found in plants, animals, and even in us!
Sulfur is important for making fertilizers. It’s also used in making fireworks, matches, and even in some medicines because it’s good at killing germs.
And despite its stinky reputation, it’s one of the essential elements that all living things need to work right, from tiny bacteria to big plants and animals, including us.
Where you can find sulfur in West Virginia
To find this bright yellow element in solid form, among the places you can look through are the Aurora Stone Company Quarry and the downslope quarry in Hively Gap.
Galena
Galena is a shiny, gray rock that’s the main source of lead. It looks metallic and heavy, and it forms in cubes or sometimes like stair steps.
It forms deep underground in places where hot fluids are moving through rocks, which helps the lead mix with sulfur to make this neat rock.
You can find it in mines for lead or other metals like silver. Sometimes, it’s hanging out in limestone or other rocks that have been changed a lot by heat and pressure.
The lead from galena is used in batteries, protection from radiation like X-ray aprons, and parts of cars and boats. A long time ago, it’s even used to make pipes and paint.
Amazingly, galena was used to make the first radio receivers! Before modern electronics, this rock helped pick up radio waves when touched with a wire. This setup was called a “crystal radio,” and it didn’t even need batteries to work.
Where you can find galena in West Virginia
Explore these places if you want to uncover galena:
- Howell Zinc Prospect
- Along Dry Run
- Two black limestone quarries in Keyser area
Quartzite
Quartzite starts its life as sandstone. When a beach full of sand gets squished and heated up over a long time, it changes the sandstone into hard and strong quartzite.
It’s often found in places with lots of mountains or where there were mountains a long time ago. Since it’s so durable, it sticks around even when other rocks wear away.
That’s why you might see it on top of a mountain or used in buildings and decorations. It comes in different colors, too, like white, pink, or gray.
Quartzite is not only beautiful but also very practical. It’s used to make countertops, tiles, and even to cover buildings because it can handle weather and wear well.
Some ancient cutting and hunting tools were even made from quartzite.
Where you can find quartzite in West Virginia
You can find red quartzite pieces if you explore the New Creek area between US 50 and US 220.
Chert
Chert can break with a sharp edge, which is why people have been using it for a long time to make tools and weapons.
It forms when tiny pieces of silica, the stuff that sand is made of, get squished together underwater or in the ground. These tiny pieces come from the shells of little sea creatures that lived a long time ago.
You can find chert in riverbanks, old sea beds, and even in some mountains. It comes in different colors too, like red, green, or black, depending on what other kinds of minerals got mixed in while it was forming.
Before we had metal, people made sharp tools and weapons out of it. Even today, artists and crafters use chert for making sculptures or jewelry.
Some types of chert even have patterns that look like pictures or landscapes, called picture chert.
Where you can find chert in West Virginia
You can find chert in the following locations in our state:
- Bluefield area
- Two black limestone quarries in Keyser
- New Creek area
Psilomelane
Psilomelane is not a single mineral, but a mix of minerals all mashed together. It’s part of the manganese family and forms when manganese minerals in the ground mix with water and then harden over time.
It’s typically found in places where there are other manganese minerals, often in mines.
People like to dig it up because manganese is used in making batteries, steel, and even in some chemicals that help clean things.
Sometimes, it’s even used to make jewelry or as a decoration because it catches the light and sparkles.
Despite its hard-to-pronounce name, psilomelane is part of our everyday life in ways we might not even realize. The manganese from it is important in making the steel in our cars and bikes stronger.
Where you can find psilomelane in West Virginia
There are many places where you can find psilomelane in our state, including:
- Alvon area manganese mines
- Crest and southeast side of Moss Mountain
- Iron mines in Beaver Lick Mountain
The Gemstones Found In West Virginia
Aside from a vast array of rocks and minerals, our state also boasts of a wealth of gems hidden beneath its surface.
If you want to explore West Virginia for the treasure chest of gems it hides, below is a useful guide that we created for you:
Calcite
Calcite comes in lots of colors like clear, white, pink, and even blue or green. It’s made when calcium carbonate, a kind of stuff found in rocks and sea creatures’ shells, gets together and forms crystals.
