Avant Mining is located in a rural area nestled in the Ouachita Mountains. Renowned for its rich mineral deposits, particularly quartz crystals, Fisher Mountain has been a haven for massive quartz crystal deposits, making it a dream destination for rockhounds and crystal enthusiasts alike.
If you’ve always wanted to get your hands, proverbially and literally, dirty on a real quartz dig, this is THE spot. Recently, I had the pleasure of trying my luck at quartz crystal mining on Fisher Mountain and my takeaways did not disappoint.
First, What Is Avant Mining?
In a nutshell, it’s a premium mining company that offers quartz crystal digs on Fisher Mountain in Arkansas. For a few years, I’ve been watching Avant on social media channels, dreaming about the day I could try my hand at mining. When the opportunity presented itself on a recent trip to Hot Springs (it’s under an hour away), I jumped at the chance.
In addition to crystal mining, Avant offers a decently-sized gem museum filled with both its finds and other rocks, gems, and minerals from areas around the world. It’s at the home base/museum where you’ll need to go to sign release forms and complete your quartz mining permit.
How to Dig for Crystals at Avant
Avant offers several crystal mining experiences, catering to both beginners and seasoned collectors. Depending on your budget, you can spend anywhere from a $10 public dig for kids to $10,000 for a party of three in a private pocket dig.
Public Dig
- Location: Ocus Stanley Claim on Fisher Mountain
- Cost: $10 for children 7-17, $25 per adult 18-5, seniors $20
- Process: Purchase a mining permit at the gift shop and head to the designated digging area. You can use your own tools or rent them on-site.
- What to Expect: This is a great option for families and those new to crystal mining. You’ll have the opportunity to find a variety of crystals, including quartz points, clusters, and geodes.
Private Pocket Dig
- Location: Garfield Lewis Claim on Fisher Mountain
- Cost: $1,000 to $10,000 for a party of three. Yes, that’s a pretty penny, but you’ll have an experienced mining guide with you to let you know the value of your crystals.
- Process: You’ll be guided by an experienced miner to a specific pocket, where you’ll have the chance to excavate high-quality crystals.
- What to Expect: This is a more advanced option that requires a significant investment. However, it offers the potential to find exceptional specimens. This is where I had the opportunity to dig when I visited. While I only had roughly 20-30 minutes, the amount of crystals in the open pocket was massive. The crystal points were sticking out of the clay and, with little effort, I was able to pull many of them out by hand.
What to Wear and Bring When You Quartz Mine
To make the most of your crystal mining adventure, here are some essential tips:
Clothing
When choosing what to wear, pick clothing and other items that you don’t mind getting dirty with reddish clay and clay dust.
- Sturdy footwear with good traction. I wore hiking shoes and they worked well. There are slippery and rocky areas you’ll be climbing down, so be prepared.
- Long pants to protect your legs from scratches. Again, make sure they’re pants you don’t mind ripping or wearing out.
- A long-sleeved shirt to shield your arms from the sun and potential scrapes. The crystals are sharp and I did end up cutting my fingers and hands several times.
- A hat to protect your head from the sun.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen. You’re in an open area in the hot Arkansas sky and, while it may not seem hot, that sun is beating down.
Mining Equipment
If you’re a beginner, it’s always a good idea to have a few necessary tools and other items with you.
- A digging tool, such as a pickaxe or a rock hammer
- A chisel
- Safety goggles. While I didn’t use them, I did have on my glasses and they kept plenty of clay dust out of my eyes.
- A backpack or bag to carry your finds
- Water bottle
- Snacks
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
If you don’t want to invest in tools, Avant does offer mining equipment rentals.
Tips for Successful Crystal Mining
Here are my takeaways from quartz crystal mining at Avant:
- Patience is Key: Crystal mining can be time-consuming, so be patient and enjoy the process.
- Learn to Identify Crystals: Familiarize yourself with different types of crystals and their characteristics. It’s a good idea to research ahead of time or ask the guide at the museum for tips.
- Use Proper Techniques: Learn the correct way to use your tools to avoid damaging the crystals. Don’t go hacking away at the crystal points as you’ll ruin the look and value.
- Clean Your Finds: Once you’ve collected your crystals, clean them gently to remove dirt and debris. There are how-to guides online, but I found warm water and a soft bristle brush aka a toothbrush) work well.
- Respect the Environment: Leave no trace and follow all mining regulations.