More Geologic Goodies on South Carolina

Mineral Resources of South Carolina

South Carolina's mineral resources are mainly crushed stone, sand & gravel, various clays and some industrial metals.

Where to Find Gems in South Carolina

Abbeville County: Zircon, garnet and corundum are available at "pay to dig" sites. At "pay to dig'' sites permission ·is needed.

Anderson County: Beryl, zircon and amethyst can be had at "pay to dig" sites.

Cherokee County: Near the town of Cowpens and the town of Gaffney off of US 85 the gem hunter can find garnet, tourmaline and quartz.

Greenville County: The gem kyanite along with smoky and clear quartz, sillimanite, garnet and tourmaline can all be found at "pay to dig" sites .

McCormick County: Near the town of Iva the gem hunter may find beryl, and golden beryl at "pay to dig" areas.

Oconee County: Gems to be found are cats eye, sillimanite, quartz and garnet.

Spartanburg County: Garnet, tourmaline, and quartz.

York County: Zircon, corundum, garnet, tourmaline, and quartz.

Geological Societies in South Carolina

• Grand Strand Fossil Club 519 7th Avenue South, Surfside Beach, SC 29575

• Aiken - Aiken Gem and Mineral Society 3424 Meadow Dr. (29801) Meetings: Last Fri., 8:00 pm USC-Aiken, Room 200 Science Hall 171 University Pkwy
• Central - Pendleton District Gem and Mineral Society 124 Hedge St. (29630) Meetings: 3rd Tue., 7:00 pm Blue Ridge Art Assc., Seneca
• Charleston - Low Country Gem and Mineral Society 2149 Glendale Dr(29414) Meetings: 2nd Thur. American Legion Post 166 116 Howerthru Rd., Goose Creek Updated 8/17/97
• Columbia - South Carolina Earth Antiquities Society PO Box 7712 Columbia, SC 29202 E-mail contact: Gary Ogg Meetings: 3rd Sun. at 5:00 PM Place: McKissick Museum at the University of SC Updated 7/22/97
• Columbia - Columbia Gem and Mineral Society PO Box 6333 (29260) Meetings: 3rd Mon, 7:15 pm McKissick Museum, 816 Bull St
• Greenville - Western South Carolina Gem and Mineral Society 302 Shannon Dr. (29615-1815) Meetings: 2nd Mon, 7:30 pm Sears Shelter 100 E. Park Avenue, Greenville
• Johns Island - Charles Towne Mineral and Lapidary Club PO Box 902 Johns Island, SC 29455 Meetings: 3rd Fri., 7:00 pm Fort Johnson Marine Resources Labratory Updated Nov 1, 1997
• Spartanburg - Pacolet Gem and Mineral Society PO Box 674 (29304) Meetings: 2nd and 4th Tue., 7:30 pm TW Edwards Recreation Center Pacolet

S.C.'s Geologic History

Resources for this website included pamphlets from the various places we visited and the book Carolina Rocks! by Carolyn Hanna Murphy

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