Where to Find Hematite in Missouri

Missouri hematite is concentrated in the Precambrian iron districts of southeast Missouri. The Pilot Knob and Iron Mountain mines in Iron County produced massive hematite-magnetite ore that fed the early American steel industry, and specular hematite (the bladed reflective variety) is still common on the old surface dumps. The Pea Ridge mine in Washington County yields hematite as a primary ore alongside magnetite. Smaller showings of botryoidal hematite turn up in the St. Francois Mountains. Specular hematite blades are the prize Missouri specimens; massive ore is more common but less display-grade.

Best counties for hematite in Missouri

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

Crawford County5 spots
Iron County3 spots
Cole County1 spot
Dent County1 spot
Franklin County1 spot
Phelps County1 spot

Every hematite spot we track in Missouri

Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.

Spot	County	Minerals	Coordinates	Access
Cole CountyMO BB	Cole County	Barite Calcite Cerussite Chalcopyrite Dolomite Hematite Galena Malachite +4 more	38.3686, -92.3916	Public
Copper Hill MineWatson Road	Crawford County	Azurite Barite Chalcopyrite Gypsum Hematite Malachite Marcasite Pyrite +1 more	38.1872, -91.1082	Public
Hinch Copper MineChristy Mine Road	Crawford County	Copper Cuprite Limonite Hematite Malachite Marcasite	38.0351, -91.1448	Public
ScotiaSanke Road	Crawford County	Azurite Goethite Hematite Malachite Pyrite Quartz	37.9870, -91.3391	Public
SteelvilleStoney Ridge Lane	Crawford County	Allophane Amethyst Azurite Dolomite Galena Goethite Hematite Malachite +4 more	38.0247, -91.2273	Public
SullivanFarris Road	Crawford County	Azurite Chalcocite Chalcopyrite Copper Cuprite Hematite Malachite Pyrite	38.1596, -91.1642	Public
Simmons MineSouth Sligo Street	Dent County	Hematite Quartz	37.6341, -91.5511	Public
Ruepple Iron MineSpring Oak Lane	Franklin County	Amethyst Goethite Hematite Marcasite Melanterite Pyrite Quartz Siderite +4 more	38.2708, -91.1408	Public
Cuthbertson MountainBerryman Road	Iron County	Hematite Pyrolusite Chalcopyrite Copper Epidote Garnet Malachite	37.5422, -90.6512	Public
GranitevilleCounty Road 96	Iron County	Actinolite Apatite Beryl Fluorite Galena Hematite Magnetite Orthoclase +2 more	37.6617, -90.6814	Public
Shepherd Mountain	Iron County	Fluorite Hematite Magnetite Quartz	37.6065, -90.6435	Public
Moselle Iron MinesCounty Road 7240	Phelps County	Amethyst Arsenopyrite Azurite Chalcopyrite Hematite Malachite Marcasite Pyrite +1 more	37.8346, -91.8288	Public

Before you go

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

Hematite in Missouri FAQ

Where can you find hematite in Missouri?+

The mapped spots concentrate in Crawford County County, Iron County County, and Cole County County. Known collecting areas include Pilot Knob (Iron County), Iron Mountain district (Iron County), and Pea Ridge mine area (Washington County). Every spot on this page appears on the map above with coordinates and access notes.

How many hematite spots are mapped in Missouri?+

12 spots across 6 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 hematite in Missouri?+

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.

Where else to find hematite

More minerals to hunt in Missouri

Hunt hematite in Missouri 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.