Emerald Creek Garnet Area

Near the beautiful community of Saint Maries, the Emerald Green Creek Garnet Area uses any individual the possibility to dig for celebrity garnets and keep them. The website opens every year on Memorial Day weekend, bring in gem seekers from around the world.

Called the Treasure State, Idaho boasts over 240 minerals that have been determined within its boundaries. The most substantial one, though, is its state treasure, the celebrity garnet. Star garnets obtain their name from the four- or six-pointed star that shows up to float upon the surface when they are properly cut and brightened. The sensation, called asterism, is caused by rutile (a mineral consisting of titanium dioxide) needle developments within the stone producing a stunning optical display screen. These gems can only be located in only 2 places on planet: India and the Idaho Panhandle.

The very first step in sourcing the celebrity garnets from the earth is accumulating crushed rock in containers. Then, assisted by sluice boxes, site visitors use running water to sort and separate out the rocks. Ultimately, the distinct dark purple, often crimson color of the treasures makes them easy to identify versus the grey river rocks.

What makes on-site excavating such a fun family task is that discovering several star garnets is relatively easy. You can take home as several of the treasures as you can discover up to a five-pound limitation.