Where to Find Datolite in New Jersey

New Jersey datolite is a classic Triassic basalt mineral from the Watchung Mountains of Passaic, Bergen, and Essex counties. Paterson and Prospect Park quarries produced pale-green-to-yellow datolite as glassy prismatic crystals in basalt amygdules, often with prehnite, pectolite, calcite, and quartz associations. The Bergen Hill cuts (long built over) yielded the famous datolite specimens of the 19th century. Active and recently active trap-rock quarries (Great Notch, Upper Montclair, Summit) continue to surface specimens through club access. Datolite is fragile and brittle, so wrap individual crystals and avoid acid cleaning that attacks the calcium-borate composition.

Best counties for datolite in New Jersey

Ranked by the number of mapped datolite spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.

Every datolite spot we track in New Jersey

Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.

Spot	County	Minerals	Coordinates	Access
Bergen CountySoldier Hill Road	Bergen County	Agate Amethyst Carnelian Chalcedony Datolite Natrolite Common Opal Fire Opal	40.9654, -74.0542	Public
The PalisadesLong Path	Bergen County	Banded Agate Albite Amethyst Analcime Apatite Calcite Datolite Epidote +6 more	40.9500, -73.9202	Public
Bergen Hill by Hudson RiverNew Jersey Turnpike Newark Bay Extension	Hudson County	Banded Agate Albite Amethyst Analcime Apatite Calcite Datolite Epidote +6 more	40.7108, -74.0543	Public
General Area (Hudson/Passaic)New Street	Hudson County	Banded Agate Albite Amethyst Analcime Apatite Calcite Datolite Epidote +6 more	40.6634, -74.1099	Public
Snake HillLaurel Hill Road	Hudson County	Banded Agate Albite Amethyst Analcime Apatite Calcite Datolite Epidote +6 more	40.7581, -74.0893	Public
Lambertville QuarryDaniel Bray Highway	Hunterdon County	Axinite Datolite	40.3931, -74.9597	Public
Mt. GilboaDaniel Bray Highway	Hunterdon County	Axinite Prehnite Epidote Datolite Tourmaline Actinolite Zeolite	40.3898, -74.9562	Public
HaledonValley View Road	Passaic County	Agate Datolite Pyrolusite Goethite	40.9365, -74.1943	Public
Pompton LakesI 287	Passaic County	Banded Agate Amethyst Barite Calcite Chalcedony Cuprite Datolite Dolomite +7 more	41.0054, -74.3071	Public
Prospect Park QuarryNorth 16th Street	Passaic County	Banded Agate Amethyst Barite Calcite Chalcedony Cuprite Datolite Dolomite +7 more	40.9404, -74.1748	Public
SomervilleChimney Rock Road	Somerset County	Agate Albite Datolite Copper Silver Quartz Serpentine	40.5847, -74.5672	Public
Union CountyValley Road	Somerset County	Agate Apophyllite Albite Bornite Chalcedony Datolite Galena Hematite +1 more	40.6602, -74.4091	Public

Before you go

Read the datolite identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Datolite in the encyclopedia.

Datolite in New Jersey FAQ

Where can you find datolite in New Jersey?+

The mapped spots concentrate in Hudson County County, Passaic County County, and Bergen County County. Known collecting areas include Paterson quarries (Passaic County), Prospect Park (Passaic County), and Great Notch quarry (Essex County). Every spot on this page appears on the map above with coordinates and access notes.

How many datolite spots are mapped in New Jersey?+

12 spots across 5 counties. The RockHoundR app keeps the same spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, and your saved finds.

Is it legal to collect datolite in New Jersey?+

Hand collecting of common rocks and minerals in small amounts for personal use is generally allowed on BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are closed to collecting. 12 of the 12 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.

More minerals to hunt in New Jersey

Hunt datolite in New Jersey with the map in your pocket

RockHoundR puts these spots on an offline map with BLM and Forest Service overlays, geology layers, and a log for your finds.