This can happen in places like caves or even in old sea beds that have turned into rock over a long time.
This gem can make things look double when you look through it because of how it bends light. This ability is called double refraction.
The value of calcite comes from its beauty and these cool features, making it a crowd favorite.
Some types of calcite also glow and shine in amazing colors under blacklight, which makes them extra fun to look at.
Where you can find calcite in West Virginia
Luckily, calcite is widespread in our state. Among the many areas where you can find them here are:
- Countywide in limestone quarries in Berkeley County
- Abandoned quarry in Petersburg
- Greer area
Opal
Opal is all about color and sparkle. It’s made when silica-rich water then gets trapped in cracks and spaces.
Over a long time, it dries out and leaves behind opal. It can show many colors all at once, like a rainbow trapped inside a rock!
The worth of opal comes from its stunning play of color, which can include just about every hue you can imagine. It’s used in all kinds of jewelry because of this.
In ancient times, people believed opal could provide its owner with the gift of prophecy and protection from disease.
Today, it’s still a symbol of hope and creativity for many. It’s valued for its ability to dazzle and change colors depending on the light and angle.
Where you can find opal in West Virginia
To find opal here, you can pay a visit and search through the headwaters of Scotts Run and at the underside of large slabs of sandstone in Coopers Rock area.
Jasper
Jasper comes in lots of different colors and patterns. It’s part of the quartz family, which means it’s pretty tough stuff.
It forms when tiny bits of minerals get mixed up with silica and then get squished together under the ground, turning into a solid rock.
It’s valued for its beauty and the way it can look like a painting made by nature. It’s used a lot in jewelry because of its pretty colors and patterns. Some people also believe it has special meanings and can bring calmness and happiness.
Jasper’s price isn’t just about how it looks. Each piece of it is one of a kind. You could have one with swirls, spots, or even pictures that look like landscapes.
Where you can find jasper in West Virginia
Jasper is such a common find in our state, and if you want to uncover it, you can explore these areas:
- Countywide in iron mines in Hardy County
- Series of Pennsylvania Glass Sand Corporation quarries
- Berkeley Springs area quarries
Dolomite
Dolomite forms when limestone gets a makeover with some magnesium in the mix. This happens underground when magnesium-rich water seeps through it, changing it bit by bit into dolomite.
This process creates a rock that’s harder than limestone and comes in a bunch of pretty colors like pink, green, white, and even gray.
Aside from being pretty, this gem is used in buildings, countertops, and even in taking care of the soil.
Dolomite’s price can vary depending on how it’s used. For jewelry and decorative items, it’s all about how pretty and unique the piece is.
Interestingly, it can fizz a little when you drop vinegar on it, but not as much as limestone does. This test is a neat trick to tell dolomite apart from its rock relatives.
Where you can find dolomite in West Virginia
To uncover dolomite, you can explore the following places:
- Cacapon Mountain State Park
- Hill north of Lost River
- Moorefield area in Hardy County
Chalcedony
Chalcedony is part of the quartz family. It’s not just one color: it comes in a rainbow of colors, from blue and green to pink and orange.
It’s made from tiny crystals of quartz that are so small you can’t see them with just your eyes. These tiny crystals all pack together to form chalcedony, and they can be found in all kinds of places, like inside rocks or lining the walls of caves.
It’s not only beautiful but also very smooth and shiny, so it’s used in all sorts of jewelry.
The value of chalcedony comes from its wide range of colors and its pretty glow, which makes it a favorite for making stylish and eye-catching pieces.
A long time ago, people believed it could protect them from bad dreams and even help them stay calm and positive. Because of its cool, soothing colors and smooth texture, it was thought to bring peace and keep away negative vibes.
Where you can find chalcedony in West Virginia
You can find chalcedony at the east face outcrops and old quarries of Knobly Mountain.
Gypsum
Chances are you might have seen gypsum without even realizing it. It’s usually white or clear, but it can also be other light colors, like the one in the photo.
It comes from water that has a lot of minerals in it. When this water evaporates, it leaves behind the gypsum. This can happen in lakes, rivers, and even in the soil.
