Collecting Quartz Crystals in Saltville, Virginia

Saltville quartz crystals have become a classic locality for Virginia mineral collectors over the years. From farmers tilling the lands to collectors walking the fields, the unique crystal habits from Saltville have left an impression with mineral enthusiasts. Come learn about the locality and what Saltville has to offer outside minerals. Plenty of photos from the field!

[@misspuppa]

Beautiful 😊

[@East_TN_Explorer]

I used to live in Chilhowie and had visited saltville often. Miss that area.

[@kathywilmouth4063]

Excellent video! Thank you for posting this. I try to visit Saltville each year, but have never searched for quartz crystals there. It will definately be on my list on my next visit.

[@u.s.militia7682]

What do you search for when you visit?

[@kathywilmouth4063]

@@u.s.militia7682 I usually go there for camping. I didn't know one could find quartz crystals there.

[@u.s.militia7682]

Kathy Wilmouth my 6 year old son and I hit the streams and look for fossils in shale. We mainly find shell fossils but have found ferns too. I may have found a dinosaur footprint last year but the stone is too heavy to lift. I’ll have to wait for the water to go down so I can take a picture of it and get it verified.

[@canadiangemstones7636]

I acquired a couple of these bizarre DT reverse sceptre phantoms back in 1986, and have wondered about their formation ever since. What a surprise to find this excellent presentation, thanks for sharing!

[@jesseovercash7875]

Living in Kannapolis NC. Looking to Move To Saltville Soon This Has Really In spired Us To move There Soon. Great Job holding our Interest. Buddy Overcash Jr.

[@daviddavis4394]

That was an amazing presentation, thanks for taking the time to share here. Right around 12min into the video you talk about the unconformity and interstate 81. If there was a birds eye view map of Saltville, with a line drawn for were the best concentrations are, or where you performed your digs at 44:31, that would help to focus our efforts for asking permission from land owners. Thanks!

[@friendsofmineralogyvirgini1410]

Thanks David! The layer itself that hosts the crystals is at the valley top before you go down into Saltville. It is VERY difficult to access the layer and then it becomes even harder to dig the material. If you are coming from I-81 you will go through Chilhowie first, then go up and then down into Saltville. Collectors have found the most material in the valley as the layer has already weathered and the crystals are now found in the residual soils. As I mentioned, clubs would walk fields after the rains. I would start my prospecting to the right side instead of the left, where the marshy and fossil deposits are located. Looking on Google Maps, you will notice tons of dips and craters in the satellite images from sinkholes and karst features. That is the area to ask and build relationships!

[@daviddavis4394]

@@friendsofmineralogyvirgini1410 Thanks for your fast reply, just so I am tracking accurately, I am looking at an approximate area from Rita's Deli off 107 going northeast to Cherry Hollow Orchard, or south west down to Clark Farm Road....sound about right?

[@u.s.militia7682]

What type of quartz?