Dig at World’s Largest Quartz Crystal Mining Co. in Arkansas

According to Fun in Arkansas, the largest turquoise nugget weighing 249 pounds came from Arkansas.

It belongs to a mining company that mines in their property owned Mona Lisa Mine. The stunning crystal was found in 1982 and is now known as the largest known American-owned turquoise nugget.

The huge 249-pound boulder of turquoise was mined on Porter Mountain of the Mena Ranger District and is located in the Arkansas Novaculite Formation.

In 2010 Avant Mining Company was founded by James Zigras and in his 5th year he purchased 12,000 acres of mineral holdings along with 23 mines. Many of the quartz crystals found in the Mona Lisa Mine have been featured at the Smithsonian, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas, Yale, Harvard, and other distinguished universities. This mine is the only turquoise mine in the eastern half of the U.S.

The public dig is located at Avant Fisher Mountain in Mount Ida, Arkansas. It's time to channel your inner Indiana Jones for some adventure and fun in Mount Ida. The quartz crystal dig is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9-5 weather permitting. Mining permits must be purchased to dig and tool kits can be purchased too or bring your own as no power tools are allowed for digging. Anything you find you can keep. Quartz crystals can range in color with different variations of size and formation.

For prices on the public dig please visit their website.

There has always been something mysterious about finding crystals many believe they possess some magical power and others are just mystified by the sheer beauty of the clear-looking rock once it has been polished. Crystals make beautiful pieces of jewelry too.

There is also a private pocket dig where groups can dig the prices range from $1,000 to $10,000 per group with a maximum of three people. An experienced miner will guide you and your group through our Garfield Lewis Claim on Fisher Mountain to a freshly exposed pocket that has never been mined before.

To find out how much your crystals will be worth or to schedule an appointment in advance call 870- 985-9988. Avant Fisher Mountain is located at 11 Logan Gap Road, in Mt. Ida, Arkansas.

Now that the weather is warming up, now would be a great time to go digging. As I like to say, Let the adventure begin at Avant Fisher Mountain.