One of its most common uses is in making drywall— that’s the stuff most of our indoor walls are made of. It’s also used in making plaster, which artists use for their sculptures, and it’s even in some toothpaste.
The value of gypsum comes from how versatile it is. It’s not just for building or art; farmers use it to help their crops grow better, and scientists use it in labs to study different things.
Did you know that one of the largest crystals ever found was made of gypsum? In a cave in Mexico, there are gypsum crystals that are as long as a school bus!
Where you can find gypsum in West Virginia
If you want to find gypsum, you can explore the limestone cliffs in Smoke Hole Caverns and east to the West Virginia Road Commission Stone Quarry.
Chabazite
Chabazite belongs to the zeolite family. It comes from tiny, perfect crystals forming in pockets of volcanic rock or ancient, dried-up lake beds.
It forms in places where volcanic rocks react with water over a long time. This creates beautiful crystals that can be clear, white, pink, or even a peachy color.
Chabazite is really pretty to look at. Its crystals can have this neat, geometric shape that’s like a mix between a cube and a diamond.
Plus, it’s super interesting to scientists because it can help clean water and air by trapping bad stuff inside its structure.
It’s been used in farming to help plants grow better. This is because it can hold onto water and nutrients and then slowly release them, which helps keep soil healthy.
Where you can find chabazite in West Virginia
You can find fine specimens of chabazite in the vugs at the Sugar Grove road cut.
The Crystals Found In West Virginia
Our state is also filled with an amazing variety of crystals hidden beneath its surface. From the sparkling quartz to the colorful fluorite, West Virginia’s land is a playground for crystal hunters and nature lovers.
If you’re curious about finding them, check out the guide that we created below:
Quartz
Quartz is a crystal that can be found all around the world. It’s made when silica gets super hot and then cools down, sticking together to form crystals.
This can happen in lots of places, like deep underground or even in some rocks that come from volcanoes. Quartz is really strong and can come in lots of colors, like clear, pink, purple, and even black.
It’s not just pretty to look at; it’s also used in making watches, electronics, and even in building materials.
The worth of quartz comes from how useful and beautiful it is. You can find it in jewelry, carved into cool shapes, or just as natural crystals.
It can create electricity when you squeeze it. This is called the piezoelectric effect. That’s why it’s used in watches and clocks. When an electric current goes through it, it vibrates at a very steady rate, which helps keep the watch ticking accurately.
Where you can find quartz in West Virginia
Search through the following sites if you’re eyeing for quartz:
- Greenbrier River
- Both directions along Turkey Creek
- East slope of Branch Mountain
Hematite
Hematite is a shiny, dark crystal that looks like metal because it’s so smooth and cool to the touch. It forms when there’s a lot of iron in the water, and this mixes with oxygen.
Think of it like when iron rusts, but instead of getting rusty spots, the earth makes this awesome crystal.
You can find hematite in places where there used to be water, like old lakes or streams that have dried up.
It’s been used for a long time to make jewelry and decorations. Hematite’s price can vary, but a lot of its value comes from how it looks and what people feel it can do for them. Some believe it can help them feel more grounded and calm.
Another interesting property of hematite is that it is magnetic. Not all crystals can do that. Plus, long ago, people used it to write with, calling it “bloodstone” because the powdered stone looks red like blood.
Where you can find hematite in West Virginia
Hematite is abundant in our state and you can find it in a handful of spots, including:
- Wardensville area mines
- East end of Kline Gap
- Williamsburg area
Celestite
Celestite comes in shades of light blue, making it look like a piece of the sky fell to the ground. It’s made from a mineral called strontium sulfate.
This crystal forms from the evaporation of seawater in really deep, ancient sea beds, or in cracks and cavities of rocks, where the right mix of minerals and water come together over a long time.
It’s used in jewelry, decorations, and sometimes just as a stunning crystal to have on display.
Many folks also believe it has special qualities, like helping to calm the mind and bring a sense of tranquility.
With its delicate appearance, it’s named after the Latin word for “heavenly” because of its heavenly blue color that reminds people of the sky. Also, celestite can glow in the dark when it’s placed under UV light, which adds to its magical feel.
