Ellendale: Golden Beryl & Green Beryl Rockhounding in Alexander County, North Carolina

Updated June 2026

Ellendale is a mapped rockhounding spot in Alexander County, North Carolina. Reported finds include golden beryl, green beryl, yellow beryl. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Alexander County
State: North Carolina
Nearest road: Lambert Creek Lane
Postcode: 28681
Coordinates: 35.94448, -81.24479

Geology at Ellendale

This spot sits on Biotite Gneiss and Schist, mapped as biotite gneiss, mica schist, and calc silicate rock that formed roughly 1000 to 485 million years ago. Metamorphic belts like this often host pegmatite dikes, the coarse-crystal bodies that typically carry beryl, tourmaline, and sheet mica.

Mapped unit: Biotite Gneiss and Schist
Age: 1000–485 Ma (Neoproterozoic to Cambrian)
Rock types: biotite gneiss, mica schist, and calc silicate rock
Elevation: 1,090 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 Ellendale

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 49°F in winter to 88°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, TAYLORSVILLE station (4 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.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

North Carolina Geological Survey
Nantahala/Pisgah National Forests
Emerald Hollow Mine (fee-dig operator)
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Ellendale

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 Ellendale.

Across the state line from Ellendale

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

Ellendale FAQ

Where is Ellendale?+

Ellendale is in Alexander County, North Carolina, at 35.94448, -81.24479. Nearest road: Lambert Creek Lane.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Ellendale?+

Ellendale is reported to produce Golden Beryl, Green Beryl, Yellow Beryl.

Is collecting allowed at Ellendale?+

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 Ellendale?+

A rock hammer, a pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses suit pegmatite ground. Work weathered zones and check dump piles; coarse crystals often sit in decomposed rock.

When is the best time to visit Ellendale?+

Ellendale is workable year-round.

How do I get to Ellendale?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 35.94448, -81.24479 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Lambert Creek Lane.

More rockhounding in North Carolina

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Open Ellendale on the map

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