Tools Needed for Digging for Quartz Crystals

Quartz crystals are found throughout the United States. Prized for their milky beauty, quartz crystals are a favorite among crystal buffs. You can search for crystals in plenty of places; though local conditions may vary, a few specific tools and pieces of equipment can make crystal hunting a fun, comfortable and safe experience for everyone.

  1. Clothing and Boots

    • Digging for crystals is dirty business. In many places known for crystal hunting, such as areas of Arkansas, thick, red clay hides tremendous beauties. When crystal hunting, wear old clothes --- overalls, in particular --- that you don't mind getting dirty. Of course, long-sleeved shirts and hats are advisable in sunny areas as well. Sturdy shoes or boots to protect and support the ankles and feet are important because most crystal hunting takes place in rugged terrain. Also wear thick work gloves to avoid blisters from digging.

    Transportation, Cleaning and Storage

    • When you find a fist-sized quartz crystal, you'll want a safe way to transport it home for cleaning. An assortment of 5-gallon mop buckets and plastic bags will give you plenty of options for shuttling your loot from field to home. Plastic and zip-close bags provide an extra element of protection for highly prized specimens, and pieces of newspaper will protect larger pieces stacked in buckets. Use beer or grocery flats (used to hold canned items) for stacking large quantities of crystals.

    Hand Tools

    • The selection of hand tools you choose for your crystal digging expedition will vary depending on the local conditions, but a shovel and several smaller hand tools will make a pretty basic kit. Three-pronged gardening hand rakes are recommended for scratching through loose gravel to reveal crystals. A long-handled screwdriver will help you pry sticky crystals from surrounding rock, or clay, and pry bars and pickaxes will break through thick or rocky soil in pursuit of quartz. In some cases, sledgehammers might come in handy, but a simple and lightweight group of hand tools will usually suffice.

    Gem Scoop

    • Though hardly a necessity for digging crystals, a gem scoop is a handy tool for anyone spending long days on the hunt. Some retailers sell gem scoops, but you can make a simple one at home with just a few materials. Essentially, a gem scoop is a long shaft with a scoop on the bottom used to sift through soil for gems. Construct a simple, do-it-yourself version using a wooden dowel or cut mop handle, a spoon, some super-strength adhesive and a roll of duct tape.