Best spot

Diamond Hill Mine: Amethyst & Smoky Quartz Rockhounding in Abbeville County, South Carolina

Updated July 2026

Diamond Hill is the most dependable place in South Carolina to dig the state's official gemstone, amethyst, along with clear and smoky quartz scepters and crystal-lined pockets in the quartz veins. It sits in the Antreville and Due West amethyst district, the same belt that produced the famous cluster sent to the Smithsonian. The site is open year round and lets diggers keep what they find, which is why it is the state's signature crystal locality. Reported finds include amethyst, smoky quartz, beryl, garnet, epidote. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Diamond Hill Mine photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Historic downtown Abbeville, Abbeville County, South Carolina, the county that hosts the Diamond Hill amethyst mine near Antreville

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Abbeville County
State: South Carolina
Nearest road: Diamond Mine Road
Postcode: 29620
Coordinates: 34.27026, -82.57376

Geology at Diamond Hill Mine

This spot sits on Gneissic granite of Antreville pluton, mapped as gneiss that formed roughly 485 to 420 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: Gneissic granite of Antreville pluton
Age: 485–420 Ma (Ordovician to Silurian)
Rock types: gneiss
Elevation: 640 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 Diamond Hill Mine

Best months: August to June. Typical highs run 91°F in midsummer and 54°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 32°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CALHOUN FALLS station (12 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 Diamond Hill Mine

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 Diamond Hill Mine.

Across the state line from Diamond Hill Mine

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

Diamond Hill Mine FAQ

Where is Diamond Hill Mine?+

Diamond Hill Mine is in Abbeville County, South Carolina, at 34.27026, -82.57376. Nearest road: Diamond Mine Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Diamond Hill Mine?+

Diamond Hill Mine is reported to produce Amethyst, Smoky Quartz, Beryl, Garnet, Epidote.

Is collecting allowed at Diamond Hill Mine?+

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 Diamond Hill Mine?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit Diamond Hill Mine?+

The most comfortable months at Diamond Hill Mine are August to June.

How do I get to Diamond Hill Mine?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 34.27026, -82.57376 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Diamond Mine Road.

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