Rocks and Geological Sites
Are you one of those people who
come home from a hike with rocks in your pocket? Do fossils amaze
you, especially those little sea urchins you found in the middle
of the desert? Well, you are not alone. If you enjoy looking
at pretty rocks, being amazed at their formations and colors,
wondering where all the fish went, then visit some of these places
below. New Mexico even has special Rock Hounding Days when everyone
who loves rocks gets together to celebrate their love and get
more.
- Blanchard Rock Shop - "Trinitite for Sale" The Blanchard
Rock Shop, located on Hwy 380, 30 miles east of San Antonio,
is halfway between Socorro and Carrizozo in the town of Bingham,
New Mexico. The rock shop is the gateway to the world famous
Blanchard mines which have produced some of the finest minerals
in the southwestern United States. The mines produce Fluorite,
Barite, Galena, Linarite, Brochantite, Amethyst and Smoky Quartz,
as well as more than 80 other minerals. This is without a doubt
the finest collecting area in New Mexico. Besides collecting
at the Blanchard mines, field trips are run to other great collecting
areas in the state. These trips are kept to a maximum of 4 people
and are for the serious collector. We are happy to provide information
on other mines and collecting areas throughout the state to rock
hounds, free of charge. Contact us at: (505) 423-3235
- Border Rock Shop - 980
East Motel Blvd., Lordsburg, NM (505) 542-3724
- Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum - Located
on the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway (NM State Highway
14) and housed in the Casa Grande Trading Post, this unique exhibit
has antiques from the area, mining artifacts from the Cerrillos
Mining District, displays on mining, rocks, minerals, bottles
and dioramas. Samples of Cerrillos turquoise are available. Admission
$2, group rates are available, open daily. Located at Waldo and
3rd streets in Cerrillos, NM
(505) 438-3008 brownp52@worldnet.att.net
- City of Rocks State Park -
Incredible park! The coolest rocks you will ever see, said to
be made from centuries-old lava! Some 50 feet high! Bring the
family, a picnic lunch and spend the day climbing around some
incredible boulders! Located 28 miles northwest of Deming,
NM via US 180 and NM 61 (505) 536-2800
- Geology Museum - Moon rocks, minerals and fossils. Northrop Hall,
UNM Campus. Albuquerque, NM (505) 277-4204
- Geronimo Springs Museum -
Local history and minerals from prehistoric times to present
day! Great collection of Mimbres pottery. Truth or Consequences,
the show, memorabilia. Truth or Consequences, NM (505) 894-6600
- Granite Gap Mine- Explore the mysteries of geology, by going 800
feet into a mountain! Dubbed the "Granite Gap Ghost Mining
Camp", this is the site of an old silver mine. It's a great
place to go rock collecting, treasure hunting for legendary missing
gold bars and mine touring! Open to camping, hiking, cave exploring,
gold panning, even learn how to carve your own arrowheads! Granite
Gap is open October 1 to June 1, 9am-5pm, Wednesday through Sunday
and by appointment at other times. Located in Southwestern NM,
west of Lordsburg and north of Rodeo, NM (505) 854-3225
- Harding Pagmatite Mine -
Rock and mineral collectors! This particular mine played an important
role in WWII and contributed to the establishment of geological
theory. Today it is used as an important outdoor laboratory for
geology students throughout the country. Release form are needed
before heading out for this adventure. Maintained by the University
of New Mexico. Mine is located 1 mile N of Dixon, NM (505)
277-4204
- Meteoritics Institute - One of the largest meteorite collection the the
United States! Located in Albuquerque at the UNM campus.
(505) 277-2747
- Miles Museum
- Displays the mineral
collection of Fred Miles and other samples. These minerals come
from all over the country and Mexico. Visit this museum at the
Eastern New Mexico University Roosevelt Hall. Experts
will give presentations on fossils and minerals to scheduled
tour groups. Call today! Portales, NM (505) 562-2498
- Mineralogical Museum - Fossils and thousands of mineral specimens.
Located at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
in Socorro, NM (505) 835-5420
- New Mexico Museum of Mining - The history of uranium and other geological
exhibits. Also, Indian artifacts from the area. Located in Grants,
NM (800) 748-2142. Visit the Grants
Chamber of Commerce web site for more information.
