I have been to Fairy Stone State Park a few times over the years, and always wanted to find these fabulous little magical Fairy Stone crosses. This is my success story in finding these treasures.

Fairy Stone State Park has a little extra up its sleeve for treasure-hunters

ON THE ROAD

For that reason, I told our "on-the-road-all-the-time-marketing-manager" Tom Cervenak the next time he goes to Fairy Stone State Park to collect some stones for the state fair, to let me know. He has a booth at the state fair every year inviting everyone to visit Virginia State Parks.

I made the trip south to this park and I met up with Tom and his sidekick, a new summer intern named Nick. I wanted to get some photos of these magical stones to share with you all.

Our hunt was a success, and we hope the kids at the state fair in Richmond this fall will enjoy the spoils.

WHAT ARE 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 little crosses really 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?

Happy hunting ground for Fairy Stones (pretty simple huh?)

Look for this sign and a small parking lot behind the Pit Stop 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 ACTUALLY 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 for the magical fairy stone crosses

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

Nick found a few of each cross variety (Maltese, Roman and St Andrew)

I thought mine were really beautiful, you saw my collection in the top photo.

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. Click here for a Google map.

Click here to learn about overnight accommodations in cabins, lodge, campgrounds and yurts.

HOW TO GET TO THE HAPPY HUNTING GROUND

HAPPY HUNTING!