Coleman's Crystal Mine: Quartz Rockhounding in Garland County, Arkansas

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Garland County

State

Arkansas

Nearest road

AR 7

Postcode

71909

Coordinates

34.67254, -93.07247

Geology at Coleman's Crystal Mine

This spot sits on Mazarn Shale, mapped as shale that formed roughly 485 to 470 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit

Mazarn Shale

Age

485–470 Ma (Early Ordovician)

Rock types

shale

Elevation

790 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Coleman's Crystal Mine

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 49°F in winter to 89°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BLAKELY MTN DAM station (10 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

• Ouachita National Forest, Mineral Collecting
• Crater of Diamonds State Park, Rules and finds
• Arkansas Geological Survey
• Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Coleman's Crystal Mine

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

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