The site is located 0.65 mile north of Rossville on the east side of Old York Road in Warrington Township. Near the village of Gates, Pennsylvania, in Fayette County, is an occurrence of a rare type of volcanic rock called Kimberlite. Some of Are There Diamonds In Pennsylvania? Large Bag- $7.95. Reputed to be as much as 500 million years old, they are hexagonal with points on each end. Where can I dig for gems in PA? At Bushkill Falls everyone will have funpretending to be a "gold miner" for a day. Contents. Gem Sapphire Mine, Montana. Hello, I am John.As a little boy, I was fascinated by stones and liked to take them home. When you find your gem, they may even be able to mount it and explain the geology and history of its formation. Categories gemstone , geodes , geology , lapidary , paleontology , peridot , science Tags EFMLS , EFMLS Wildacres , gem and mineral club , gem and mineral clubs , gem and mineral show , gem and mineral shows , geode . It is a bit of a rare crystal to find, but the effort is worth it! Search for eastonite near the Sherrer Quarry or at the C.K Williams Quarry on College Hill. Royal Peacock Mine - Virgin Valley, Nevada. Aramark 2023 Bushkill FallsBushkill Falls RoadBushkill, PA 18324. Recreational gem mining, in general, is more of a diversion than a quick way to get rich, as evidenced by the discovery of a 310-carat emerald in North Carolina in 2009. An old town myth claims that in this community, you will find seven gates that will allow you to enter Hell if you do the right thing and open them in the correct order. Check out the most common types of crystals you can find in geodes in the article below:16 Most Common Types of Crystals You Can Find in Geodes. Pennsylvania is still home to a wide variety of minerals and rocks that can be mined for gemstones. Bags of mining rough can be purchased in Nature Nook. Find frequently asked questions in the section below: There are around twenty or more rock hunting clubs in Pennsylvania that meet regularly and are specialized in specific regions and specimens. . You can find the entirety of diamand deposits in both Chessboard articles. Make sure you check who owns the land youre planning to visit and get permission if needed. Obsidian is always a joy to find; however, Pennsylvania isnt very known for its volcanic activity, and as such, it is rare. garnets are found in three different forms in Pennsylvania. 117 Ways to Make Money During Coronavirus, Hows your face doing? Understanding The Care & Maintenance Of This Precious Gemstone, Explore The Mysterious And Expensive World Of Fire Opal, Explore The Fascinating History And Uses Of Fake Opal: From Ancient Civilizations To Today, Exploring The Unique Conditions Of Lightning Ridge Australia: Mining For The Rare And Precious Black Opal, Caring For Your Fire Opal: Cleaning And Preserving A Beautiful Gemstone, Revolutionizing The Car Industry: The Opal GM A Perfect Balance Of Luxury Performance And Affordability, The Devastation Of Hurricane Opal: A 1995 Category 4 Storm. The abandoned Pennsylvania turnpike, which spans 13 miles and was last used in 1968, is located in the southwestern part of the state. This mine, situated in northern Nevada in the Virgin Valley, is the place to come for opals. Are there gems in Pennsylvania? The Emerald Hollow Mine is home to the only emerald mine in the United States open for public treasure hunting. Parkesburg is also a great place, and you can also pan for it in the nearby streams. Ringing Rocks Park is home to a plethora of boulders that produce music when struck with a hammer. Other species include epidote, andradite, chabazite, chalcopyrite, djurleite, stilbite and heulandite. You can also try your luck and ask for permission to pan for gold in Lancaster County, at Peters Creek west of Quarryville, or the streams near Peach Bottom and Muddy Run Park. If you are interested in checking out the best book about rockhounding in Pennsylvania you can find it by clickinghere(Amazon link). Read: Rare Gems and Minerals in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has a rich history, diverse terrain, forests, and mountains. Smoke Hole Resort. Some of the best locations to rockhound in Pennsylvania include Valley Quarry Gettysburg & Fairfield, Constitution, Rossville Road Cut, Meckleys Quarry, Prospect Park, York County, Lancaster County, McAdoo, the Historic Crystal Cave, Mahantango Formation, the Southeastern Public Land region, The Echo mine, Chester County, or Lebanon, Berks, or Luzerne Counties. Tumbling takes some time, but the result is usually worth it. Explore The Prices Of Tiffany & Co Necklaces In Malaysia, Secrets To Keeping Your Cartier Watch Looking Like New: Tips To Prevent Scratches, Exploring The History Of Cartier: How An Iconic Brand Became A Multi-Billion Dollar Business, Uncovering The Unknown: The English Pirate Cartier Of The 18th Century. These shops typically sell a variety of rocks, minerals, and fossils, and many of them will have a selection of rough gemstones as well. The best places to rockhound in Pennsylvania include York, Lancaster, Chester, or Lebanon counties, and its southern parts are filled with petrified wood. Masontown Kimberlite diamonds are available in Greene and Fayette counties. