Flash Mountain Crystal Mine is a fairly new mine that offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to recover your own rare solution quartz crystal. They are open by appointment and bookings are managed through their website.

The property is privately owned and located in North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas. Located right beside the renowned Jeffery Stone Quarry, this location shares very similar features to this famous quarry. 

The Jeffery Stone Quarry was the site of the original discovery of solution quartz in 1959, attracting geologists and hobby collectors for study and mining of this unique form of clear quartz. It was especially famous for being the only known location for an abundance of needle-like quartz (elongated, double-terminated, thin crystals) and substantial amounts of rectorite clay. During the initial study of this area, it was the only known locality for the mineral Cookite in the state. Many other minerals (pyrite, galena, sphalerite, limonite etc) were found here in addition to the spectacular quartz which made this quarry a haven for geological studies.

Solution quartz is characterized by many unusual features. They are often flattened, elongated and sometimes bent in shape. They are generally exceptionally clear and either doubly-terminated or multiply-terminated. This sometimes appears as a broken end but upon further inspection, it is revealed to be many terminations. When found in a cluster, these crystals  form open, interlocked haystack-like arrangements of delicate specimens.

The original site was accessible for a 15-year period between the 1950s to the late 1970s before the quarry flooded. The Jeffery Stone Quarry site is now closed and inaccessible.

Thanks to the owners of Flash Mountain Crystals, visitors now have the opportunity to collect these special crystals again. The digging area is tucked in the woods atop of the mountain ridge and offers primitive digging in virgin soil as well as some open veins. This is not your typical Arkansas mine that has been commercially developed. Although the owners do work the land with machinery to make these crystals more accessible, the general idea is a more laid-back vibe and a hand-digging approach. 

Groups of visitors are limited to a maximum of eight people and you will be accompanied by a personal guide who will share tips, techniques and time with you.

You get to keep whatever you find and this mine is a must-visit if you are interested in unique crystals and if you are a collector of the unusual types of quartz.