This is a real mining adventure on a real mine, on top of a mountain, in a real historic mining district. This is not a canned gem hunt where the material has been prepared on the side of the road in a tourist trap setting.

You need to make reservations, the mine opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 4:00 PM the cost is $100 per person, per day. Each person is allowed to take home a five-gallon bucket of material of any kind. Bring a zip-lock bag for your small stones and a five-gallon bucket. Some people will not find any Benitoite, there are no guarantees. But the people that hunt the hardest always seem to do well. Small screening systems and tables are available for use at a cost of $20.00 per day. Bring your own 1/8 inch screens if you have them.

The most popular method of hunting is to turn over rocks, while looking for white Natrolite, which is associated with the black/red Neptunite crystals, orange Joaquinite, Djurleite, and of course, blue Benitoite crystals.

Another poplular method of finding free floating stones is to wear a pair of magnifying glasses and knee pads and get close to the ground to see everything. Being close to the ground and being able to see everything seems to be the reason kids are so good at collecting.

Another popular method of finding Benitoites is "night hunting" with black lights (UV lights). Benitoite fluoresces a fantastic brilliant blue and is easily seen at night with a UV light. Black light mining at night is a unique experience as the ground glitters of fluorescence... resembling the stars above.

There will always be a mine guide there to help and explain what to look for, how to operate the screens, how to night hunt using a black light, etc...

The mine is a hillside of twenty acres of tailings and piles of rock. Gems and minerals are scattered throughout the entire area. Breaking rocks is not allowed because of the potential damage to gem crystals.

If you discover a plate of gems on a large bolder too big to fit in your bucket, see the mine guide and they will negotiate a price with you, as you have first dibs on that piece.

There are no services for at least three hours in any direction. Bring your own water, food, and start out with a full tank of gas. A porta-potty is on site and primitive campsites are available in the surrounding hills on BLM land except during the summer, when camping is prohibited on BLM land. In the winter or rainy season, you must reconfirm your reservation 1-2 days prior to your field trip, as roads may become impassable.

The roads going through the Clear Creek/New Idria mining district are very rough and suitable for those with a real mining spirit. Everyone should try to make a two day trip out of it. Drive in the first day, camp the night, and dig and drive out the next because the drive in and out is too long and exhausting for one day. A high clearance 2WD vehicle is suitable during the dry season, but a 4WD is recommended. Do not try to make the trip in the family sedan. Discretion should be used in bringing the very youngest and the most senior members of the family on the first trip. Buddy up in a group so that if you have a flat tire, you'll have help. You will see plants, rocks, and minerals found nowhere else in the world. Be prepared for mountain driving conditions and incredible scenic views of the Coast Mountains and San Joaquin Valley. You'll be driving through old historic communities that grew up around the mines which most have burned to the ground now, over the last century.

The best way to get to the mine is to ride your quads, side-by-sides, dune buggies, motorcycles, or other OHVs. This makes the ride into the mine much faster and easier. There are good places to set up a base camp, Jade Mill and Oak Flat, and any of the six staging areas along Clear Creek. Remember, you have to buy your BLM use fee for your OHVs at the Clear Creek main enterance.

• $100.00 per person, per day.
• Kids under 14 free(bring your kids, they'll have an experience that they'll remember the rest of their lives.)
• Camping on the mine - $20.00 per family, per night.
• Screen system rental - $20.00 per day.
• Night hunts with black light - $500.00 per light, per night. Maximum 2 people per light.
• Black light rental - $100.00 per night.(You break it, you buy it.)