Where you can find celestite in West Virginia
To find celestite, we recommend exploring these locations:
- Mill Creek Mountain gap at the Tonoloway Limestone Quarry
- Cedar Cliff
- Railroad cut at the west foot of Knobly Mountain
Fluorite
Fluorite can be all sorts of colors, like purple, green, blue, and even clear. It forms when hot water with lots of minerals in it moves through rocks underground and cools down, leaving behind these colorful crystals.
Sometimes, it even comes in two or more colors in the same crystal, which looks really awesome!
People love this crystal for its bright colors and the way it looks when polished, making it popular for jewelry and ornaments.
Fluorite’s value comes from its beauty. Additionally, it helps scientists learn about what’s happening deep underground where it forms.
It also glows under ultraviolet light! This cool trick is called fluorescence, and actually, the word “fluorescence” comes from the name of this crystal because fluorite was one of the first minerals where this glowing effect was noticed.
Where you can find fluorite in West Virginia
There are many places in our state where you can find fluorite, such as:
- Renick Station and Falling Spring railroad tracks
- Shepherdstown area
- Two black limestone quarries in Keyser
Epidote
Epidote is usually green, but it can also be yellow-green or almost black. It forms deep underground in rocks that have been changed by heat and pressure. It’s often found with other minerals and rocks.
Its deep, rich green color is really pretty and can make awesome-looking jewelry and decorations.
Also, some folks believe that epidote has special properties, like helping them feel more positive and connected to nature. That’s why you might find it in places where people want to add a bit of nature’s beauty and some good vibes.
A scientific use of epidote is that it can help scientists understand the conditions under which rocks form.
Interestingly, epidote can sometimes show up in places where it wasn’t expected, like in rocks from meteorites or even on the beach!
Where you can find epidote in West Virginia
You can find epidote by searching through the Snickers Gap in the Mannings area.
Muscovite
Muscovite is part of the mica family, and it’s super shiny and flaky. It can be almost clear or have colors like silver, pink, or even light green.
It forms in layers, kind of like the pages in a book, and it grows in rocks that have been through a lot of heat and pressure.
This can happen in places where mountains are forming or where rocks are being changed by heat from the earth.
Because it can split into thin sheets, muscovite is used in windows for stoves and heaters, and even in electrical gadgets. It’s great for these uses because it doesn’t melt easily and it’s a good insulator.
Back before glass was easy to get and affordable, people would also use thin sheets of this crystal as windows because it was clear enough to see through and could keep the wind and cold out.
Where you can find muscovite in West Virginia
You can uncover interesting muscovite pieces along the Ohio River in our state.
Pyrite
Pyrite is a shiny, metallic-looking crystal that’s often called “fool’s gold” because it looks a lot like real gold to the untrained eye.
It forms in rocks that are forming from settling sediments, near hot springs, and even in rocks that have been changed by lots of heat and pressure.
It comes together when iron and sulfur in the water combine and make crystals. These crystals can look like perfect cubes or other cool shapes.
It’s used in making jewelry and decorations, sure, but it also has a role in science and industry. It can be used to help make sulfuric acid, which is important in lots of chemical processes.
Pyrite’s price is about how interesting and useful it can be. When you struck it against metal, it would spark and help light a fire, which was pretty handy before matches and lighters came around.
Where you can find pyrite in West Virginia
We recommend exploring the following places if you want to find pyrite:
- South of Booths Creek
- Sissaboo Hollow
- East of Charles Town area
The Most Valuable Rocks and Minerals in West Virginia
Our state is also home to various valuable rocks and minerals. We’ve selected three of the most amazing ones to share with you:
Petrified Wood
Petrified wood forms when an old tree turns into stone. Imagine a tree falling in a forest long ago and getting covered by mud and stuff. Over a long time, the wood parts slowly get replaced by minerals from water soaking through them.
This process turns the tree into a stone version of itself. It keeps the tree’s shape and even its rings, so it looks like wood but is as hard as rock!
It’s beautiful and can be polished to look shiny and smooth, making it great for decorations, jewelry, and even for collectors who love cool rocks.
