Magnet Cove

Magnet Cove is nestled in the Ouachita Mountains of central Arkansas, specifically in Hot Spring County, about 12 miles southeast of Hot Springs. This small town, with a population of around 692 as of 2020, is accessible via Arkansas Highway 51 and is known for its rich mineral deposits, attracting collectors and geologists worldwide.

The area boasts over 100 different minerals, with standout examples including magnetite (often found as lodestone), rutile, anatase, brookite, and perovskite. It's particularly famous as the type locality for five unique minerals: Benstonite, Delindeite, Kimzeyite, Lourenswalsite, and Schorlomite, meaning these were first discovered and described here. Geologically, Magnet Cove features an alkalic igneous complex from the Mesozoic era, intruded into older Paleozoic sediments, with rock types like carbonatite and nepheline syenite, formed from cooling magma below the surface.

Mining began in the early 20th century, with the Magnet Cove Rutile Company operating from 1934 to 1944 for rutile extraction, and other mines like the Union Carbide Christy Vanadium Mine active in the past. Currently, there are no commercial mining activities, but the area remains a hotspot for rockhounding. Local culture is deeply tied to mineral collecting, with Joe W. Kimzey, a local promoter and state geologist, having a mineral named after him, kimzeyite, reflecting the community's geological passion.

Magnet Cove experiences a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters. January is the coldest month, with temperatures ranging from 33.6°F to 49.6°F, while April sees the most rainfall, with 14.3 days and 4.53 inches of precipitation. Snowfall occurs occasionally, averaging 1.89 inches annually, which may influence the exposure of mineral deposits through weathering.