Where to Find Smoky Quartz in North Carolina
North Carolina has 10 mapped collecting spots that report smoky quartz, spread across 8 counties. The largest share sits in Alexander County with 3 spots. 9 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible, and 1 is a fee-dig site.
Spot list checked against source data on April 1, 2026.
Every smoky quartz spot we track in North Carolina
Emerald Hollow MineAlexander County, North CarolinaPublic access · Emerald, Aquamarine, Sapphire +8- UnakaCherokee County, North CarolinaPublic access · Staurolite, Agate, Epidote +4
- Stice Shoal Lake DamCleveland County, North CarolinaPublic access · Aquamarine, Beryl, Emerald +3
- InezWarren County, North CarolinaPublic access · Amethyst, Beryl, Lepidolite +2
- HiddeniteAlexander County, North CarolinaPublic access · Emerald, Quartz, Smoky Quartz +1
Reel MineLincoln County, North CarolinaFee dig · Amethyst, Beryl, Quartz +1- Big CreekStokes County, North CarolinaPublic access · Garnet, Moonstone, Smoky Quartz
- Montgomery CountyMontgomery County, North CarolinaPublic access · Quartz, Smoky Quartz
- Yadkin RiverAlexander County, North CarolinaPublic access · Quartz, Smoky Quartz
- Pink Beds Picnic AreaTransylvania County, North CarolinaPublic access · Smoky Quartz
Best counties for smoky quartz in North Carolina
Ranked by the number of mapped smoky quartz spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.
Before you go
Read the smoky quartz identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Smoky Quartz in the encyclopedia.
Smoky Quartz in North Carolina FAQ
Where can you find smoky quartz in North Carolina?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Alexander County, Cherokee County, and Cleveland County. Every spot on this page is on the map, and each spot's own page has its coordinates and access notes.
How many smoky quartz spots are mapped in North Carolina?+
10 spots across 8 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 smoky quartz in North Carolina?+
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. 9 of the 10 mapped spots here sit on land marked public, and 1 is a fee-dig operation where you pay for access and keep what you find. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.
Where else to find smoky quartz
More minerals to hunt in North Carolina
Hunt smoky quartz in North Carolina 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.
