The Morefield Gem Mine is a unique experience for children and adults alike. The mine is a great introduction to minerals and mineral collecting at a real mine.

The Morefield Gem Mine is one of the few operating mines in the United States where collecting is allowed on a regular basis. The mine is a great introduction for anyone, any age, who wants to find rocks, minerals, and gems and learn to identify them. No less than 10 minerals species can be found on any day, and with experience, time, and depending on what is being mined underground, more of the almost 80 mineral species occurring in the Morefield pegmatite can be found.

The mine is a world-class amazonite location and is referenced in many books on rock and minerals.

The Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History has a full-size diorama of the Morefield Gem Mine, and it is constructed of minerals taken from the mine. If you are in the D.C. area, this and the mineral hall are certainly worth a visit.

• Exhibits and Gift Shop
• Collecting From Mine Dumps (Bring your own bucket or container)
• Sluice Screening (Screens and shovels available)
• Picnicking (Bring your own drink; no alcohol allowed)
• Restrooms