Where to Find Rutile
41 mapped rutile spots across 9 regions. Pick a region for its local guide, or browse every spot below. Rutile is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. The map below shows where collectors most often find it on legal public ground.
Every mapped rutile spot
Best spotBowens River and tributariesCherokee County, South CarolinaPublic access · Corundum, Garnet, Sapphire +6
Best spotBurnsvilleYancey County, North CarolinaPublic access · Albite, Amazonite, Apatite +13
Henry mining districtSevier County, UtahPublic access · Hematite, Limonite, Pyrolusite +13- Clifton mining districtTooele County, UtahPublic access · Agate, Azurite, Dolomite +11
- FranklinMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Amethyst, Bronzite, Epidote +11
Crowder's MountainGaston County, North CarolinaPermission required · Barite, Chalcopyrite, Corundum +10- Higdon MountainMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Actinolite, Chalcedony, Chromite +10
- SteelvilleCrawford County, MissouriPublic access · Allophane, Amethyst, Azurite +9
- Willis MountainBuckingham County, VirginiaPublic access · Kyanite, Manganese, Apatite +9
- Bingham CanyonSalt Lake County, UtahPublic access · Actinolite, Barite, Bismuth +8
- Cowee CreekMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire +8
- Emerald Hollow MineAlexander County, North CarolinaPublic access · Emerald, Aquamarine, Sapphire +8
- Clubb MountainGaston County, North CarolinaPublic access · Corundum, Lazulite, Kyanite +7
- East Tintic MountainsUtah County, UtahPublic access · Albite, Alunite, Bornite +7
- Hiddenite (area 2)Alexander County, North CarolinaPublic access · Aquamarine, Beryl, Quartz +7
- Anson CountyAnson County, North CarolinaPublic access · Gold, Calcite, Garnet +5
- Clearwater & Herse ValleyAiken County, South CarolinaPublic access · Amethyst, Chalcedony, Ilmenite +5
- GalaxCarroll County, VirginiaPublic access · Green Apatite, Chalcopyrite, Pyrite +5
- LynchburgCampbell County, VirginiaPublic access · Virginia Greenstone, Calcite, Kyanite +5
- MercurTooele County, UtahPublic access · Cinnabar, Gold, Orpiment +5
- Ashland MillHanover County, VirginiaPublic access · Mica, Quartz, Moonstone +4
- Brant LakeWarren County, New YorkPublic access · Apatite, Calcite, Diopside +4
- MonetaBedford County, VirginiaPublic access · Garnet, Pyrite, Quartz +4
- Chatuge LakeTowns County, GeorgiaPublic access · Corundum, Garnet, Kyanite +2
- Hall Creek and Silver CreekBurke County, North CarolinaPublic access · Corundum, Diamond, Pyrope Garnet +2
- Hanks KnobCarroll County, VirginiaPublic access · Garnet, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite +2
- LancasterLancaster County, PennsylvaniaPublic access · Dogtooth Calcite, Fluorite, Hematite +2
- Leigh MountainPrince Edward County, VirginiaPublic access · Garnet, Kyanite, Rutile +2
- Little Scaly MountainMacon County, North CarolinaPublic access · Asbestos, Corundum, Rutile +2
- Moses RockSan Juan County, UtahPermission required · Arizona Ruby Garnet, Chlorite, Corundum +2
- White PlainsSurry County, North CarolinaPublic access · Beryl, Columbite, Quartz +2
- Poplar SpringsSurry County, North CarolinaPublic access · Rutile, Limonite, Quartz +1
- AirpointRoanoke County, VirginiaPublic access · Unakite, Apatite, Rutile
- AlexisLincoln County, North CarolinaPublic access · Kyanite, Lazulite, Rutile
- AvondaleChester County, PennsylvaniaPublic access · Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Rutile
- Hard Labor CreekWalton County, GeorgiaPublic access · Corundum, Rutile, Pink Sapphire
- Henderson PointVance County, North CarolinaPublic access · Quartz, Rutile, Sillimanite
- RoselandNelson County, VirginiaPublic access · Blue Quartz, Ilmenite, Rutile
- Skinner MineDuval County, FloridaPermission required · Ilmenite, Rutile, Zircon
- Piney CreekAlleghany County, North CarolinaPublic access · Manganese, Rutile
- Fox MountainIredell County, North CarolinaPublic access · Rutile
Top regions for rutile
United States
41 spots · 9 regionsRutile rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find rutile?+
North Carolina, Virginia, Utah have the highest concentrations of rutile in this list. Quality and access vary by area, so open the linked region pages for a detailed view.
How many rutile rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
41 mapped spots across 9 regions. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect rutile on public land?+
In the U.S., casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like rutile 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. Rules differ by country and region, so always check with the managing agency before a trip.
How do I identify rutile in the field?+
Field identification of rutile 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 rutile on the map
Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.
