Hobbies And Interests

How to Locate Crystals in Minnesota

Minnesota, thanks to the partial splitting of the continent billions of years ago and an ensuing ice age, is a hot bed for all sorts of geological treasures, including crystals. Crystals billions of years old can be found around the state. Crystals form underneath the Earth from different minerals, with differences in temperature and pressure creating the vast and beautiful variations in size, shape and color. Each crystal, like a snowflake, is completely unique. For those with an adventurous side, crystal hunting in Minnesota can be a fun and educational activity for the whole family.

Things You'll Need

  • Hiking Boots
  • Sunscreen
  • Small hand rake
  • A screwdriver
  • Plastic bags
  • Bucket
  • Magnifying lens
  • Map
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plan your trip. Consult the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for a list of public locations that are most likely to have natural resources. There are also a variety of private mining sites that allow crystal hunting. Pick a location and call ahead to find out how difficult the hiking and terrain is to find resources and if there are any special considerations, especially if there are children involved. The best places to find crystals are oftentimes mining sites that can be dangerous if caution is not used.

    • 2

      Pack accordingly. Wear hiking boots and bring a backpack with a map of the area you are exploring, sunscreen, a small hand rake and a screwdriver for digging, a magnifying lens and, plastic bags, and a bucket to store your findings. A pen and paper should be brought along to record where each item was found.

    • 3

      Hunt for crystals. Many times crystals can be found simply by looking around on the ground. When you see a shimmer, use your hand rake to carefully dig around the area. Crystals will be covered in mud and muck but will be recognizable. Crystals are sharp so be very careful when handling them.

    • 4

      Identify your findings. Once you get home, consult a reliable source, such as the University of Minnesota's Geological Survey Department, for reference sheets. Knowing where you found an item will help in determining what it is, as the University has maps showing the geological features of Minnesota.


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