Rockhounding in New Mexico: where to find gems and minerals
Good news for rockhounds: New Mexico has gems and minerals to find. We've mapped 493 places where gems and minerals have been recorded, all on public land open to prospecting. 333 of them have no active mining claim: grab your rock hammer and go, with hand tools you don't need anyone's permission. 160 are on someone's mining claim, so ask the claim holder before you dig at those.
See all 493 spots on the New Mexico map
How to read the map
- Green: public land, no active claim. Go ahead with your rock hammer and hand tools, no permission needed.
- Yellow: public land with an active mining claim. Ask the claim holder before you dig.
Many recorded sites are old mines. Shafts, tunnels and bad air can kill: never go inside. Prospect in the creek and on the surface, and use common sense out there. See our terms.
What people find in New Mexico
Fluorite (271 spots), Pegmatite (mica) (114 spots), Beryllium minerals (34 spots), Pegmatite (niobium) (23 spots), Beryl (22 spots), Kyanite (16 spots), Pegmatite (tantalum) (14 spots), Jasper (10 spots), Gemstone (9 spots), Pegmatite (feldspar) (9 spots), Tourmaline (9 spots), Wulfenite (8 spots)
Questions we often get
Where can I go rockhounding in New Mexico?
We haven't found a place in New Mexico set up for visitors yet, but there's still plenty to explore on your own. On the map you'll find 333 spots on public land with no active mining claim, where you can go with hand tools without asking anyone.
Are the gem and mineral sites in New Mexico under mining claims?
Some are. Every spot we map in New Mexico is on public land open to prospecting, but 160 of the 493 fall inside an active mining claim. A claim means someone holds the mineral rights there, so you need their permission to dig. The other 333 have no active claim: those you can work with hand tools, no permission needed.
Are there rock and mineral clubs in New Mexico?
We haven't listed one in New Mexico yet. Check back soon: we're adding clubs state by state.