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Taxes On Cartier Jewelry: How Much Can You Expect To Pay? Frick House. Chester County is another great place for rockhounding in Pennsylvania since here you can find pyrite, the rare pyromorphite, quartz, fossils, and plenty of other things. Og det her kan sagtens vre dit frste job, vi lrer dig hvordan du yder frsteklasses service. The Crater of Diamonds is a place where you can search for diamonds from their original volcanic origins. Geodes, despite being an ancient form of rock and mineral exploration in Pennsylvania, are not among the many types of rocks and minerals found there. As mentioned in the introduction, many people have found diamonds in this location. If youre searching on public land, I would highly recommend this article I wrote detailing the legalities of rockhounding on every type of public land. The best Where Is Amethyst Found In Pennsylvania? Invested in it lately? Buttermilk Falls Natural Area contains a number of Pennsylvanias highest waterfalls. It has all the character of the era, complete with a saloon and mining tents, and staff dressed up in period costumes. Thats okay! There are three sluice ways, and you get a bucketful of potential gems included with your entrance fee of $5. Pyrite can be found in Lancaster County, at the Blue Ball Stone Company Quarry, the French Creek Mine in St. Peters Village near Chester County, in Lebanon County at the Cornwall Iron Mine, or in Berks and Luzerne Counties, and their surroundings. Diamonds are found in addition to topaz, chrysoberyl, sapphire, ruby, and emerald in a mixed-type setting. In 2014, David Anderson found a 6.19-carat white diamond in a field in Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas. The Wheatley Mines particularly the Brookdale Mine in Phoenixville, have produced many fantastic specimens. It would be a good idea to investigate Bermudian Creek, Conewago Creek, and their tributaries. Under normal conditions, a grapheme of carbon is the most stable and allotrope-like of carbon forms. You pan for gold in the small stream near Gross Road, in Constitution; however, you need to ask for permission first. When it comes to gemstones, the state of Pennsylvania hasnt yet official designated a state gemstone of its own. Binitoite, a rare blue mineral that is Californias state gemstone, can be found in the Benitoite Gem Mine in central California, and you might find it there if you hunt hard enough. In Pittsburgh, the Mattress Factory is a contemporary art museum that specializes in contemporary art. Lets see exactly where you can find some of the essential crystals in Pennsylvania! McAdoo. Uncover all sorts of gems from your mining rough, which you get to take home. Tiffany Stone is a rare purple, blue and white rock, mined in Utah, and used as a gem. by Saeed - Verified & Updated April 11, 2022 (This post may contain affiliate links.). It is a museum dedicated to the story of the Johnstown Flood, which has rarely been told in Pennsylvania history. TIP:One of the basic ways of determining a particular rock type is by testing its hardness. The diamonds mined from the mine are typically classified as Type II diamonds, which are the highest quality diamonds on the market. The discovery of gold in western Pennsylvania has been known for only a few years. Photo by Robert Nunnally. Tip: In addition to this article, I have written a more comprehensive guide (with a map) to rockhounding in Pennsylvania as part of my state-by-state rockhounding series. The best places to rockhound in Pennsylvania include York, Lancaster, Chester, or Lebanon counties, and its southern parts are filled with petrified wood. ATTENTION TO RIGHT HOLDERS! Still did not find the answer to your answers about rockhounding in Pennsylvania? This list, of course, is not exhaustive.The Pennsylvania Topographic and Geologic Survey once compiled a list of approximately 430 unique mineral species that could be found in the state. Quarry is open for collecting to groups and clubs by appointment only. Rutile crystals can also be found near the Maryland state line, near Fawn Grove on Route 851. Panning rivers for diamonds, or looking for diamonds or indicator materials from pipes like garnets, pyrite, or chromium dioxide, is how diamonds have traditionally been discovered, followed for a long time to their source. Staff are happy to dig up the dirt, removing the larger stones, and providing you with the tools and equipment to go through the gravel and see if you can spot rough sapphires. The Corundum is a type of crystalline mineral composed of aluminum oxide. You can also find some spectacular rutile crystals near Parkesburg, PA. Titanites are calcium titanium nesosilicate minerals, which can range in color from brown to gray to yellow to green. Many of those minerals were only found in trace amounts or in sizes that were hardly