Where to Find Nephrite in the United States
5 mapped nephrite spots across 3 U.S. states. Nephrite is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. The map below shows where collectors most often find it on legal public ground.
Learn about nephrite: properties & identification →Map showing where to find nephrite across the United States, with 5 mapped spots
Top states for nephrite
States ranked by number of nephrite spots in our database. States in bold link to a focused nephrite-in-state list.
Every nephrite spot we track
Sorted by state and county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eel River GravelsDos Rios Road | Mendocino County |
| 39.7140, -123.3526 | Public |
| Leech Lake AreaLeech Lake Road | Mendocino County |
| 39.9177, -123.0868 | Public |
| Big Sur areaLos Burros Road | Monterey County |
| 35.8938, -121.4523 | Public |
| Sugarloaf Mt. | Curry County |
| 42.8375, -124.2402 | Public |
| LanderSquaw Creek Road | Fremont County | 42.8234, -108.7926 | Public |
Nephrite rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find nephrite in the U.S.?+
California, Oregon, Wyoming have the highest concentrations of nephrite in this list. Each state's quality and access varies — open the linked state pages for a detailed view.
How many nephrite rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
5 mapped spots across 3 states. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect nephrite on public land?+
Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like nephrite is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always check with the managing agency before a trip.
How do I identify nephrite in the field?+
Field identification of nephrite comes down to color, hardness, fracture, and luster. The RockHoundR app links to geology details for each spot to help narrow down what you might be picking up.
Hunt nephrite on the map
Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.
