Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines, Mount Ida

Did my research before coming to Arkansas and thought Wegner was the best option. I was very satisfied. Every staff person I encountered was friendly. Lance, our guide, was funny, informative and helpful. If you are a first timer like me don’t think you are going to walk around and find 2” crystals everwhere. I put in some work digging and left with multiple sets of clusters and dozens of small crystals. The more work you are will to do, the more you’ll find. I went for quantity over quality because I don’t know how to dig the veins. I would recommend without hesitation.

The shop has a lot of beautiful crystals, and was worth looking at- but there were no instructions or signs on what to do. Once we finally got up to the register we were given a brochure that was placed where you could hardly see it. The workers were not very pleasant. They only have pickings, which are delivered each day. You use your hands and find them. (Good for kids) Then actual digging, which has two shuttles per day. Early, then 1:30pm which didn't work for us, as we arrived at 12:30. We were mocked that we should wait around or go back into town. We found crystal Vista, which is an FREE abandon mine down the road. It is a small hike, and has a much similar feel. There was quartz and citrine naturally occurring. Without paying to be around a bunch of people and shuttled around in the heat! .