The area is covered with small mines but the most important are the Kelly, Juanite, and the Waldo-Graphic mines. Other Fee Dig sights to check out include: http://epswww.unm.edu/harding/harding_.htm, and www.peaktopeak.com/blanchard/. The area is set aside for the non-commercial collecting of agate, jasper, and petrified wood. Many of these old mine sites offer the chance for rockhounds to collect specimens of fluorite. If youre planning on heading to the field, make sure you have all the gear youll need! One of the most famous agates in the world is one that can only be found in the U.S. and Canada The Lake Superior agate. The state park amenities for campers and travelers make it a great camping spot or road-tripping stopover point as well. Its all about the unique plumes that make up each stone, creating a huge variety of differences even in the same location. For ease of reference, Ill break up the state into the four regions shown on the map below. While finding agates is often as simple as walking around and picking up any pretty rocks you see, there are a lot of tips and tricks that will save you quite a bit of time and backaches. There are lots of great places to rockhound in New Mexico and a rich variety of rocks and minerals can be found. Dig Your Own Amethyst Crystals: The Diamond Willow Mine Offers a Unique Experience! If you go early in the morning or late in the day, the angle of the sunlight will catch the colorful, translucent agates at an advantageous angle, making them much easier to spot. If you do happen to find a good spot, chances are you will be able to go back to that location over and over again and still be able to find more agates, especially if there is a storm or two between visits. (Complete Guide), A Turquoise Standoff: The Story of a Woman Standing Her Ground in Nevadas Mining World. Depending on your local geology you may also be able to find agates in conglomerates that have formed from volcanic source rock. Areas that the Willamette River and its tributaries run through, Oregons forests, desert areas, and the coastline house numerous types of agates, thundereggs, jaspers, petrified wood, fossils, obsidian, and more. $187.77 (10% off) FREE shipping. Remember! Since most agates form in the pockets left by gas bubbles in solidified lava flows, they tend to be roughly spherical or oblong in shape. Plumes are a bit different than moss, although the similar look can make them a bit confusing. The term fluorescence, was derived from this gemstone. Most commonly they are a reddish orange with alternating white bands. I'm Mike Rhea, and I'm a professional Geologist with a passion for rocks, minerals, and everything related to Geology. The key is in finding and identifying the rare stuff, such as Fairburn Agates, and separating it from the rest of the material in an area. The most commonly found minerals in New Mexico are: If youve already found a rock and youre not sure what it is, I would highly recommend checking out my Practical Rock Identification System. This copper mine is still operating today and is known as the Chino Copper Mine. 2, p. 22 The beautiful, unique forms make each piece different, regardless of the design of the metal. These locations offer a diverse array of rock and mineral specimens such as agate, jasper, petrified wood, turquoise, and copper. BTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? Agates can sometimes be found in gravel pits and on dirt roads. These unique and collectible specimens are only found in this region of New Mexico, making them a favorite among crystal collectors. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; San Jon, NM 88434, USA. . Hopefully, you find a bunch of agates on your rockhounding trip. More Info about our Privacy Policy (GDPR-EU), Metaphysical Defintion and Healing Crystals, State Gemstones, Rocks, Fossils and Minerals, Sonora Sunset, Sonora Sunrise, or Chrysocolla Cuprite, Imperial Jasper and Royal Imperial Jasper, Silver Sheen Obsidian or Gold Sheen Obsidian, Quartz, Rose Quartz, Aventurine, Citrine, Smoky Quartz, Amethyst, http://epswww.unm.edu/harding/harding_.htm, All About Macrocrystalline Quartz-Part 3 Quartz Crystal Formations, All About Macrocrystalline Quartz-Part 2 Inclusions, Sheen, Phenomena, All About Macrocrystalline Quartz-Part 1 The Basics. Find out the main differences between real and fake agate in the article below: You can break the smaller rocks or dig deeper depending on what you want to do. Give it a thought before you head out, its more complete than we can get into with this small article. If your local area has volcanic rock beds that have been exposed by road cuts then you may be in luck. One of the most common questions rockhounds have is whether or not they are allowed to collect at a certain location. The inclusions can form in different ways, ranging from complex 3D shapes to simple coloration, which is what makes the family so varied. These mines are located on Gila National Forest and open for collecting. The New Mexico state gemstone is Turquoise. As such, no matter which direction