Hourglass Selenite

​Last summer (2022) I heard about a location in Oklahoma where people could dig for "hourglass selenite"-- selenite with sand and silt inclusions. After doing some research, I discovered the place wasn't too far of a drive from where I live in Texas.

The salt flats are only open April through part of October, with the other months closed to protect migratory birds at the adjacent wildlife refuge, but crystal digging is free (with some stipulations) and I'm always eager for a geology trip.

Driving onto the salt plains, areas were marked off where digging was allowed that season. These areas get changed periodically to protect the land. The entire salt flat area felt eerily like a giant beach with no ocean; considering this was underwater at one point, I suppose it was fitting.

Digging was easy, but dirty and addictive. I had convinced my mom to come with me for this adventure ​(we camped at the nearby state park the night before) and, although neither of us found any exceptionally large crystals, we both found several nice ones.

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