Where to Find Common Opal in North Carolina
3 mapped common opal rockhounding spots in North Carolina, across 2 counties. Common Opal is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. North Carolina has the deepest gem-mining tradition on the East Coast.
Map of 3 common opal rockhounding spots in North Carolina
Common Opal by county in North Carolina
Counties ranked by number of common opal spots in our database.
Every common opal spot in North Carolina
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps. Click a row for details.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ConcordShadowcrest Drive Southwest | Cabarrus County | 35.3619, -80.6279 | Public | |
| Cape Fear River and tributariesHijacked | Cumberland County | 35.1012, -78.8569 | Public | |
| Cumberland CountyFreedom Lane | Cumberland County | 34.9592, -78.9394 | Public |
Common Opal in North Carolina FAQ
Where can I find common opal in North Carolina?+
RockHoundR tracks 3 common opal spots in North Carolina, spread across 2 counties. The strongest concentration is in Cumberland County.
Is collecting common opal legal in North Carolina?+
Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like common opal is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in North Carolina, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.
What is the best common opal location in North Carolina?+
Cumberland County has the most common opal spots in our database for North Carolina. The full county breakdown is below — different counties produce different qualities and varieties.
Other states for common opal
Other minerals to find in North Carolina
- Quartz in North Carolina54
- Garnet in North Carolina43
- Amethyst in North Carolina20
- Gold in North Carolina20
- Corundum in North Carolina18
- Rutile in North Carolina17
- Beryl in North Carolina14
- Kyanite in North Carolina14
- Sapphire in North Carolina14
- Tourmaline in North Carolina14
- Agate in North Carolina13
- Aquamarine in North Carolina13
Hunt common opal in North Carolina on the map
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