Gem Hunting in Central Texas

Many garnets and topaz gemstones are found scattered in stream gravels.

Central Texas provides a plethora of gem and mineral hunting opportunities. Rock hounds and lapidaries often collect gem specimens such as jasper, cinnabar, agate, quartz, topaz and microcline. Dress for the weather including sunscreen and hats. Some areas require a permit to search the area, so be respectful of private lands.

Topaz

Mason Country in the Texas Hill Country is the ideal location and popular hunting ground for the gem-quality white, pale-blue and sky-blue topaz --- the state's official gemstone. Fine crystals are occasionally found in pegmatite dikes associated with quartz, black or pink tourmaline, and cassiterite; however, many of the pegmatites have eroded away depositing the topaz crystals in stream beds.

Quartz

Smoky quartz crystals can be found with topaz in pegmatite dikes and stream beds in Mason County, near Streeter, Katemey and Grit. Though lighter colored than crystals found near Lake Buchanan, the crystals found in Mason County are larger with fewer flaws.

Garnet

Gem-quality almandite garnet has been found in Llano, Blanco, Burnet and Gillespie counties. The stones found scattered in stream gravels as well as concentrated behind rocks and on small gravel bars commonly show appreciable crystal form.

References

• University of Texas: Bureau of Economic Geology: Texas Gemstones
• Arrowheadology.com: Texas Topaz; True Gemstone Points

Resources

• "Gem Trails Of Texas"; Brad L. Cross; 2001