Fabulous Fairy Stones!

For many years people held these little crosses in superstitious awe, firm in the belief that they protected the wearer against witchcraft, sickness, accidents and disaster. Fairy stones are staurolite, a combination of silica, iron and aluminum. Staurolite crystallizes at 60 or 90 degree angles, hence the stone's cross-like structure. Found only in rocks once subjected to great heat and pressure, the mineral was formed long, long ago, during the rise of the Appalachian Mountains. The stones are most commonly shaped like St. Andrew’s cross, an "X," but "T" shaped Roman crosses and square Maltese crosses are the most sought-after. The rare staurolite stones are found elsewhere but not in such abundance as at Fairy Stone State Park.

Where can you hunt Fairy Stones?

This is often asked, so I wanted to take a few photos and show you EXACTLY where you can hunt them, and a little technique for finding some for yourself! When you go to Fairy Stone State Park you will receive a brochure at the gate which will have descriptions of the Fairy Stones, the Legend and also directions to this hunting ground on VA-57.

The reason I say go to the park first, is you really want this brochure to show people along with the Fairy Stones you find, or they just won't get how special these are.

Look for this landmark to find the happy hunting grounds (by the way they had the best gas prices around and were full service. Isn't that just so hospitable? I hope you filler-up there!)

This is the happy hunting ground for Fairy Stones (pretty simple huh?)

Look for this sign and a small parking lot behind the gas station

You can collect them by hand only, no digging tools allowed (and keep what you find)

Nick and Tom celebrating their successful hunt (or was it because they found more than me?)

How do you find them?

There are a few ways to find them, but to save your back and your eyes, I recommend just locating a spot and plopping right down on the ground and start sifting the red dirt in your hands. Tom believes the best Fairy Stones are caught in and around the roots and tree stumps (so you may wish to listen to Tom on this one, he is the professional Fairy Stone plucker).

Look for a location like this and plop right down to search

This is Nick's method for hunting Fairy Stones (but he was a green-horn like me)

Nick found a few of each variety (Maltese, Roman and St Andrew), he wanted me to show you this state parks nifty bracelet thingy he wore in the photo too

I thought mine were really beautiful (you saw my collection in the top photo along with the polished one I purchased a few years ago and put on a leather rope)

How to get to Fairy Stone State Park

Fairy Stone State Park is just one hour from Roanoke. Drive times:Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., six hours (from Washington, DC); Richmond, four hours; Tidewater/ Norfolk/Virginia Beach, five hours; less than 2 hours from Greensboro and Martinsville is only a 15-20 minute drive!