Where to Find Sphalerite in Tennessee
Tennessee has 8 mapped collecting spots that report sphalerite, spread across 8 counties. 7 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible.
Every sphalerite spot we track in Tennessee
Best spotSweetwaterMonroe County, TennesseePermission required · Barite, Fluorite, Sphalerite
Bumpus Cove mining districtUnicoi County, TennesseePublic access · Anglesite, Chalcopyrite, Cerussite +3
Nun's CoveSevier County, TennesseePublic access · Calcite, Chert, Barite +1
Mossy CreekJefferson County, TennesseePublic access · Calamine, Smithsonite, Sphalerite
New Prospect MineUnion County, TennesseePublic access · Calamine, Smithsonite, Sphalerite
Straight Creek MinesClaiborne County, TennesseePublic access · Galena, Sphalerite
ClevelandBradley County, TennesseePublic access · Sphalerite
GreenevilleGreene County, TennesseePublic access · Sphalerite
Standout sphalerite spots in Tennessee
Hand-picked from the full list above, with the reason each one earns a trip.
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
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, Claiborne County, and Greene County. Every spot on this page is on the map, and each spot's own page has its 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. 7 of the 8 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.