one takes from the Casitas on a single day's outing, there are excellent collecting sites to be discovered. Any vertebrate finds like dinosaurs or bony fish remain property of the state, and there are steep penalties for collecting them. Many of these sites are on federal land and therefore managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Youll need to do some research into the local geology of your area, of course, because only specific kinds of rock produce or contain agates. The books listed below are the best ones you can find on the internet (Amazon links): Still did not find the answer to your answers about finding agate rocks? (984 Results) From handmade pieces to vintage treasures ready to be loved again, Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. 114,000 talking about this. An individual specimen may be a bit off due to the way its been cut. Some agates that were found in this area display different colors depending on which side the rock is illuminated from. Coloration depends largely on what metallic compound creates the illusion. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "false"; The reason for going at low tide is because more of the beach will be exposed, giving you more ground to cover. 15 Abandoned Places In New Mexico That Nature Is Reclaiming And as an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission on qualifying purchases after clicking on those links, at no additional cost to you. If youre searching in good sunlight (especially in the morning or evening) the sun may cause the agates to show themselves more clearly. As mineral-laden water precipitates through the rock over time, it leaves behind concentric circles of microcrystalline quartz. (What They Are and How To Find Them) Top 10 Agate Hunting Tips For Rockhounds. . Our premium selection of ethically sourced minerals will delight any crystal enthusiast. The different varieties of agate stem from the myriad impurities and accessory minerals that accompany the quartz during the formation of the agate. Other sources include: Minnesota Rockhounding Location Guide & Map, 11 Gifts Rock Collectors Will Love (And Dont Already Have). Dendritic agate also falls under this umbrella, having a similar pattern but less clarity in most cases. Old mines exist all over the hills just west of Shakespeare. When Suzi and I moved south in New Mexico in 2001 and had settled in to our new location in this wonderful state it came to my attention that we were in fact in fire agate country. Most of the obvious mineral veins have been picked clean along with much of the surface specimens since the area is designated for rockhounds. Agates From Mexico - Etsy Where Can I Find Agate Rocks? Best Places in the US & World In recent days, agate is mostly a reference to any kind of transparent, including chalcedony. Organ, NM, USA. We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Rockhounds can also hope to find other mineral specimens including aragonite, onyx, jasper, and even some gold. Varieties of agate, jasper, chert, or petrified wood are found in 15 of New Mexico's 32 counties. It is, simply put, the most comprehensive and easy-to-understand rock identification system youll find anywhere. New Mexico. Jeremy is a professional writer, but his real passion lies with stones. Dig Your Own Amethyst Crystals: The Diamond Willow Mine Offers a Unique Experience! The entire rock may not present the distinctive banding it depends on how it has eroded over time. Sometimes they are extremely easy to spot, but in some cases they are almost impossible to distinguish from other rocks without a practiced eye and more meticulous work. Agates are well known for their color banding, and those colors can run the gamut from red, orange, yellow, gray, pink, black, blue, and green. It is the responsibility of each rockhound to obtain permission from a landowner to search and/or collect on a piece of property. Its also found near Thunder Bay in Canada which is also one of the shores of Lake Superior. In the U.S., agates are most commonly found along the shores of the Great Lakes, the beaches of the Pacific Coast, and in the deserts of many western states. This website also participates in Google Adsense. Fire agates are found in New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Now there are many abandoned mines in western New Mexico, and a lot of them are located on public lands. One of the most profitable rock and mineral mining areas is in the Magdalena Mountains near Socorro in central New Mexico. In New Mexico numerous rock and mineral mines were developed and worked beginning in the early 1800s. To name a few, let's start with regular agate specimens, which you can find in the south side of Abiquiu Lake, Sante Fe National Forest, or the Mexican Gulch area. Agates can be found all over the country (and the world), so just because you dont see a location listed near you doesnt mean that youre out of luck. Iris agates appear to be mostly transparent chalcedony with a bit of white banding. You can find these rocks on public land in many