Where to Find Sphene in the United States
9 mapped sphene spots across 6 U.S. states. Sphene is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. The map below shows where collectors most often find it on legal public ground.
Map showing where to find sphene across the United States, with 9 mapped spots
Top states for sphene
States ranked by number of sphene spots in our database. States in bold link to a focused sphene-in-state list.
Every sphene spot we track
Sorted by state and county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed Location (Magnet Cove area)AR 51 | Hot Spring County |
| 34.4615, -92.8812 | Public |
| Bear IslandChesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath | Montgomery County | 38.9740, -77.2027 | Public | |
| Black MountainSam Martin Trail #23 | Catron County | 33.3807, -108.2899 | Public | |
| East Branch Naamanm CreekBroomall Street | Delaware County | 39.8252, -75.4456 | Public | |
| AltaFlagstaff Mountain Trail | Salt Lake County | 40.5966, -111.6374 | Public | |
| Little CottonwoodLittle Cottonwood Road | Salt Lake County | 40.5702, -111.7135 | Public | |
| Brumley RidgeBrumley Ridge Trail | San Juan County | 38.4784, -109.3323 | Public | |
| Santaquin & Silver Lake mining districtsYankee Mine Road | Utah County |
| 40.5431, -111.6320 | Public |
| GassettsVermont Route 103 North | Windsor County | 43.3322, -72.6158 | Public |
Sphene rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find sphene in the U.S.?+
Utah, Arkansas, Maryland have the highest concentrations of sphene in this list. Each state's quality and access varies — open the linked state pages for a detailed view.
How many sphene rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
9 mapped spots across 6 states. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect sphene on public land?+
Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like sphene 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 sphene in the field?+
Field identification of sphene 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 sphene on the map
Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.