suitable for display purposes in a mineral collection. Thorite can be found in a variety of colors, including yellow, brown, and black. Derived from the mantle and rarely from meteorites. There is an official closed area, but cyclists and pedestrians can use part of it as a bike path. It is best to start your search in the towns of Hanover and Lebanon, as well as the surrounding area. Explore Nature on the 150 scenic acres of Crystal Cave where underground wonders, a hiking trail, picnic park, and gemstone panning await you! The town has a family admission, where for $60 two adults and up to three children can pan for gem for an hour; or for $105 you get to pan for three hours. You can scour the rocks for the gems' shiny opalescence between April and mid-October. Robert Beard, Rockhounding Pennsylvania & New Jersey (2013). Purchase a bag of "mining rough" for $16.00. Emerald Hollow Mine Hiddenite, North Carolina, 5. Precious metals such as gold, silver, and copper have all been found in Pennsylvania. Old York Road was expanded . The Little Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania is a sight to behold. The lens of a garnet lherzolite from the Altyn Tagh, which is associated with garnet pyroxenite, is located approximately 100 km east of the Jianggelasayi River in Proterozoic gneiss. You can get them for as little as $10 in some places. Three types of garnet have been found in Pennsylvania andradite, spessartine, and almandine. Fun and educational activities are available for the family, and group rates are available. The color of albite albite varies according to its plagioclase structure. With a little patience and some luck, you should be able to find a variety of different gemstones in Venango County. According to treasure hunters, the FBI allegedly stole gold from Civil War-era mines and sold it as scrap. You can also try York Building Supply Quarry, as many great variations of calcite have been uncovered there. They are scattered throughout the state; however, lets see exactly where you can find some popular minerals in Pennsylvania. Good kyanite samples can often be found in quartzite matrices, so it can be worthwhile to break open any quartzite you find with a rock hammer. What is the stone that is native to Pennsylvania? The Rossville road cut (mentioned earlier in the quartz section of this article) is another very accessible place to look for your very own azurite sample. Check out the best GPS for rockhounding in the article below:Best GPS For Rockhounding: 3 Best GPSes of the Year 2021. Vanadinite is the primary industrial ore of the metal vanadium and has a colorless to bright red color. Andradite, can be found at Cornwall Iron Mine as well as Teeter Quarry near Gettysburg. Of course, you will want to make sure that you arent trespassing on any private property while hunting. With all the coal in the United States, why arent more diamonds found here? Carbon at the Earths surface is primarily a pure form of graphite, also known as carbon. Pennsylvania ranks among the best states in the country for rockhounding, both for the wide variety of rocks and minerals that can be found here and for the sheer number of prospective rockhounding locations. Best answer: Can you take a shower with a silver necklace? You can also find fossils in this area. I have gone on three trips with Maine Mineral Adventures.On all trips a group was led to a mine site and given instructions on where and how to find gemstones.The first trip was to the Bennett Quarry where I found beryl,smokey quartz and lepidolite.The second trip was to Mt Mica where I found . There are several different types of blue gemstones that can be found in . You can also try panning in the streams nearby, as it is very likely that some of these rutile specimens have been washed away from the soil and are just waiting to be discovered in the water. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases with no additional costs for you. But can you tumble calcite? Where To Dig For Gems In Pennsylvania. In other parts of Pennsylvania, a wide variety of fossils occur. Minerals, metals, and gemstones are sorted into six categories in Pennsylvania. The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is one of only a few places in the world where visitors can search for diamonds in their original volcanic deposits. where to dig for gems in pennsylvaniafeathered friend questions and answers. Scallochlore, also known as seraphinite, is a dark green to grey color. The staff will be able to explain what to look for, and take you on tours. 