Where to Find Quartz Crystals in Northwest Territories: 3 Mapped Sites
Northwest Territories has 3 documented sites where quartz crystals have been reported, and the best-known are High Lake, Thor Lake, and Thor Lake Property. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Quartz Crystals Map: Northwest Territories
All 3 quartz crystals sites in Northwest Territories. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Quartz Crystals Are Found in Northwest Territories
Crystals line veins, pegmatite pockets, and vugs in many rock types; some famous finds come from cavities in dolostone. Vein quartz float on a hillside is the standard breadcrumb trail to a pocket zone.
The richest reported sites in Northwest Territories: High Lake, Thor Lake, Thor Lake Property.
All Quartz Crystals Sites in Northwest Territories
- High Lake — Other
- Thor Lake — Other
- Thor Lake Property — Other
How to Identify Quartz Crystals
Quartz crystals are six-sided prisms ending in a six-faced point: glassy, hardness 7 (scratches glass and a steel knife), breaking with conchoidal fracture instead of flat cleavage planes. Varieties are color names on the same crystal — smoky, rose, milky, citrine. Calcite mimics the look but scratches with a knife and fizzes in vinegar.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find quartz crystals in Northwest Territories?
Northwest Territories has 3 mapped sites where quartz crystals have been reported. The best-known are High Lake, Thor Lake, and Thor Lake Property. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many quartz crystals sites are mapped in Northwest Territories?
We have 3 documented quartz crystals sites in Northwest Territories, compiled from provincial geological survey records and community submissions, reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect quartz crystals in Northwest Territories?
Casual hand collecting is generally allowed on unclaimed Crown land in Northwest Territories, and prohibited in parks, on active mineral claims, and on private land without permission. Always verify land status before you dig.
How do I identify quartz crystal?
Quartz crystals are six-sided prisms ending in a six-faced point: glassy, hardness 7 (scratches glass and a steel knife), breaking with conchoidal fracture instead of flat cleavage planes. Varieties are color names on the same crystal — smoky, rose, milky, citrine. Calcite mimics the look but scratches with a knife and fizzes in vinegar.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
More to Find in Northwest Territories
Quartz Crystals in Nearby Provinces
Data: USGS Mineral Resources Data System — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.