cases, and then search them for fossils. Iris agate is sometimes used in jewelry but only displays well in earrings due to the nature of the optical qualities. . Azurite is best known for its namesake deep blue azure color, which seems to reflect the deep blue dusk hour skies of the desert southwest. Another famous agate thats found in Montana is the Dryhead Agate, which is most often found in the form of nodules that feature red, orange, white, and brown fortification banding surrounded by darker colors. Theyre found near the Big Horn River and the Pryor Mountains. Agates form as secondary mineral deposits inside of cavities (called vesicles) in host rock, most commonly in the remnants of ancient gas pockets in volcanic rock. The locality of a stone is often included in the name and small differences in appearance. Simple Explanation. Geodes. Follow These Simple Steps, Real vs. But since theyre so widespread, you need to know exactly where theyre found in each country and state to save yourself a lot of time and effort. Be safe, never go underground, and make sure to get permission from the landowner to search for and collect specimens. Compared to the rest of the state Northeastern New Mexico is relatively lacking in rockhounding sites, but there are still many worthwhile locations to investigate. Beautiful Magnetite and Pyrite comes from that mine. In one of the more rock-collecting-limited areas of the state, the vast deserts of southeast New Mexico, you can actually find peridot. This is a big part of the reason it can be helpful to understand your local geology when hunting for agates. Best Rockhounding Locations in and Around Albuquerque Arizona Rockhounding Location Guide & Map - Rockhound Resource Thundereggs. Naturally, us rockhounds want to know where we can find our own. I enjoy collecting and tumbling rocks with my daughter and traveling the world with my wife seeing geologic wonders. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There are many types of agates and some can only be found in specific locations while others are found across numerous continents. Sometimes these gravelly areas can also be quite dusty, especially if its been a while since the last rain. Thats only the beginning, variable colors run deep in this particular mineral. Ethically Sourced Minerals. The basalt beds around Luna, New Mexico have produced several similar types of agates passed as just "Luna Agates" which leads to the confusion with purple colored Luna Agate from Mexico. The inclusions take the form of botryoidal formations of iridescent minerals inside of clear chalcedony. There are very specific spots that are known to have agates and those are the locations you need to start from. These formations are fractions of a millimeter thick, making fire agate much trickier to cut properly than most agates. I'm Mike Rhea, and I'm a professional Geologist with a passion for rocks, minerals, and everything related to Geology. Other people like to bring a 5-gallon bucket along with them which works just fine, although I find that to be a lot more cumbersome and uncomfortable. Theyre always a nice surprise when you pull them off the saw! While there are no shortages of sites or minerals to collect, caution should be taken when venturing into the sparsely populated and difficult to access wilderness in which they reside. On the other hand, in some areas, you can find them where long seams have been eroded and passed into a river. So where can you find agates? Theyre still the best palace to start for the casual rockhound. The locations you can source for Agates in New Mexico are Santa Fe National Forest, near the Rio Grande river, and Rockhound state park. Lake Superior agates often have a reddish hue which is a result of iron oxide staining. Fluorite, calcite, galena, smoky quartz, and barite are found in this mine suited for rockhounds of all experience levels. Lots of lead ores came from this area, and some truly fine smithsonite! Worldwide distribution of peridot is fairly limited. New Mexico is a popular state for searching for a range of rocks, minerals, and gems. If youre looking for a decent guide to New Mexicos minerals, you can check out Rockhounding New Mexico: A Guide To 140 Of The States Best Rockhounding Sites. Though there are many locations listed here, this list is far from exhaustive. . Other great rockhounding sites in the area include Pedernal Park, Abiquiu Lake, and localities in Carson National Forest. Dwarves Earth Treasures: New Mexico Luna Agates from Grant Co., New Mexico 8. Found some pretty decent rainbow petrified wood and black petrified wood, also found a. Two rockhound areas offer world-class fire agate collecting Central New Mexico, Unpolished Slab. In New Mexico, its distribution can be isolated and patchy but its present in many corners of the state. Ideally, youd like to plan your trip around low tide, so show up shortly before the water is at its lowest point to give yourself the biggest window of opportunity. The best rockhounding spots for finding agates in Colorado are Wolf Creek Pass on