97, about 0.5 mile west of Rt. The diamonds produced at the Crystal Point Diamond Mine are of exceptional quality. Mining for Gemstones is located in front of Nature Nook. Crater of Diamonds State Park Murfreesboro, Arkansas, 6. Both will produce some gold, and even small platinum nuggets have been found here. There are a few small streams in Pennsylvania where you might be able to find some diamonds. Digging is allowed May 13 through Oct. 15, WEATHER PERMITTING. I enjoy collecting and tumbling rocks with my daughter and traveling the world with my wife seeing geologic wonders. Many locations filmed are open for public digging, check out The Crystal Collector playlist on YouTube for open digs! Many of the old mines and quarries in Pennsylvania are great places to search for gems and minerals. Gold can also be found in York County, in the streams of Dillsburg, Rossville, Wellsville, Grantham, or in the Delta area. Generally, you should always consult first, especially if you plan on collecting creek rocks, as in some areas, it is illegal. In North America, the Crystal Point Diamond Mine is one of the largest mines, having been in operation for more than a century. Like. The Susquehanna River is a large river that runs through central Pennsylvania. There is a limestone belt in the central region of York County where calcite can be found. . The blog addresses the following questions: how to choose the right product, what to look for when buying and where can you buy quality jewelry? There are numerous quartz mines in the area, including the Brookdale Mine and Crystal Cave, both of which are accessible to the general public. Most of the old mines in the area will have some quantity of pyromorphite. Metal and ferroalloy production was from materials acquired from other domestic and foreign sources. To the east in Lancaster County near the town of Quarryville, check out the Susquehanna River and Peter's Creek. Rivers are one of the most common places to find diamonds. If youre looking for the best places to get started I would recommend looking at the French Creek Mine, the Blue Ball Stone Company, the Cornwall Iron Mine, Sullivan Trail Coal Company, and Bossardsville Quarry. Media, Upper Providence Township, Delaware Co., Pennsylvania, USA. Mineral properties such as zircon, garnet, and TR minerals have been prioritized. Courteous guides will lead you 125 feet underground while dislaying and explaining all that nature has created. It is a great region where rockhounding is permitted, or permits can be obtained to explore some incredible locations and find specimens of equal measure. This site contains affiliate links to products. The Pennsylvania region is home to a wide range of quartz-family gemstones, including amethyst, agates, jasper, and petrified wood. Nickel has a silvery-white color and a slight golden tinge that goes well with the silvery-white color of the element. Crystal Cave, on the other hand, is a fascinating place to visit due to its abundance of fluorescent gemstones. A total of seven tunnels were used by the original road, including those at Blue Mountain and Laurel Hill. Pennsylvania gold is a type of fools gold that is found in the state of Pennsylvania. The best ones are family-friendly, with low admission fees, equipment rental, and even cabins to rent. They are often found in loose soil, so searching in or near farm land is probably your best bet. This rock is very similar to that found in Kimberly, South Africa, where diamonds are mined. In a world of artificial amusements and pastimes, its refreshing to find that you can take time out to see what the earth has hidden just beneath the surface. In Chester County, you can find quartz at the Brookdale Mine in Phoenixville or at the Rossville Road Cut. Many of the mines mentioned in this article are abandoned but they are still owned by private entities or local municipalities. Where can I dig for gems in PA? Agates are widely distributed throughout Kentucky. Bright green and greyish colored samples have also been found in this area. Complete Cost Breakdown. You can find, on the other hand, anthropogenic obsidian in places such as the Ohio River, or near the town of Baden. , Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine, North Carolina. Several nice quartz crystals can be found in the town of McAdoo. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has granted approval to the Leibniz University of Hannovers PhoenixD cluster of excellence. Pennsylvanias state fossil is of an organism known as Phacops rana, a type of trilobite. Pennsylvania is rich in minerals as well as fossils from a wide range of animals and plants. One place is called the Raystown Lake Area, and it is known for its quartz crystals. The Echo is close to another excellent rock collecting destination, McAdoo. However, the most likely place to find diamonds in Pennsylvania is in the Susquehanna River. Other blue gemstones that can be found in Pennsylvania include blue topaz, blue tourmaline, and blue zircon. Other locations include the Merion Station or Miquon areas in Montgomery County, and Boothwyn in Delaware County. The hidden fortunes of the Doan Boys Gang, said to be $2 million at least. Legend has it that dozens of Civil War-era gold bars were lost or stolen near Dents Run about 135 miles northeast of Pittsburgh while en route to the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia more than 150 years ago. Can diamonds be found in Pennsylvania? These include marvelous specimens such as garnets, including andradite, spessartine, and