Rock hunting in Tennessee

[TeAra]

Hello to all...I live in TN and have been collecting rocks of all kinds for years from many different states...My only problem now is finding things other than quartz..Does anyone know maybe where to search in NE TN...I am about 30 minutes away from Boone, NC to give an idea of my location...Any help is appreciated.

 

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[mamabear]

I would google Tenn. rock clubs. I know TN has some amazingly colorful agates. Mid state. I don't know anything about your location. Good luck.

 

[TeAra]

Yes I have collected many agate...We have 2 clubs one sorta local and have searched everything to find rocks here in E TN other than red clay lol thanks

 

[mamabear]

red clay. lovely stuff isn't it? is this where you are finding your crystals? the amazing crystals in Arkansas are in it.

 

[TeAra]

No luck finding anything in the red clay...I mostly find my rocks in the river that comes out of NC..and Watauga Lake...I have found a few "fossils" least that's what I was told...that were in the woods that surround our area...Only problem is having to watch where I hunt as most is Appalachian Trail and Cherokee forest.

 

[Mike_of_Tenn]

There is a pretty yellow mineral/element you can find around the Cherokee Forest! There is some agate here but I forget the location off hand. As the poster above said. Google TN rocks and minerals. There are a couple of great clubs! I found a few yesterday in a cave in middle TN that will now go into my aquariums. Just sold most my tumblers but do have some nice material left if your into that....But you are in gold country!

Mike

 

[tngirl]

Hi TeAra, I'm in northern middle Tennessee. Do you have quartz geodes where you are at? We find quite a few of those here. Not sure if there are any lakes near you, but I have had good luck with fossils (mainly crinoid stems and shells) by walking the shorelines of the local ones.

 

[rocksnsilver]

Here is the link for gem and mineral clubs in north carolina... Contact the one closest to you and they could help you out.

Bob's Rock Shop: North Carolina Gem and Mineral Clubs

 

[TeAra]

I have yet to find geodes...have not gave up searching tho...I mostly find quartz rocks and agates...have tons of them...I live near Watauga Lake...I can find a few deep black quartz there when the levels are low..I am closer to the NC border

 

[TeAra]

The forest surrounds the area I live in but with the rules and laws I have to be careful where I search since most says not to take anything...Most of the local caves have already been cleaned out or are off limits around here which is sad cause I would be happy with just pictures of them...I found my agates on a construction job site my husband and I worked on as well as a few fossils which no one seems to know what kind...have yet to find gold but man when I do will let all know lol...what kind of materials do you have? Like I said I do not have many.

 

[Lorims401]

Hey TeAra. My name is Lori and I'm kind of new to the whole Rock hounding awesomeness! I live in Jonesborough. I've heard from several people that there are some great crystals to be found in Butler, Unicoi and places in Erwin. Only got this info a few days ago and haven't went hunting those places for myself yet. I'm waiting to hear back from a surveyor to tell me about some places "specifically" to go to. I'll keep you updated as I learn. I have parents that live on an interesting part of the Nolichucky river and have found some awesome agates when the river is down.