New Jersey Fossils and Fluorescent Minerals
New Jersey packs three very different collecting experiences into a small state: Cretaceous shark teeth in Monmouth County brooks, glowing zinc minerals at Franklin and Sterling Hill, and quartz pebbles on Cape May beaches.
| Shark teeth | Big Brook Preserve (Colts Neck) and Poricy Park (Middletown) |
|---|---|
| Big Brook rules | Stream gravel only, posted daily limit, no digging banks; groups of 15+ need a permit |
| Fluorescent minerals | Franklin Mineral Museum Buckwheat Dump; Sterling Hill Mining Museum (fees) |
| Cape May diamonds | Sunset Beach, Cape May |
| Not allowed | Cape May Point State Park |
Monmouth County fossil brooks
Big Brook Preserve in Colts Neck and Poricy Park in Middletown are the classic sites. Late Cretaceous gravels yield shark teeth, belemnites, oysters and the occasional mosasaur tooth.
- Fossils in Big Brook Park belong to the township, county and state, and may only be taken under the park’s posted rules, which include a small daily limit.
- Collect in the stream gravel only. Do not dig into or climb the banks.
- Small hand screens and trowels are the norm. Groups of 15 or more need a permit.
- Park at the Hillsdale Road lot for Big Brook.
Franklin and Sterling Hill
The Franklin area is world-famous for fluorescent minerals. Franklin Mineral Museum’s Buckwheat Dump and Sterling Hill Mining Museum let visitors collect from mine dumps for a fee. Willemite glows green and calcite red under shortwave UV. Bring a UV light or use the museum’s.
Cape May diamonds
At Sunset Beach, clear quartz pebbles called Cape May diamonds wash up. Collecting is not allowed at Cape May Point State Park.
Questions
Can I keep shark teeth from Big Brook?
Yes, within the park’s posted rules and daily limit. Collect only in the stream, not from the banks.
Where can I collect fluorescent minerals in New Jersey?
At the Franklin Mineral Museum’s Buckwheat Dump and the Sterling Hill Mining Museum, for a fee.
Where do I find Cape May diamonds?
On Sunset Beach in Cape May. Collecting is not allowed in Cape May Point State Park.
Do I need a permit for Big Brook?
Not for small groups. Groups of 15 or more need a permit.
Back to the New Jersey rockhounding guide · Rules by land type