The value of petrified wood comes from its beauty and rarity, especially pieces that show clear details of the wood or have unique colors.
It can be found in all sorts of colors, depending on the minerals that seeped into the wood. Some pieces are rainbow-colored, with bright reds, yellows, and greens all in one piece of wood-turned-stone.
Where you can find petrified wood in West Virginia
Among the many places where you can find petrified wood in our state are the north side of the creek in Berry Hills County Club Road and the Connellsville Coal Company No. 1 Mine.
Silicified Coral
Silicified coral is what you get when coral, which usually lives under the sea, turns into stone over a really long time.
It forms when coral gets buried under sediment and its parts get replaced by silica. It keeps the coral’s shape and patterns, so you can see all the little details of the coral, but now it’s a rock.
People think silicified coral is valuable because it’s like a piece of nature’s artwork that’s turned into stone.
It can be cut and polished to make beautiful jewelry or used as decoration. Its patterns and colors can be pretty, ranging from white and grey to red and brown.
Silicified coral is also known as agatized coral because the silica that replaces the coral often forms patterns that look like agate, another type of beautiful stone.
Where you can find silicified coral in West Virginia
If you interested in finding silicified coral, your best chance is to explore these areas:
- Area pits and stream gravels in Williamsburg
- Mill Point
- Locust Creek
Geode
A geode looks plain on the outside but is actually hiding a sparkling secret. Inside, it’s filled with beautiful crystals!
Geodes form when rocks with hollow spaces inside, like bubbles in lava or holes in sedimentary rocks, get filled up with mineral-rich water. The minerals in the water crystallize inside these spaces, creating a sparkly treasure chest.
Opening geodes is like finding a surprise inside a plain-looking box. The crystals can be all sorts of colors, depending on the minerals.
That’s why geode’s worth isn’t just in how it looks; it’s also in the surprise and the beauty hidden inside it. They’re used in jewelry, decoration, and just to collect because they’re so neat.
Some geodes are big enough for a person to fit inside! But most are small, fitting in the palm of your hand.
Where you can find geode in West Virginia
Explore these spots if you want to find geodes in our state:
- Limestone cliffs in Smoke Hole Caverns
- Knobly Mountain
- Seneca Creek
How to Identify The Rocks and Minerals You Find
With the vast variety of rocks and minerals out there, identifying them in the field is an adventure in itself. If you need more guidance on how to do this successfully, here are a few tips that you can consider trying:
Check the color and texture
Unique colors and textures can often provide the first clue to its identity. For example, the bright blue of azurite is distinctive, and the greasy feel of talc is unmistakable.
However, color alone can be misleading because some minerals can come in various colors due to impurities.
Texture, such as the grainy feel of sandstone or the smoothness of obsidian, can also guide you toward identification.
Test its hardness with common objects
You can perform a basic hardness test using objects of known hardness.
For instance, if the mineral scratches glass (hardness around 5.5) but not quartz (hardness 7), its hardness is between those numbers.
Try using a fingernail (hardness 2.5), a penny (around 3), and a steel knife (about 5.5) for scratching. A mineral that scratches a penny but not a knife is likely to have a hardness of about 4, like fluorite.
Do a streak test with a porcelain tile
While you might not have a streak plate, the unglazed backside of a porcelain tile can work. Scratch the mineral across the tile to observe the streak color. This is useful for identifying minerals with a characteristic streak color.
For example, hematite, despite its silver to black appearance, leaves a reddish streak, distinguishing it from minerals with similar appearances but different streak colors.
Test for any acid reaction
If you have vinegar or lemon juice, you can test for carbonate minerals. Place a drop on the rock. If it fizzes, it likely contains calcium carbonate, indicating it could be limestone or calcite.
This reaction occurs because the acid reacts with the carbonate to produce carbon dioxide gas.
Feel its weight
Some minerals are denser than they appear, giving them a surprising weight for their size, like galena (lead ore). Conversely, pumice is so light it can float on water.
By comparing the weight of the specimen in your hand to what you would expect from its size, you can gain insight into its composition.
A very heavy small rock might contain dense minerals like iron ore, while a surprisingly light rock could be volcanic glass.
