Strickland Quarry (Collins Hill)
About this location
Collins Hill, about 2.5 miles northeast of Portland, Middlesex County, Connecticut, is the site of the Strickland Quarry (also called the Collins Hill Quarry, and historically linked to the adjoining Cramer Mine) — one of New England's most famous granite pegmatite localities. Feldspar, mica, beryllium, niobium-tantalum, tin, and rare-earth minerals were worked here commercially, but it's the collector pockets that made Collins Hill famous: gem-quality aquamarine and golden beryl (crystals to 6 inches), garnet (to 2 inches), columbite-tantalite, black tourmaline (schorl), apatite, and well-formed quartz. A rose beryl crystal from here, 6 to 8 inches across, is a prized exhibit at Yale's Peabody Museum. The quarry is not open to casual walk-in visits — it's periodically opened for organized mineral-club collecting events.
Always seek permission where required, follow local laws, and practice Leave No Trace. Locations and details are community-submitted and may be inaccurate. Not sure what's legal here? Read our full guide to rockhounding laws by land type.
Found Here
- Beryl (aquamarine and golden beryl) — the site's signature find, with pocket crystals historically reaching 6 inches.
- Garnet — crystals up to about 2 inches, from pegmatite pockets.
- Columbite-tantalite, tourmaline (schorl), apatite, quartz — well documented from Strickland Quarry pockets.
- Rose Quartz, Smokey Quartz, Clear Quartz, Feldspar, Citrine, Bismuthinite — carried over from the DB list; quartz varieties and feldspar are consistent with this pegmatite's known mineralogy. Citrine and bismuthinite were not independently confirmed in the sources checked for this dossier.
Difficulty
Getting there
Collins Hill sits about 2.5 miles northeast of Portland, Middlesex County, Connecticut. No public entrance — access is by arranged club trip only (see below).
Collecting here
When access is arranged: pegmatite pocket-hunting, hammer and chisel work on feldspar/quartz-rich rock, watching for open pocket cavities. Hard hat recommended given quarry-wall conditions.
Know before you go
The Strickland Quarry/Collins Hill site is privately owned and not open for unsupervised public collecting. Periodic organized digs are run by mineral clubs — regional Connecticut and New England mineral clubs have historically arranged Strickland Quarry trips — check with a local club for current-year trip schedules before planning a visit. See Connecticut DEEP's general mineral collecting guidance for background.
Location on Map
Coordinates: 41.58827, -72.59160
Nearby rockhounding locations
- Pelton’s Quarry — Citrine, Rose QuartzCT · 1.2 mi
- Walden Gem Quarry — Albite, AquamarineCT · 2.1 mi
- Riverside Quarry — Aquamarine, BerylCT · 2.2 mi
- White Rocks Quarry — Beryl, TourmalineCT · 2.4 mi
- Hale’s Brook Quarries — Beryl, PegmatiteCT · 3.2 mi
- Middletown — Galena, ChalcopyriteCT · 2.6 mi
More Apatite locations in Connecticut
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the Strickland Quarry on Collins Hill in Portland, Connecticut?
Not without arranging it — the Strickland Quarry (Collins Hill) is privately owned and periodically opened only for organized mineral-club collecting events, not casual walk-in visits.
What is Collins Hill in Portland, Connecticut known for?
Collins Hill is home to the Strickland Quarry, one of New England's most famous granite pegmatite localities, known for gem aquamarine and golden beryl, garnet, columbite-tantalite, tourmaline, and quartz.
How big are the beryl crystals found at Collins Hill?
Pocket beryl crystals from the Strickland Quarry on Collins Hill have historically reached about 6 inches, including a notable rose beryl specimen 6 to 8 inches across now held by Yale's Peabody Museum.
⚠️ 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.
Sources
- Mindat, Strickland Quarry, Collins Hill locality — https://www.mindat.org/loc-3708.html — locality reference and mineral list (surfaced via WebSearch synthesis, not directly fetched per spec).
- Connecticut History (CTHumanities), "The Industrial Might of Connecticut Pegmatite" — https://connecticuthistory.org/the-industrial-might-of-connecticut-pegmatite/ — pegmatite mining history and context.
- Connecticut DEEP, Mineral Collecting — https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Geology/Mineral-Collecting — general access guidance.
Recommended Gear for Connecticut
Estwing E3-22P Rock Pick
The industry-standard 22oz geological hammer. One-piece forged steel with shock-reduction grip.
Clear Anti-Fog Safety Glasses (4 Pack)
Adjustable, anti-fog lenses for clear vision in any conditions. About $5 per pair.
Watertight Medical Kit
Compact, waterproof first aid kit with bandages, moleskin, and field essentials.
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