Philadelphia: Hematite & Pyrite Rockhounding in Jefferson County, New York

Updated June 2026

Philadelphia is a mapped rockhounding spot in Jefferson County, New York. Reported finds include hematite, pyrite, siderite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Jefferson County
State: New York
Nearest road: Sand Street
Postcode: 13673
Coordinates: 44.15460, -75.70935

Geology at Philadelphia

This spot sits on Biotite and/or hornblende granite gneiss, mapped as gneiss that formed roughly 1600 to 1000 million years ago. Metamorphic terrain like this commonly hosts vein and replacement mineralization, and old workings typically mark the productive zones.

Mapped unit: Biotite and/or hornblende granite gneiss
Age: 1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: gneiss
Elevation: 500 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 Philadelphia

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 80°F in midsummer and 29°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 11°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WATERTOWN station (15 mi away).

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 Philadelphia

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 Philadelphia.

Philadelphia FAQ

Where is Philadelphia?+

Philadelphia is in Jefferson County, New York, at 44.15460, -75.70935. Nearest road: Sand Street.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Philadelphia?+

Philadelphia is reported to produce Hematite, Pyrite, Siderite.

Is collecting allowed at Philadelphia?+

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 Philadelphia?+

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 Philadelphia?+

The most comfortable months at Philadelphia are April to November.

How do I get to Philadelphia?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.15460, -75.70935 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Sand Street.

More rockhounding in New York

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Open Philadelphia on the map

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