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Hey there Gems!
You won't believe the journey we've been on scouring the crystal-rich lands of Arkansas.
We've combed every corner, turning up some real treasures – blue phantoms, solution quartz, you name it!
But guess what? We've hit the jackpot with something truly special: smokey quartz! Yes, you heard that right. In this blog, we're spilling the beans on Arkansas smokey quartz.
Blog Topics:
what makes it a smokey
the difference between treated smokey quartz and natural smokey
where to find it
what gear you will need
how to spot it
and get this, we've got the scoop on a brand-spanking-new mine open to all you rockhounds!
So grab your gear and get ready for an adventure like no other as we go hunting for smokey quartz in the heart of Arkansas!
Arkansas Smokey Quartz is a mesmerizing variety of quartz that is renowned for its captivating smoky hues. These hues can range from light gray to deep brown.
This stunning gemstone owes its unique coloration to the natural radiation present during its formation process.
As quartz crystals grow deep within the Earth's crust, trace amounts of aluminum impurities interact with the surrounding environment, absorbing radiation and causing the crystal to darken over time.
The result of this process is the creation of beautiful smokey quartz specimens that have captured the attention of collectors and enthusiasts for generations.
These are three Arkansas smokey quartz examples from Pine Ridge Crystal Mine.
Can you spot the difference between three smokey quartz crystals and three clear quartz crystals in the photo below?
Here is another example of a giant Arkansas Smokey quartz that was found at the Willie Rickard Rock Farm in Paron, AR.
Natural smokey quartz derives its distinctive color from naturally occurring radiation and aluminum impurities during its formation deep within the Earth's crust, resulting in a range of smoky hues.
In contrast, irradiated or heat-treated smokey quartz undergoes artificial processes where radiation or heat is applied to enhance or alter its color, often resulting in a more uniform and intense hue.
While both types can be visually striking, natural smokey quartz tends to exhibit more subtle variations and a unique charm rooted in its natural formation process.
Below is an example of Arkansas clear quartz that has been heat-treated
If you're on the hunt for natural smokey quartz crystals in Arkansas, there are a couple of standout locations to explore.
One promising spot, which is where we found ours, is the newly opened Pine Ridge Mine in Odin, AR.
Another hotspot is the Rock Farm, which is owned by the Willie Rickard family.
For more insider tips on crystal-hunting locations across Arkansas, including details on the Willie Rickard Rock farm, be sure to dive into our comprehensive e-book guide.
Happy digging y'all!
Let's discuss the new crystal mine we discovered!"
Jen and I visited a mine called Pine Ridge Mine, located in Oden, AR, near Mena.
When we arrived, we had trouble with our cell service and missed our turn.
Consequently, we had to drive around trying to figure it out without GPS or a map! Since this happened, we added a map to our ebook so you don't have to get lost too!
The owner of the mine, James, who had relocated from Texas with his family, used to work as a paramedic and a fishing guide. His daughter became interested in rockhounding, and now they own a crystal mine in Arkansas.
He showed us where he'd been digging with his excavator and pointed out some spots to start.
No easy digging here! – We recommend bringing these tools:
rock hammers
chisels
pry bars
gloves
fine tool
antlers
paper to wrap your crystals in
It was tough, but we hit the jackpot when we found clay pockets with clear crystal points.
Pine Ridge is also famous for its huge double-terminated Arkimers, and we found quite a few.
We spent hours carefully uncovering crystals from the clay.
The trick is to use the pry bar to get rid of the sandstone, then use a fine tool like a screwdriver or chopstick to reveal the crystals.
Necia spent over three hours on one rock, and it turned out to be the biggest cluster she had ever found!
We were over the moon and the value of the crystal equaled the dig fee! You can catch the moment on our TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram.
Well, my crystal-loving friends, our dig at Pine Ridge was epic!
We scored some seriously stunning smokey quartz specimens that have got us buzzing with excitement.
But hey, if you're hungry for more crystal adventures (and let's be real, who isn't?), our e-book is where it's at.
We spill all the juicy details about Pine Ridge and spill the beans on other prime digging spots across Arkansas.
Trust me, you won't want to miss out on this treasure trove of crystal-hunting secrets.
Happy Digging Y'all!
Author: Necia Nash with prompts from Chat GPT
Edited by: Jennifer Walker & Grammarly
All images Copyright of Arkansas Crystal Girls