Where to Find Spinel in the United States
5 mapped spinel spots across 3 U.S. states. Spinel is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. The map below shows where collectors most often find it on legal public ground.
Learn about spinel: properties & identification →Map showing where to find spinel across the United States, with 5 mapped spots
Top states for spinel
States ranked by number of spinel spots in our database. States in bold link to a focused spinel-in-state list.
Every spinel spot we track
Sorted by state and county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mine Hill (bornite)Iron Mountain Road | Morris County | 40.8866, -74.6050 | Public | |
| Higdon MountainForest Drive | Macon County |
| 35.1484, -83.2907 | Public |
| Moses Rock | San Juan County | 37.0840, -109.7329 | Public | |
| Park City mining districtComstock Mine Trail | Summit County | 40.6230, -111.5425 | Public | |
| Clayton PeakLackwaxen Lake Trail | Wasatch County |
| 40.5898, -111.5499 | Public |
Spinel rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find spinel in the U.S.?+
Utah, New Jersey, North Carolina have the highest concentrations of spinel in this list. Each state's quality and access varies — open the linked state pages for a detailed view.
How many spinel rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
5 mapped spots across 3 states. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect spinel on public land?+
Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like spinel 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 spinel in the field?+
Field identification of spinel 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 spinel on the map
Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.