almandine types, kyanite, eastonite, amethyst, and other various types of crystals. The Crystal Point Diamond Mine in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, is one of the countrys most productive diamond mines. Typically pale green in color, this mineral was named after the town near which it was discovered. Best answer: How do you test a diamond with a tester? The specimens range from a milky white to the more famous water clear crystals which most envision when they think of quartz. Beautiful samples of kyanite with distinct purplish-blue coloring have been found at appropriately-named Prospect Park near the Morton Homestead in Ridley township in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Many of the samples are reported to have an amazing variety of colors including light blue, light red, white, and yellow. You can find calcite, malachite, azurite, fossils, quartz, sandstone, chamosite, limonite, pyrite, and other noteworthy minerals, crystals, and rocks near and around York County. The Morefield Gem Mine is an exciting place for the whole family. Mineralogy and instrumentation are used in mineralogy and instrumentation. Please see our updated guidelines, click here. Very pretty red to dark red spessartine samples have been found in Boothwyn and Sharpless Quarry, while almadine specimens are commonly found near Constitution and in Deshongs Quarry near Leiperville. Not many finds rank with Michaels, but there are several places around the United States where you can search for valuable rocks and diamonds, and you get to keep what you find! 8290 N Fork Hwy Cabins, WV 26855. I'm Mike Rhea, and I'm a professional Geologist with a passion for rocks, minerals, and everything related to Geology. Pennsylvania is a major producer of crushed stone and produces construction and industrial sand and gravel, lime, portland cement, and peat. Calcite crystals have a distinct character that when broken into smaller pieces, they always break down into a rhombic crystal. Your question: Which is the biggest gem in the world? The mine has many different types of gems, including sapphires, garnets, amethysts, topaz, and aquamarines, as well as the emeralds that it is named after. Diamonds, in addition to those found near the pipes, have also been discovered. The Wheatley Mines in the town of Phoenixville possess pyromorphite invariants such as bright green or greyish. Scientific research can also benefit from them. I have actually talked about - Continue -, Get our official eBook & start earning extra money today! You can also find it in quartzite matrices or in the streams near Darby Creek. Garnet, chromite, ilmenite, clinopyroxene, olivine, and zircon are all indicators of diamond value as a result of their decreasing importance. You will be interested to know how expensive this activity is if you are not experienced in tumbling rocks. Pyrite can also be found in the Cornwall Iron Mine, as well as azurite. Printable Foxes Wildlife Note (PDF) Red and gray foxes are small, agile carnivores belonging to the same family ( Canidae) as the dog, coyote and wolf. Each 'panner' will receive a card identifying the found gems they mined. In addition to Canada, South Africa, and Ghana, there are several other countries with diamond deposits. Just to the west of Scranton you can find Back Mountain Jewelry & Rock Shop which has a pretty good inventory. The trouble is that a lot of the best places to scour are on private land, so youll need to be sure to get permission before searching. This interest of mine has lasted until today, so I decided to create this website. We film our digs and you can find them on our YouTube channel. It was built in 1755 and is the first-ever hospital America owned, even before the American Revolution. Pennsylvania is a great state for mineral hunting. Maryland lies at the northern point of an East Coast gold belt that extends southward to Georgia and is mostly associated with the ancient metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont Plateau. Beautiful blue azurite can be found in Lebanon County, at the Cornwall Mines, or at the Rossville road cut, but you will need a heavy hammer to do the trick! The Trexler Nature Preserve, which includes 29 acres of the Lehigh Valley Zoo, is located in Schnecksville. Som butiksassistent suser du nemlig rundt mellem kolleger og kunder og srger for, at der er orden i butikken. If you want to sluice-and-pan, this is available for $135 for two hours. Its scientific name is Lynx rufus. The fact that diamonds can be found in a variety of places suggests that demand for them is increasing. Chromite, an oxide mineral, has a black or brownish color. The bobcat, also known as the bay Iynx, wildcat, red lynx and swamp tiger, is the states only feline predator. Because of the Crystal Point Diamond Mine, a significant player in the global diamond industry, it is estimated that it will produce up to a billion carats of diamonds over the next 25 years. Other good spots to explore include the Allegheny National Forest and the Cook Forest