Howe Caverns Mining Company!

The HC Mining Company building will be open on a limited basis during the peak season. Gem Mining is always available in the Gift Shop

Purchase a bag of mining rough, and make your way to the water sluice. A water sluice is a trough of running water where bags of mining “rough” are emptied and sifted through screen trays. The water washes away the dirt, revealing sparkling gems and minerals. You are panning for earthly mineral treasures (if not gold)! You will discover garnets, rose quartz, fool’s gold, emeralds, aquamarines and many beautiful natural stones. You can use the identification charts to accurately identify exactly what you have unearthed. Try your hand at sifting for fossils or arrowheads. And remember, all the treasures you find, are yours to take home!

Gemstone Mining Rough

3-pound bag: $7.00
5-pound Bag: $9.00

The “Motherlode”

Includes Gems, Fossils, Arrowheads & Shark’s Teeth

$20 per bag

Ask about our special discounted group rates if you book a reservation in advance (must have at least 15 students or at least 15 adults). Prices do not include tax as applicable.

HC Mining Company

OUR 6000 SQ FT MINING BUILDING LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF OUR PARKING LOT IS OPEN SEASONALLY, GEMSTONE MINING IS AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND IN THE MAIN LODGE.

Come and sift your materials in either the indoor or outdoor water sluice. Children are invited to take part in additional activities where they can make jewelry from the gems they find.

Visit Our Rock Fossil Shop

FOR MORE TREASURES UNEARTHED FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Discover Fossils, Gems. Minerals and Learning. Check out the fossil dishes, candlesticks and other wares all from Morocco. We have agate slices, amethyst cathedrals, hematite, crystals in both clear and smoky varieties. View Mexican calcite in various colors, meteorites, lamps, pyrite, desert rose, polished rocks, jewelry and much, much more. The learning and adventure will last all day at Howe Caverns.

Geode Cutting or Cracking

Once you’ve found your gemstone treasures, there are other hidden treasures waiting for your discovery! There are ancient volcanic geodes. Select your natural geode, and watch as we carefully cut it in half to reveal its inner world of mineral beauty.

Geodes are usually spherical hollow rocks containing crystalline structures that vary in chemical compound, size, color, density and internal shape.

Geodes are mysterious. It is impossible for one to know what’s on the inside until your Geode is cut open! The formation of geodes is still scientifically unconfirmed – another mystery! Each geode offers a unique glimpse of the spontaneous beauty that nature can generate with the earth’s minerals over time.

Geodes are priced by size from $6.00 (1-2″ diameter) to $45.00 (6-8″ diameter) You receive both halves of your cut geode. Prices do not include taxes as applicable.