route 160, Felch Creek, and Houselog Creek. Its main color is reddish-brown but it features a beautiful play of orange, gold, or green when viewed from different angles. The many mines and expansive desert landscapes provide countless prospective rockhounding sites and a diverse spread of rocks and minerals to be found. The majority of these locations are my interpretation of Robert Bestes A Location Guide for Rock Hounds in the United States. These days he can be found in his workshop, setting the stones he dreamed of as a child. Other prominent agate-producing states include Minas Gerais, Gois, Par, Piau, Paraba, and the Tocantins. Rockhounding In New Mexico! (Complete Guide) - Rock Seeker Agates take their form from the vesicle in which they originated. Positively Agate. I would recommend checking mindat.org for specific locations wherever you live. Below are some of the best locations to find Lake Superior agates in all three states. The truth is that your best bet is always to get to know the locals, but this book can make a close second. The Montana Moss Agate is another interesting agate thats found in the Yellowstone region, especially Yellowstone National Park, which is a part of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho (links to ultimate rockhounding guides). 6. Its often compared to opal in terms of iridescence. Agates can present themselves very differently depending on your location. At that stage, agates are only a silica-rich gel before pressure and time create the stones we know and love. 119; 123; 126; 8.9mm X 7.9mm ; 11mm X 9mm; 8.9mm X 7.9mm.41" X .25".43" X .33 . Bear Mountain Thundereggs - Sailor Energy Lexicon | Agates | Geology and Soil | Data | School of Natural A good hammer and pick are definitely recommended. Well ignore trade names for the time being so that we can focus on the good stuff: the actual differences between types of agate. Turquoise. This beautiful mineral is widely used in jewelry and has become an integral part of the Southwests aesthetic. Ethically Sourced Minerals. Its located about two hours south of Albuquerque on Highway 380 at mile marker 30. 3 x 3 x 3 Geode with stalactites. If you do a little research on your local area you may very likely find at least one location that is known to produce agates. Certainly there are exceptions, but in my experience youd be pretty lucky to find an agate much larger than that. That may sound trivial, but it will save your back from a world of hurt! New Mexico: The thundereggs of the Bear Mountain are known for many decades and widely visited by local rock clubs, but they still can be found even today despite the complains by local rockhounds about not finding anything except small ones. Its is one of only two state parks in the U.S. that allows and even encourages visitors to keep something from the park. It comes in light blues and earth tones. Youre looking for sedimentary layers of rock such as limestone. The trick is in knowing what actually makes up each type of agate. Highly valuable specimens are stored away in humidity and light-controlled areas free of fluctuations, and not on the mantle shelf. I like to bring a satchel, or sometimes even my favorite backpack for rockhounding. Thank you for visiting Agates With Inclusions, please come again! Montana is actually quite famous for its agates which have been one of their official state gemstones since 1969, along with sapphire. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Jornada Valley, area 13 mi. The choppy water and heavy wave action tend to transport and uncover fresh agates, so those beaches tend to make for much better rockhounding destinations than calmer beaches. Rockhound State Park is in southwestern New Mexico near the town of Deming. Rockhounding | Silver City | Lodging - Gila Simple Explanation, 9 Best Places to Dig and Find Crystals in the USA + Useful Tips. This means that if you know where to search and what to look for youll probably be able to find an agate in almost any country in the world! In Mexico, you can find both fire agates and Laguna agates. The fire agates are found south of Arizona whereas Laguna agates are prevalent in Estacion Ojo Laguna, in the state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico. While limited, there are quite a few places you can dig for it. Eye Agate A US Forest Service map or USGS map will show many locations of these old mines and can be a vital tool if you are going to look for fluorite. Some people describe it as looking like a potato skin generally fairly round and smooth, but with some rough spots and pits on the surface. This article will dive deeper into the many great rockhounding sites across the state, but Id like to highlight a few standouts here. Consider digging and scouring in old mine tailings or exposed cuts in the hillside. Each region will have its own list of rockhounding locations with an accompanying map. Seam agates arent found as often by collectors, since you generally have to knock apart some stone to get good samples. The powerful, constant wave action, tidal forces, and