Towns County: Amethyst Rockhounding in Towns County, Georgia
Updated June 2026
Towns County, in the far northeastern mountains, is one of Georgia's better-known sources of gem-quality amethyst, documented at several localities including the Garrett Mine near Titus. The purple quartz occurs in quartz veins and weathers loose into the surrounding soil and stream gravels. The surrounding Blue Ridge schists and pegmatites also yield clear and smoky quartz. Reported finds include amethyst. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Towns County photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Towns County in Towns County, Georgia
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Towns County
- State
- Georgia
- Nearest road
- Fodder Creek Road
- Postcode
- 30546
- Coordinates
- 34.91841, -83.74088
Geology at Towns County
This spot sits on Biotite Gneiss, mapped as biotite gneiss that formed roughly 4600 to 250 million years ago. Metamorphic terrain like this typically carries quartz veins and sweats, and weathered crystals tend to end up in the soils and streams below.
- Mapped unit
- Biotite Gneiss
- Age
- 4600–250 Ma (Precambrian to Paleozoic)
- Rock types
- biotite gneiss
- Elevation
- 1,940 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 Towns County
Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 48°F in winter to 84°F in summer.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HAYESVILLE 1 NE station (10 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 Towns County
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 Towns County.
- Chatuge LakeTowns County, Georgia · 6 mi awayCorundum, Garnet, Kyanite
- Jack Branch & Shoal Branch AreaTowns County, Georgia · 8 mi awayAmethyst, Quartz
- Trap Rock GapUnion County, Georgia · 8 mi awayCorundum, Ruby
- Brasstown ChurchTowns County, Georgia · 9 mi awaySillimanite, Kyanite, Biotite
- Charlie’s CreekTowns County, Georgia · 10 mi awayAmethyst
- Hunter KnobTowns County, Georgia · 10 mi awayGraphite, Muscovite, Quartz
- Gumlog MountainUnion County, Georgia · 11 mi awayCorundum, Kyanite, Tourmaline
- Bean CreekWhite County, Georgia · 15 mi awayGold
Across the state line from Towns County
Towns County is close enough to the Georgia border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.
- Meyer’s Chapel & General AreaClay County, North Carolina · 7 mi awayCorundum
- ElfClay County, North Carolina · 7 mi awayCorundum, Amphibolite, Opal
- ElfClay County, North Carolina · 8 mi awayCorundum
- Shooting CreekClay County, North Carolina · 8 mi awayHyalite Opal Geode
- Chunky Gal MountainTop pick in North CarolinaClay County, North Carolina · 13 mi awayGarnet, Staurolite
- Chestnut KnobMacon County, North Carolina · 17 mi awayWhite Star Corundum
