Where to Find Sphalerite in Tennessee
Tennessee has 8 mapped collecting spots that report sphalerite, spread across 8 counties. The largest share sits in Bradley County County with 1 spot. 8 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible.
Map of 8 sphalerite collecting spots in Tennessee
Best counties for sphalerite in Tennessee
Ranked by the number of mapped sphalerite spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.
- Bradley County1 spot
- Claiborne County1 spot
- Greene County1 spot
- Jefferson County1 spot
- Monroe County1 spot
- Sevier County1 spot
- Unicoi County1 spot
- Union County1 spot
Every sphalerite spot we track in Tennessee
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ClevelandOld Chattanooga Pike Southwest | Bradley County | 35.1124, -84.9213 | Public | |
| Straight Creek MinesStraight Creek Road | Claiborne County | 36.3892, -83.6427 | Public | |
| GreenevilleCedar Avenue | Greene County | 36.1795, -82.8651 | Public | |
| Mossy CreekHicks Road | Jefferson County |
| 36.1106, -83.4770 | Public |
| SweetwaterSweetwater Vonore Road | Monroe County | 35.6058, -84.3866 | Public | |
| Nun's CoveSharp Road | Sevier County | 35.8722, -83.4156 | Public | |
| Bumpus Cove mining districtBumpus Cove Road | Unicoi County | 36.1518, -82.4898 | Public | |
| New Prospect MineHelms Ferry Road | Union County |
| 36.3982, -83.8414 | Public |
Before you go
Read the sphalerite identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Sphalerite in the encyclopedia.
Sphalerite in Tennessee FAQ
Where can you find sphalerite in Tennessee?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Bradley County County, Claiborne County County, and Greene County County. Every spot on this page appears on the map above with coordinates and access notes.
How many sphalerite spots are mapped in Tennessee?+
8 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 sphalerite in Tennessee?+
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. 8 of the 8 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.
Where else to find sphalerite
More minerals to hunt in Tennessee
Hunt sphalerite in Tennessee 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.