State Park. Because of its ease of removal, yellow diamonds can be easily extracted from barren ground, whereas fresh kimberlite rock, known as blue ground, must be crushed to release them. 6. A wide range of prehistoric marine animals, including corals, mussels, clams, and trilobites, can be found. Wear your old clothes, as it is a dirty experience. In Elk County, Benezette is an unincorporated community. Customers love finding amazonite, topaz and garnets especially. TIP:Rockhounding can sometimes be unsafe if you dont know the area you are rockhounding in. This is the only emerald mine in the States which is open to the public. Geodes can also be purchased from a variety of stores, though these are usually more expensive. Group Rates- 20 or more bags. 150 scenic acres. Finally, you can also search for gemstones online. These include marvellous specimens such as garnets, including andradite, spessartine, and almandine types, kyanite, eastonite, amethyst, or other various types of crystals. 3. Yes, diamonds can be found in rivers. Calcite crystals have a distinct characteristic that they always break down into rhombic crystals after being broken down into smaller pieces. Between 2019 and 2025, the Leibniz University Hannovers Cluster of Excellence QuantumFrontiers will receive approximately 52 million euros in funding. Glacial movement scattered agates throughout much . Cooper's Gem Mine is a family owned and operated business geared to providing the best family friendly, fun, and educational experience possible! Sift the contents of your bag in the sluice, which is a trough with circulating water. Another great location to find calcite is the York Building Products Roosevelt Avenue Plant in York County. Quick Answer: Should I enchant diamond or iron pickaxe? Be Careful and Follow These Tips! To find rutile, you can search for it in the Gross Road region; however, you need permission from the owner first. It is expensive, at $180 per person per day to dig in the banks, but you can expect to find many opals. What Gemstones Can be Found in Pennsylvania? Tiffany Stone. With that being said, here are just a couple of the best locations and what you can find in Pennsylvania. In geodes, you can find a large variety of different crystals. Company NMLS# 303719. where to dig for gems in pennsylvania. In general, never give up on gold; rather, avoid it, and youll only end up scattering it and denying yourself any valuable metals. Peridot. On summer weekends, groups must arrive before 10:30 am or after 5:00 pm. The layered silicate minerals kaolinite and kaolinite are among the most widely found minerals on the planet. Gold Prospecting Adventures Jamestown, California, 2. Sapphires can be found in a variety of colors, but blue is the most common. You can break them out with a hammer and chisel, or find them simply looking around. Thats why its a good idea to have a GPS with you to help get back home. Starting in the Northwest, in the aptly nicknamed Treasure State, gem-hunters will find the oldest and largest sapphire mine in southwestern Montana off Highway 38 between the cities of Hamilton and Philipsburg. It is likely that the diamonds in the Susquehanna River were brought there by glaciers during the last ice age. The only gem mine in West Virginia is located in the beautiful Appalachian mountains, in the Southern part of the state. But if you know where to look, youll be surprised what other valuable gems you can discover for yourself. The best time to look for gems in a diamond field is after a rainstorm. In addition to the fact that Lancaster County has yielded a fair share of gold nugget over the years, it has also yielded a fair share of silver. A box containing 12 samples of Pennsylvania rocks and spaces for six more of your own rocks is $15.00. It has oil-green crystals of chromite or magnetite on top, and it is an antigorite mineral. TIP:Do you like that exciting feeling when you are about to open a geode? This is a strange structure known as the Coffee Pot in Bedford, Pennsylvania. There are also places where you can find ruby, sapphire, opal and many other gemstones. If you want to try your hand at gold mining, there are some things you should know. Find out the main differences and similarities between sedimentary and igneous rocks in the article below:Sedimentary vs. Igneous Rocks: Differences & Similarities. In fact, the park covers more than 13,000 acres, making it the largest state park in the United States, with three counties surrounding it: Columbia, Luzerne, and Sullivan. The Wagner Free Institute of Science, a revolutionary of the time founded by William Wagner, offered free educational courses to those who desired to learn more about the natural sciences. You can find it in Ridley Township, at Prospect Park, near Morton Homestead in southeastern Pennsylvania. Diamonds have been mined for hundreds of years. Gold is most often found in York and Lancaster counties. Because the diamond is yours to keep, you are referred to as a finders, keepers here. Peridot is the gem variety of olivine.