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Case Quarries: Beryl & Aquamarine Rockhounding in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut

Updated July 2026

The Case Quarries are one of only three sites in Connecticut where mineral collecting on state land is legally sanctioned, set in the pegmatites of Meshomasic State Forest. The dumps and pegmatite have produced blue and green gem beryl, some crystals reaching 15 cm, along with columbite, monazite, muscovite, smoky quartz, and garnet. Worked for feldspar in the 1930s, the site is now managed by CT DEEP for permitted educational collecting. Reported finds include beryl, aquamarine, columbite, feldspar, muscovite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Case Quarries photos

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

1 photo

Portland Reservoir in Meshomasic State Forest, Portland, Connecticut, the setting of the Case Quarries

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region
State: Connecticut
Postcode: 06480
Coordinates: 41.63500, -72.61500

Geology at Case Quarries

This spot sits on Portland Arkose, mapped as arkose and siltstone that formed roughly 200 to 175 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: Portland Arkose
Age: 200–175 Ma (Early Jurassic)
Rock types: arkose and siltstone
Elevation: 200 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 Case Quarries

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 84°F in midsummer and 36°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HARTFORD BRAINARD FLD station (7 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 Case Quarries

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 Case Quarries.

Across the state line from Case Quarries

Case Quarries is close enough to the Connecticut border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Case Quarries FAQ

Where is Case Quarries?+

Case Quarries is in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut, at 41.63500, -72.61500.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Case Quarries?+

Case Quarries is reported to produce Beryl, Aquamarine, Columbite, Feldspar, Muscovite, Smoky Quartz, Garnet, Monazite.

Is collecting allowed at Case Quarries?+

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 Case Quarries?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit Case Quarries?+

The most comfortable months at Case Quarries are March to November.

How do I get to Case Quarries?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.63500, -72.61500 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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