Betts Mine: Rhodonite Rockhounding in Hampshire County, Massachusetts

Quick details

Access

Paid / fee dig

County

Hampshire County

State

Massachusetts

Nearest road

Prospect Street

Postcode

01070

Coordinates

42.49376, -72.94572

Geology at Betts Mine

This spot sits on Hawley Formation, mapped as amphibolite, greenstone, and schist that formed roughly 440 to 425 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit

Hawley Formation

Age

440–425 Ma (Llandovery to Wenlock)

Rock types

amphibolite, greenstone, and schist

Elevation

1,430 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 Betts Mine

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 76°F in midsummer and 29°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 10°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, E HAWLEY station (7 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Pay-to-dig site

This is a fee-dig location. Hours, prices, and what you can keep vary by operator. Call ahead before driving out.

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 Betts Mine

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

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