Best spot

Italian Mountain: Lapis Lazuli & Grossular Garnet Rockhounding in Gunnison County, Colorado

Updated June 2026

Italian Mountain holds one of the few genuine lapis lazuli localities in the United States, a contact-metamorphic deposit in marble that has produced some of the largest North American lapis specimens. Grossular garnet, diopside, pyrite, and calcite occur in the same skarn. The site sits on open Gunnison National Forest land outside designated wilderness. Reported finds include lapis lazuli, grossular garnet, diopside, pyrite, calcite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Italian Mountain photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Polished lapis lazuli with pyrite, the deep blue stone found at Italian Mountain

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Gunnison County
State: Colorado
Coordinates: 38.94425, -106.76242

Geology at Italian Mountain

This spot sits on Minturn and Belden Fms, mapped as sandstone and shale that formed roughly 325 to 300 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit: Minturn and Belden Fms
Age: 325–300 Ma (Pennsylvanian)
Rock types: sandstone and shale
Elevation: 11,650 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Italian Mountain

Best months: May to October. Typical highs run 64°F in midsummer and 20°F in midwinter, with winter lows near -17°F. At about 11,650 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, TAYLOR PARK station (12 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Italian Mountain

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Italian Mountain.

Italian Mountain FAQ

Where is Italian Mountain?+

Italian Mountain is in Gunnison County, Colorado, at 38.94425, -106.76242.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Italian Mountain?+

Italian Mountain is reported to produce Lapis Lazuli, Grossular Garnet, Diopside, Pyrite, Calcite.

Is collecting allowed at Italian Mountain?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Italian Mountain?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses cover old mining-district ground. Stay out of shafts and adits; the best specimens typically come from dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Italian Mountain?+

The most comfortable months at Italian Mountain are May to October. At about 11,650 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Italian Mountain?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.94425, -106.76242 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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