All the tools you need for a successful crystal mining experience.
TOOLS FOR HARD ROCK MINING / POCKET DIGS
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Arkansas Digging Bar
The best tool for mining crystals in Arkansas. Handmade locally in Mount Ida, Arkansas. Not available online, but can be purchased at our gift shop.
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4-Pound Sledge Hammer
ESTWING 4-pound sledge hammer with forged steel construction & shock-reduction grip
A sledge hammer is a must-have tool to remove rocks. You may opt for a 3-pound or 6-pound hammer depending on your need. -
12" Flat Steel Chisel
BOSCH jackhammer heavy-duty chisel
I have found these chisels work the best. This is actually a chisel tip that is meant as an attachment for a jackhammer. High-quality chisel made by Bosh. It is long, made from hard steel, heavy duty and durable. These do not wear or bend like other chisels. -
18" Geological Rock Bar Tool
ESTWING smaller geological pry bar, forged steel construction.
One end has a pointed tip for breaking rocks and the other side has a prying / chisel end for levering. -
30" Pry Bar with Angled Chisel End
ESTWING 3/4" x 30" pry bar with angled chisel end, forged steel construction
Also available in a 24” size and smaller. I would recommend a 24” or 30” bar. -
Flathead Screwdriver
KLEIN TOOLS flathead screwdriver with 3/8-Inch keystone tip, 8-Inch heavy-duty square shank
A screw driver or deer antler tip can be useful for removing loose crystals or smaller rocks. -
Geological Pickaxe
ESTWING Paleo Rock Pickaxe (“Geo-Pick”)
25" geologist tool with an all steel construction & vinyl cushion grip
This is literally a must-have tool for any rockhound. It is a smaller, heavy-duty pickaxe that is wonderful for all kinds of mining activities.
This would be especially useful for breaking virgin ground, exploring untouched areas and prospecting in a new locality. -
Fiberglass Stakes
These fiberglass stakes make a great skinny digging tool that does not damage crystals
They come in a 48" size, and will need to be cut and sharpened to be usable. Cut into 12” sections for digging. Also sold with reflector tops as single poles in hardware stores. -
Deer / Elk Antler
A piece of a sharpened deer or elk antler makes for a great digging tool that does not scratch crystals. A grinder will easily sharpen an antler.
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Safety Glasses
DEWALT safety glasses with clear lens
Safety glasses are helpful to prevent eye injury when chiseling and removing rock. Also useful for any co-miners or bystanders. -
5-Gallon Bucket
You will need multiple buckets or baskets.
This is a heavy-duty 90mil extra durable food grade 5-Gallon bucket. -
3.5-Gallon Bucket
Using a smaller 2-gallon or 3.5-gallon bucket can be extremely helpful to avoid over-reaching and dropping crystals too far. A smaller sized container can be especially useful for holding smaller points.
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Nylon Work Gloves
Seamless knit nylon gloves
Any work gloves will work to protect your hands. Nylon is the better material option, not cloth. Good grip and tight fit are essential for good dexterity. Make sure to buy multiple pairs as you will wear out at least one pair during a pocket dig. -
Cut-Resistant Gloves
Cut-resistant work gloves may be a higher quality glove option. These are more heavy-duty than regular nylon gloves and provide a puncture-resistant protection.
TOOLS FOR TAILINGS PILES DIGS
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28" Smaller Digging Shovel
This smaller shovel is ideal for sitting at a tailings area and digging through the material. You can move a lot more dirt while still being close to the ground for noticing any crystals.
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Hand-Held Trowel
FISKARS 11” plastic trowel
This is an excellent choice for light-duty tailings digging. Especially suitable for children. The plastic material will not damage the crystals which is a great advantage. -
Hand-Held Cultivator
Japanese-made ninja claw rake and cultivator
These tools work great to work through loose to compact clay.
Optionally, you can also choose a cultivator with tines made from a plastic material. -
Hand-Tiller Hoe & Cultivator
Japanese-made handheld cultivator with long handle
This is a great tool for digging trough tailings material. It provides a little more power than a smaller cultivator or trowel.
Excellent craftsmanship and fine quality tool. -
Geo-Pick
ESTWING Paleo Rock Pick
25" geologist tool with an all steel construction & a vinyl cushion grip
This is literally a must-have tool for any rockhound. It is a smaller, heavy duty pickaxe that is wonderful for all kinds of mining activities. May not be as useful for digging in tailings. -
5-Gallon Bucket
You will need multiple buckets or baskets.
This is a heavy-duty 90mil extra durable food grade 5-Gallon bucket. -
3.5-Gallon Bucket
Using a smaller 2-gallon or 3.5-gallon bucket can be extremely helpful to avoid over-reaching and dropping crystals too far. A smaller sized container can be especially useful for holding smaller points.
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Nylon Work Gloves
Seamless Knit Nylon Gloves
Any work gloves will work to protect your hands. Nylon is the better material option, not cloth. Good grip and tight fit are essential for good dexterity. -
Cut-Resistant Gloves
Cut-resistant work gloves may be a higher quality glove option. These are more heavy-duty than regular nylon gloves and provide a puncture-resistant protection.
EQUIPMENT FOR CLEANING CRYSTALS
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Spot Cleaning Water Gun
High-pressure electric textile spot cleaning water gun
This is a must-have tool for cleaning clusters. The tiny stream of water is able to remove the most stubborn pockets of clay and dirt. -
Pressure Washer
Westinghouse gas pressure washer, 3200 PSI and 2.5 Max GPM
This is an affordable and well-made pressure washer. Ideal for cleaning larger rocks and crystals or removing stubborn and hard-to-reach pockets of clay and dirt. -
Oxalic Acid (2 pounds)
99.6% pure Oxalic Acid
This is the best, most concentrated product for cleaning quartz crystals. Refer to the blog post and youtube video on how to clean crystals. -
Oxalic Acid (5 pounds)
99.6% pure Oxalic Acid
This is the best, most concentrated product for cleaning quartz crystals. Refer to the blog post and youtube video on how to clean crystals. -
Oxalic Acid (10 pounds)
99.6% pure Oxalic Acid
This is the best, most concentrated product for cleaning quartz crystals. Refer to the blog post and youtube video on how to clean crystals. -
7 Quart Crockpot
Manual oval slow-cooker / crock pot
Using a crockpot really helps with making the cleaning process quick, efficient and reliable. I recommend putting a plastic strainer inside the cooker to make the removal of the crystals easy. -
3 Liter Ultrasonic Cleaner
Ultrasonic Cleaner with digital timer & heater
This 3L machine is great for removing grime, fingerprints or residues from crystals. I use it to run the batch of freshly cleaned crystals to remove any acid residue. -
Iron Out Rust Remover
Iron Out rust stain remover powder, 4.75 pound bottle
This is a good alternative instead of using concentrated oxalic acid. -
Bar Keepers Rust-Remover
Bar Keepers Friend stain & rust remover
This is a good alternative instead of using concentrated oxalic acid.
If you can find unscented, that is preferred. The spray makes for a convenient spot-cleaning action. -
Heavy Duty Latex Gloves
These 22” extra-long gloves are fabricated to resist strong acids and will protect your hands and arms when working with Oxalic Acid.