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All the United States Idaho Saint Maries Emerald Creek Garnet Area
AO Edited

Emerald Creek Garnet Area

Star garnets are so rare that you can only find them in two places on Earth—here, you can dig for them.

Saint Maries, Idaho

Added By
Barbara Woolsey
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Raw garnets from Emerald Creek Garnet Area.   William Mullins, Alamy
Raw garnets from Emerald Creek Garnet Area.   William Mullins, Alamy
Polished garnets from the Emerald Creek Garnet Area.   William Mullins, Alamy
Raw garnets from Emerald Creek Garnet Area.   William Mullins, Alamy
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About

Known as the Gem State, Idaho boasts over 240 minerals that have been identified within its borders. The most significant one, though, is its state gem, the star garnet. Star garnets get their name from the four- or six-pointed star that appears to hover upon the surface when they are properly cut and polished. The phenomenon, known as asterism, is caused by rutile (a mineral consisting of titanium dioxide) needle formations within the stone creating a stunning optical display. These gems can only be found in only two places on earth: India and the Idaho Panhandle.

Near the scenic town of Saint Maries, the Emerald Creek Garnet Area offers anyone the chance to dig for star garnets and keep them. The site opens annually on Memorial Day weekend, attracting gem hunters from across the globe.

The first step in sourcing the star garnets from the earth is collecting gravel in buckets. Then, aided by sluice boxes, visitors use running water to sift and separate out the stones. Eventually, the distinct dark purple, sometimes crimson hue of the gems makes them easy to spot against the gray river rocks.

Each organized mining session lasts for three hours. During that total duration, visitors can go through the process as many times as they like. What makes on-site digging such a fun family activity is that finding multiple star garnets is relatively easy. You can take home as many of the gems as you can find up to a five-pound limit.

Related Tags

Mining Rocks Gems And Jewels Minerals

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Permits can be purchased online here. They are awarded on a rolling 90-day calendar.

Community Contributors

Added By

barbarawoolsey

Edited By

TurdFergusen, traceywilson

  • TurdFergusen
  • traceywilson

Published

October 18, 2024

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Sources
  • https://stmarieschamber.org/emerald-creek-garnets/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idaho_Panhandle_National_Forests
  • https://stmarieschamber.org/emerald-creek-garnets/
  • https://visitidaho.org/travel-tips/digging-for-star-garnets-with-kids/
Emerald Creek Garnet Area
Emerald Creek Recreation Site
Saint Maries, Idaho, 83861
United States
46.995972, -116.364652
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Pulaski Tunnel Trail

Wallace, Idaho

miles away

North Idaho Trading Company

Wallace, Idaho

miles away

Center of the Universe Manhole

Wallace, Idaho

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Idaho

Idaho

United States

Places 67
Stories 12

Nearby Places

Pulaski Tunnel Trail

Wallace, Idaho

miles away

North Idaho Trading Company

Wallace, Idaho

miles away

Center of the Universe Manhole

Wallace, Idaho

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Idaho

Idaho

United States

Places 67
Stories 12

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