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Spear: Beryl & Garnet Rockhounding in Avery County, North Carolina

Updated June 2026

Spear is a mapped rockhounding spot in Avery County, North Carolina. Reported finds include beryl, garnet, epidote, mica. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Map showing Spear in Avery County, North Carolina

Quick details

Access
Public area
Nearest road
Gusher Knob Road
Postcode
28777

Geology at Spear

This spot sits on Quartz Diorite to Granodiorite, mapped as granodiorite and quartz diorite that formed roughly 395 to 390 million years ago. Granitic rock like this is where pegmatite pockets tend to occur, the coarse-crystal settings that typically carry beryl, tourmaline, mica, and feldspar.

Mapped unit
Quartz Diorite to Granodiorite
Age
395–390 Ma (Middle Devonian)
Rock types
granodiorite and quartz diorite
Elevation
2,970 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 Spear

Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 81°F in midsummer and 44°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 23°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SPRUCE PINE 4 ENE station (3 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:

Found at Spear

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 Spear.

Across the state line from Spear

Spear 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.

Spear FAQ

Where is Spear?+
Spear is in Avery County, North Carolina, at 35.98222, -82.00070. Nearest road: Gusher Knob Road.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Spear?+
Spear is reported to produce Beryl, Garnet, Epidote, Mica.
Is collecting allowed at Spear?+
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 Spear?+
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 Spear?+
The most comfortable months at Spear are February to December.
How do I get to Spear?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 35.98222, -82.00070 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Gusher Knob Road.

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