The dig site is located on the west side of the lake just northwest of the city of Jet. Every year they open a different section of the wildlife refuge for digging. The place to dig is visibly marked with signs. Anywhere ells are marked with NO DIGGING signs. You can see where the previous year’s dig area was from the visible holes are where people dug. This is the National Wildlife website on digging.
There are a few things you will want to bring with you when you go to dig for selenite crystals:
•Tools to dig, these can be a shovel to get your hole started, a small hand shovel to move small amounts of sand. I use a cup to splash water.
•Water, depending on when you go there may be a lot of water in the holes to use or little. Either way it is handy to have extra to wash of specimens you find or to wash yourself and your tools off before you head home.
•A box or egg carton to put your treasures in to safely get them home. I like to let them dry and then wrap them in a paper towel or tissue then place them in a box.
•Something to sit on or kneel on. I tend to bring a flat pool toy to lay on so I can dig easier.
•A hat and sunscreen. I cannot stress this enough, I have gotten sunburnt out there more times than I can count.
•An extra pair of clothing or a swimsuit. As a kid I would wear a swimsuit and sit in the holes. Not I tend to where cloths that I don’t mind getting wet or messy and just bring extras. Same with shoes. I often go barefoot or wear flipflops.
•Drinking water and snacks. (please make sure to take your stuff with you when you leave.)
How to dig to find what you want:
There are many ways that people dig and it really just depends on what you want to find. (
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These a very useful videos that gives a lot of information and different styles of crystals: (
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The Crystals are not that far down, just a few inches to 2 feet. If you want to find clusters, you need to be very gentle while digging. I often put my shovel in the ground and push it in until I hear a slight crunch. If you hear that that means you have hit a crystal. Using an existing hole is also very useful. Sometimes I will walk around looking at the discarded crystals left behind to see what kind are in that hole. Different areas will have different types. If you are not finding what you want, don’t be afraid to move around, but it can also take time so don’t worry if it takes some time to get the hang of it.
There is no need to fill back in your hole once dug. Time and rain will do that for you.
It can be very windy and if it is dry it can feel like you are getting sand blasted.
Also, There is salt everywhere so it would be wise to wash your vesical after driving out where.