"Mom, I found one!" This sentence is often heard at the Gemstone Camp at the Steinkaulenberg Mine. We tried it ourselves and spent a day as treasure hunters. It was a real highlight for our whole family.
Adventure Underground: The Gemstone Mine
Our day began with a visit to the Steinkaulenberg mine. This is the only gemstone mine in Europe that can be visited.
Safety First: Each of us got a helmet.
Fascinating World: In the tunnel, it is cool and glittering. We saw agates, amethysts, and rock crystals directly in the rock.
Exciting Information: Our guide explained patiently how these gemstones were formed millions of years ago. Even the children listened with great interest.
Now it's time to dig: The gemstone camp
After the visit to the mine, the real fun began. We were allowed to search for treasures ourselves! On the digging field, everyone gets their own spot to dig.
Here's how it works:
You get a bucket, a sieve, and a small pickaxe.
You dig in the ground and search for sparkling stones.
The field is continually refilled with new material from the quarry.
The best part: We actually found something! After a short time, we already had quartz and jasper in the bucket. An employee helped us identify the stones. And the best part: Everything you find, you can keep and take home!
An experience for young and old
The facility is perfectly prepared for families:
There are covered areas for breaks.
There are clean toilets.
The search lasts about two hours – just the right amount of time for children.
