Sea Isle City, located on the southern New Jersey shore, is a beautiful beach town that draws thousands of visitors every summer. But beyond the sandy beaches, there are some interesting geological treasures that can be found here as well. Though not well-known for gemstone hunting, Sea Isle City has a diversity of minerals and crystals that can be found right on its beaches and in surrounding areas. Here are some of the natural gemstones you can find while exploring the outdoors in Sea Isle City:
Cape May diamonds are actually quartz crystals and not technically diamonds. But these sparkling clear quartz pebbles earned the “diamond” moniker due to their likeness to the precious gem. Cape May diamonds originate from a deposit of quartz sand below the Atlantic Ocean. Over thousands of years, currents and wave action eroded, tumbled, and smoothed the quartz into the rounded pebble shapes we find today.
Cape May diamonds can range from very small to a few inches long. They are abundant on many beaches along the Jersey Shore, including Sea Isle City's. To find them, look along the high tide line right at the water's edge or on wet sand where waves recede. After storms or rough surf is the best time to search. Cape May diamonds glisten in the sun, but can also be spotted by their white color contrasting against the dark wet sand.
Amazonite is a green variety of microcline feldspar. It can be found occasionally mixed in with regular feldspar, quartz, and muscovite mica on the beaches in Sea Isle City. Amazonite ranges from a light pastel green to a bolder blue-green. It gets its name from its resemblance to the green color of the Amazon River.
Amazonite crystals are uncommon compared to quartz, so searching for them requires some patience. But a sharp eye may be rewarded by spotting a feldspar pebble that displays that distinctive greenish tint. Pieces of amazonite are usually opaque rather than transparent. Tumbling any rough pieces found can help polish them into lovely gemstones.
Muscovite mica is a common metallic mineral that splits into thin, transparent sheets. It has a pearly, iridescent sheen and can be found sparkling along the shoreline in Sea Isle City. Collecting pieces of muscovite mica can yield mineral specimens that resemble hammered metal or silver leaf.
Fresh pieces of muscovite mica have very sharp edges. As mica stones tumble in the ocean over time, the edges become rounder and the thin sheets may split apart. Look for glittering flakes of mica mixed in with sea glass and rocks. Mica can range from colorless to various shades of white, silver, brown, or green. Interesting pieces can be incorporated into arts and crafts.
Jasper is an opaque and patterned variety of cryptocrystalline quartz that comes in many different colors and designs. Red jasper is the most common type found along the Jersey Shore. Jasper forms in nodules, usually as a result of volcanic processes. Tumbling in the ocean breaks down jasper nodules, smoothing their exterior and revealing the artistic designs within the stone.
Jasper pebbles display multicolored abstract patterns, normally in red, green, and yellow hues. The diversity of jasper designs found on the beaches in Sea Isle City is astounding. Every single piece has a unique and interesting landscape trapped within that tells a geologic story. Tumbled jasper stones make great souvenirs to take home from a beach trip.
Hunting for Cape May diamonds, amazonite, mica, jasper, and other interesting rocks and minerals is a fun outdoor activity for all ages in Sea Isle City. Even if you don’t find any gemstones, enjoying the ocean breeze while searching the shoreline is a relaxing way to spend time by the sea. Equipped with a discerning eye and a little patience, you just may uncover some beautiful and free natural treasures waiting to be discovered.