large currents provide the perfect geological setting for both the erosion and transportation required to expose agates. They tend to be found in large sizes under the blanket of pine needles. Gem-quality fluorite is produced from deposits in Bernalillo, Catron, Dona Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Lincoln, Luna, Rio Arriba, Socorro, Sierra, and Taos Counties. A good specimen is amazing on the shelf, and it can be cut using the visuals of the stone to great effect. The ownership and status of land can and does change frequently, making it impossible to document accurate information on this page. These include translucency (if you hold a flashlight behind or in front of the rock, you will notice transparent areas, especially near the edges), a waxy exterior (especially if the rock is broken or chipped and the exposed area has a waxy feel) and bands inside the rock (once you open it). Find frequently asked questions in the section below: Agates are generally not expensive rocks on their own (in terms of material) but some types are rarer than others, harder to find, or more difficult to extract (labor costs) making them a bit more expensive than the others. Either way, the digging is in the desert, so you should be prepared for hot weather to go with your hot finds. Use this resource as a guide to get you started. Other minerals which are fairly unique to the state include Apache tears and Pecos diamonds which are actually double-terminated quartz crystals. TIP: Fake agates have flooded online shops these days. While agates are relatively common, they cant be found just anywhere. The distinct color and translucence of agates really makes them pop in contrast to most other rocks youre likely to find on a beach. Either way, the digging is in the desert, so you should be prepared for hot weather to go with your hot finds. One of the defining characteristics of agate is that its translucent. This lake is accessible from 3 different states: north-western Wisconsin, northeastern Minnesota, and northern Michigan. The Ultimate Guide to Rockhounding Tools and Supplies. Northeast New Mexico is "where the plains meet the mountains." Visit Capuln Volcano National Monument, an extinct volcanic cone (inactive now for 10,000 years) and you can say you saw the plains of Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. Some of those places are public but others are private and rockhounding there is forbidden (or in some cases a fee needs to be paid). Flickr/Tony Hoffarth. South of Lordsburg, New Mexico theres an old ghost town by the name of Shakspeare. Mexican Agates. The chance to find peridot is a unique opportunity only found in this area of the state. Named after the brightly colored Mexican Sarape Blanket, this agate is another new find in Chihuahua, Mexico. This is the place to go for the famous Pecos diamonds, which are actually very attractive double-terminated quartz crystals. New Mexico is one of the archetypes of the American desert Southwest. Easy rockhounding on road beds in the Jemez MountainsGo east from the Paliza Campground near Ponderosa, New Mexico on Forest Service Road 266 to find agate, . Most agates that youll find will be about walnut sized or smaller. Its not likely to be easy to find and collect a large quantity of gem-quality turquoise yourself, but there are certainly many locations where you can go with the hopes of finding your own turquoise specimens. Petrified Wood. The best places to find turquoise in New Mexico are: These mining districts each contain many mines, both active and abandoned, and care should be taken to ensure you have permission to search and collect wherever you go. The state is full of biological and geological diversity. 9 Different Types of Agate (With Pictures) - Rock Seeker The site is located approximately 40 air miles from both Las Cruces, NM and El Paso, TX. Beads dating back to 5000 BC have been found in Iraq. Unfortunately for rockhounds, the law in most states prohibits them from publishing their names or contact information online. That constant motion polishes the rocks, making them extremely beautiful and relatively easy to spot. In the U.S., agates are most commonly found along the shores of the Great Lakes, the beaches of the Pacific Coast, and in the deserts of many western states. If there are agates anywhere on the beach, theyll likely be mixed in with that gravel. Theyre translucent, orange/brown agates with black dendrites. The area is set aside for the non-commercial collecting of agate, jasper, and petrified wood. Also keep in mind that you dont have to limit yourself to road cuts any sort of freshly exposed rock faces will make for a potential agate hunting location. They are also some of the most highly sought after rocks for rock tumbling hobbyists (myself included) because of how amazing they look once polished. Plumes are, quite often, multicolor as well. This drive takes you through the ghost town in New Mexico known as Organ and, while the town isn't an official stop on the map, it has more than its share of derelict places.