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Where to Find Quartz in New Mexico

New Mexico quartz comes from pegmatite and vein settings across the northern half of the state. The Harding mine in Taos County produced clear and smoky quartz alongside its famous lepidolite and microcline. The Sandia and Manzano mountains east of Albuquerque carry smoky and milky quartz vein material in granite. Pegmatites in Rio Arriba County (Petaca, Ojo Caliente) yield smoky points and microcline-quartz intergrowths. Surface quartz on roadcuts through the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez ranges is common; gem-grade crystals concentrate in active pegmatite pockets and rarely surface on open dumps.

12 mapped quartz rockhounding spots in New Mexico, across 10 counties.

Map of 12 quartz rockhounding spots in New Mexico

Quartz by county in New Mexico

Counties ranked by number of quartz spots in our database.

Every quartz spot in New Mexico

Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps. Click a row for details.

SpotCountyMineralsCoordinatesAccess
Luna (agate area)Bill Knight Gap RoadCatron County33.8189, -108.9548Public
RoswellRiver RoadChaves County33.3950, -104.3999Public
Fort SumnerSouth 9th StreetDe Baca County34.4591, -104.2396Public
Fort Sumner (Pecos diamonds)US 60De Baca County34.4731, -104.7230Public
HatchDoña Ana County32.7108, -107.1072Public
Hatch (goethite area)County Road 0068Doña Ana County32.7569, -107.1355Public
ArtesiaEddy County32.8313, -104.3178Public
Tres Hermanas MtscdtLuna County31.9307, -107.7255Public
PetacaForest Road 45Rio Arriba County36.5033, -106.0235Public
KingstonKingston RoadSierra County32.9312, -107.7106Public
Oscura MountainsWsmr South Route 3501Socorro County33.8118, -106.3750Public
Harding Pegmatite MineTaos County
  • Blue Apatite
  • Bityite
  • Eucryptite
  • Purple Lepidolite
  • Rose Muscovite
  • Quartz
  • Spodumene
  • Green Tourmaline
36.1933, -105.7950Public

Quartz in New Mexico FAQ

Where can I find quartz in New Mexico?+
New Mexico quartz comes from pegmatite and vein settings across the northern half of the state. The Harding mine in Taos County produced clear and smoky quartz alongside its famous lepidolite and microcline. The Sandia and Manzano mountains east of Albuquerque carry smoky and milky quartz vein material in granite. Pegmatites in Rio Arriba County (Petaca, Ojo Caliente) yield smoky points and microcline-quartz intergrowths. Surface quartz on roadcuts through the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez ranges is common; gem-grade crystals concentrate in active pegmatite pockets and rarely surface on open dumps. The most productive ground is in Harding mine (Taos County), Petaca pegmatites (Rio Arriba County), Sandia Mountains (Bernalillo County).
Is collecting quartz legal in New Mexico?+
Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like quartz is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in New Mexico, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.
What is the best quartz location in New Mexico?+
Harding mine (Taos County) is the standout. Other strong ground includes Petaca pegmatites (Rio Arriba County), Sandia Mountains (Bernalillo County).

Other states for quartz

Other minerals to find in New Mexico

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