- New Mexico Museum of Natural History
and Science - Fossils,
12 billion years of natural history. Dinosaurs, "time machine,"
living forest and a 3,000 gallon, shark-infested aquarium, rumbling
volcano, ice age cave. Dynamax Theater, Natureworks and gift
shop. Located at 1801 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque,
NM (505) 841-2800
- New Mexico Rock Club Links - click here to get to the following
web sites:
Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Club in Albuquerque
Chaparral rock hounds in Roswell
Clovis Gem and Mineral Society in Clovis
Deming Gem and Mineral Society in Deming
El Paso Gem and Mineral Society (in Texas, but close enough to
be one of our own)
Grant County Rolling Stones Gem and Mineral Society in Silver
City
Lea Lap Rock and Mineral Club in Hobbs
Los Alamos Geological Society in Los Alamos
Roadrunner Gem and Mineral Club in Carlsbad
Rockamania Gem and Mineral Society in Lordsburg
San Juan County Gem and Mineral Society in Farmington/Bloomfield
Rio Rancho rock hounds in Rio Rancho
The New Mexico Faceters Guild in Albuquerque
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club in Las Cruces
Sierra Rock Club in Truth or Consequences
- New Mexico Rock, Mineral and Gem Dealers
Sunshine Studio operated by Arch and Challis Thiesson
The Rock Hut ; operated by Jim and Irene Witmer (actually in
Colorado now)
Carousel Gems and Minerals operated by Betty and Al Tlush
Ancient Stone Works operated by Jack and Mary Gentry
Roadrunner Minerals operated by Phil and Eleanor Bove
Gem Quest operated by Dennis Ott and Eileen Sanchez
- Point of Rocks - On the Santa
Fe National Historic Trail, rocks and mineral collecting,
historic Indian campsites, history, graves and wagon ruts! Located
34 miles east of Springer, NM (505) 485-2473
- Rockhound Roundup - Held the second weekend of March and
sponsored by the Deming Gem and Mineral Society, the annual Rockhound
Round-up will be at the Southwestern New Mexico State Fairgrounds
(southeast of Deming and west of Las Cruces) from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. daily. The event entertains more than 5,000 visitors with
displays and rock-related events. Two buildings house more than
40 dealers, and 30 outside "tailgaters." One can browse
for hours viewing gems, jewelry, tools, equipment, findings,
rock slabs and crafted items. Artisan might be wire wrapping
jewelry, making a chain, silversmithing, cabochon polishing,
doing scrimshaw or stringing beads. Rough rock may be purchased
for crafting spheres, clocks, beads, cabochons or inlay work.
Mineral collectors avidly pore over hundreds of beautiful, rare
specimens for choice additions to their own collections. Geodes
are for sale with free on-site sawing available. A crowd can
be found engrossed at the saws, as the crystal-lined cavity or
the agate-banded core is revealed. If you like rocks, you can't
miss this event! Southwestern New Mexico State Fairgrounds. Deming,
NM (505) 546-0348
- Rockhound State Park - This park offers rock collecting at
its best! Located on the rugged west slope of the Little Florida
(pronounced flo rita) Mountains, near Deming, N.M., Rockhound
State Park is a favorite for "rock hounds" because
of the abundant agates and quartz crystals found throughout the
park. Treasures range from varieties of silica minerals, quartz
crystals, chalcedony, Agate and common opal. Visitors may take
up to 15 pounds of rock for their personal collection. Visitors
Center, all facilities for camping, hiking, picnicking and wildlife
viewing. Deming, NM (505) 546-6182
- Royal Scepter Mineral Museum -
and rock shop. Come and meet generational "rock hounders"
and see their collections. Gift shop, too! Located at 1805 Little
Walnut Road in Silver City, NM (toll free 877) 626-9001
- Turquoise Museum -
Enter this exhibit through the mine tunnel! Spectacular,
rare specimens from around the world. History, myths, and consumer
tips on buying what is natural and authentic. Gift shop. Located
at 2107 Central NW, Albuquerque, NM (505) 247-8650
|