Where you can actually hunt for diamonds and gemstones across the US

Where you can actually hunt for diamonds and gemstones across the US Alamy A tourist recently uncovered a 7.46-carat diamond in an Arkansas state park, but it turns out there are plenty of other places where travellers can unearth these hidden gems. Last week, a Parisian tourist on a US road trip stopped off at Arkansas's Crater of Diamonds State Park – where visitors pay $15 per day to search for naturally formed gems glistening in the dirt. Alamy Ron Coleman Mining in Jessieville, Arkansas Open year-round Ron Coleman Mining's digital specialist Tresa McFarlin told BBC Travel that visitors come here seeking pristine, water-clear crystal quartz points or clusters. Herkimer Diamond Mines in Herkimer, New York Early April through October These seasonal mines open their 2024 season in April, and opening day will bring droves of enthusiasts digging Herkimer diamonds – a type of especially clear, especially hard quartz crystal unique to Herkimer County in central New York state. Emerald Hollow Mine in Hiddenite, North Carolina Open year-round Another $25-per-day opportunity, Emerald Hollow Mine allows visitors the chance to uncover the property's namesake gems, as well as tourmaline, quartz, manganese and more.