If you enjoy quartz and want to find your own, the Diamond Hill Mine in Antreville, South Carolina provides the public with one of the only opportunities to collect so many varieties of it in one place. Many of these quartz crystals also have a gorgeous oxide coating adding splotches of reds, yellows, black, and browns to the surface. In addition to the quartz, pegmatites containing beryl and other minerals have been dug on the site. This amazing variety and abundance of material on just under three acres of land is why so many diggers flock to this special site.
These specimens of quartz, collected by John Krygier: https://www.mindat.org/gallery-13767.html, are typical examples of what you can find at this mine. The black coating is due to manganese oxides, and the orange coating is due to iron oxides.
Amazing amethyst cluster found by a guest to the mine. This photo of Diamond Hill Mine (Courtesy of Tripadvisor)
Smoky amethyst found at the mine and featured in their online gallery.
https://diamondhillmine.com/gallery/
Geology: The Diamond Hill Mine is hosted in a granite, and is one of numerous quartz localities in the Eastern US to be hosted in such geology. As the granite cooled, water rich in silica and other chemicals became less soluble in the molten rock, escaping and creating veins hosting the quartz crystals. Pegmatites — coarse grained rocks also formed in the granite as a result of cooling, and these are where rare elements escaped to, forming minerals like beryl. Subtropical weathering broke down the feldspar in this granite into clay, exposing this deposit very slowly over the eons.
Digging: This is a site good for rockhounds of all experience levels. Hand tools are welcome and there are many strategies for collecting in the various pits at the mine. Be aware of which areas allow public digging. Machinery in the main workings dig up material for guests to search for in massive spoils piles. Surface collecting is your best option here. Bring gloves, a small rake or trowel, a screwdriver or stick to poke around, and some water to rinse off your finds.
You may also decide to try to find your own vein and work it. This method doesn’t guarantee you’ll get anything- the results vary, but there is a possibility for you to get incredible material if you develop a skill for understanding this location. You will need a hammer, chisels, pickaxe, shovel, buckets, and water for rinsing material to work these veins. You will likely have to move a lot of rock.
General Information & Pricing
Diamond Hill Mine
100 Diamond Mine Road
Abbeville, SC 29620
(864) 934-3744 or (864) 446-7357
Camping is available on site. Tents and small motor homes are welcome. Camping is free, but please call the mine in advance to make reservation. Call Gina Clary at (864) 934-3744 or email at dhmine@rocketmail.com.
Bring food and water! Also bring sunscreen and bug spray! The only facilities are an outhouse and picnic tables. There is no running water. The closest place for supplies is a mini-mart type gas station about 5 minutes away.
Digging is from time of registration to sunset.
Adults 18+ : $20
Teens 13-17: $10
Seniors 65+: $10
Children 6-12: $5
Children 5 & under: FREE (as well as non-collectors but they will not be allowed in the collecting area.)
For larger groups, discounts are available. Visit diamondhillmine.com for more information.
Article by Jeremy Zolan
Sources:
https://www.gamineral.org/_docs/11-16may04.pdf