Paint Rock Agate Alabama? Quick Answer

Alabama is a surprisingly productive state for rock and mineral collecting. The state can be divided into two main regions: the northeastern part of the state, which is mountainous and structurally complex, and the rest of the state, which consists mostly of relatively flat coastal plain.

The surface rocks of the northeastern portion of the state are composed largely of metamorphic rocks such as shale, schist, phyllite, quartzite, and marble. This geological setting makes it a great source of all types of pegmatite minerals. The southern portion of the state, while less geologically exciting, can still produce great specimens of gem quality minerals.

The best places to collect rocks in Alabama are the areas around Tuscaloosa, Ashland, Rockford, and Alexander City. You can also pan for gold and gems at the Alabama Gold Camp. These sites offer a diverse range of rocks and minerals such as agate, jasper, petrified wood, quartz and garnet.

State Rock Marble State Mineral Hematite State Gem Star Blue Quartz State Fossil Basilosaurus cetoides Alabama: Source Blue Quartz Cluster

If you’ve already found a rock and aren’t sure what it is, I’d highly recommend checking out my handy rock identification system. This information pack includes a book, videos and online tools. It is, quite simply, the most comprehensive and easy to understand rock identification system you will find anywhere.

You can also read my free rock identification guide and mineral identification guide, which is filled with useful information and resources.

Through quite a bit of research and cross-referencing, I’ve put together this list of some potential locations in Alabama that I would recommend for people looking to rockhound. These consist primarily of old mines, mineral deposits and historically known rock and mineral collection sites. For additional reading, I highly recommend Southeast Treasure Hunter’s Gem & Mineral Guide: Where & How to Dig, Pan and Mine Your Own Gems & Minerals, which you can find on Amazon.

Please remember that stone collection locations are constantly changing. Specimens may have been exhausted by other collectors, the site may have been developed or altered, locations in the literature may be inaccurate, and ownership may have changed hands. Although many locations are listed here, this list is far from complete. Listing a location here is not a guarantee of accuracy. Be on the safe side, never go underground and get permission from the landowner to look for and collect specimens.

If you plan to hit the field, make sure you have all the gear you need! To get started, you can check out my recommended gear page. This page contains my full reviews for every geologist’s favorite rock hammer and the best hiking backpack I’ve ever owned.

Alabama Rockhounding Locations

Important disclaimer: I haven’t been to these places myself and don’t know if they are currently open for collecting. Use this resource as a guide to get started. Follow the signs and always get the property owner’s permission to collect.

NOTE: All GPS coordinates listed in these tables are clickable and will take you to the location on Google Maps.

Ashland, AL

The Ashland area of ​​Clay County has some great gathering spots for a variety of rocks and minerals. If you know where to look you can find all types of mineral specimens including apatite, garnet, smoky quartz, garnet, kyanite and tourmaline. There are also several pegmatite outcrops in the area that contain beautiful muscovite books. Here are some of the best places to collect rocks and minerals in the Ashland, AL area.

Rockford, AL

In Rockford and the surrounding area there are many documented finds of mica, beryl, aquamarine, cassiterite and many other gem quality crystals and minerals. These are mainly found in pegmatite veins in the shale and gneiss outcrops of the area. The area is dotted with old mines and beautiful outcrops containing an abundance of relatively high quality rocks and minerals if you know where to look. Here are some places to collect rocks and minerals near Rockford, AL.

Alexander City, AL

Tallapoosa County, where Alexander City is located, has a history of gold mining (albeit fairly uneconomical). There are many active and inactive quarries in this area that produce a very wide variety of gemstones and minerals. High quality specimens of epidote, feldspar, hematite, quartz and even some corundum are relatively common in the area. Many of the best places to search are around Lake Martin.

Erin, AL

Erin isn’t even a town – from what I’ve researched, it is (or was) a stop along a railroad line. Still, there is a lot of good rockhounding to do in this area, with a great variety of rocks and minerals to find. Railroad breaks and old prospects offer a variety of places to search. Depending on where you look, you can hope to find specimens of turquoise, apatite, beryl, albite, chlorite, garnet, and many others.

Tuscaloosa, AL

There are few great places to look for beautiful rocks and minerals in and around Tuscaloosa. I would particularly recommend checking creek beds in the area, but there are also some old open pit mines and dumps that may still be productive. You can hope to find some fine specimens of some of my favorite rocks and minerals here, including agate, chalcedony, jasper, kyanite, quartz, and petrified wood. If you are lucky you can even find some fossils in this area.

Alabama Gold Camp

If you’re interested in panning for gold, or just want a more structured environment in which to rockhound, I recommend checking out the Alabama Gold Camp. This is a pay to dig site in Lineville, AL where you can pan for gold. According to their website, you can also find garnets, fossils, and citrines on the property. You can rent a “mining hut” on the property for $75 per night.

Tip: Check out my Complete Rock Tumbling Guide to really make your rocks and gems shine!

Alabama Rockhounding Laws and Regulations

One of the most common questions Rockhounds have is whether or not they are allowed to collect in a certain location. It is the responsibility of each Rockhound to obtain permission from a landowner to search and/or collect a property.

Land ownership and status can and does change frequently, making it impossible to document accurate information on this site. However, I’ve compiled a list of resources here so you can do your own research and get permission for all locations (here or elsewhere).

Public Land Resources

I’ve written entire articles covering Rockhound laws and regulations for almost every type of public land you can think of. I encourage you to check them out if you are curious about the legalities of collecting rocks and minerals.

To determine what type of public land a particular location is on, I would recommend starting with this map from the Arkansas Public Lands Database, which contains accurate maps of every type of public land in the state.

Private Land Resources

As in most states, each county in Alabama will have a record of who owns each property. Unfortunately for rockhounds, the law prohibits them from posting their names or contact information online. You can obtain the name and address of the property owner from the district registry office. This website has links to each County Assessor’s Office where you can look up all the information you need.

Tennessee is a great state for rockhounding, thanks in large part to the complicated geological history of the eastern portion of the state. The mountain ranges to the east contain a wide variety of minerals and accordingly have many promising locations for rock hunting. In the alluvial river plains of western Tennessee, it is fairly common to find quartz family mineral specimens such as agate, jasper, and petrified wood. Tennessee also offers a relatively rare opportunity to find freshwater pearls in the Tennessee River and its tributaries. Just about anywhere you are in the state, there are likely to be several fun rockhounding destinations nearby.

The best places to Rockhound in Tennessee are the mountains of the Cumberland Plateau and central Tennessee, particularly Horse Mountain, where unique specimens of agate can be found. Other notable locations for rockhounding include the Tennessee River for freshwater pearls and Cannon County for geodes.

State Symbols State Mineral Agate State Rock Limestone State Gem River Pearl State Fossil Pterotrigonia Source Agate

This article will delve deeper into the many great rockhounding sites across the state (along with maps), but I want to highlight a few standout ones here. The Top 10 Rockhounding Gems and Minerals Sites in Tennessee:

Tennessee offers quite a nice variety of rocks and minerals for Rockhounds to collect. One of the state’s most unique rocks is the unakite found in the mountains of the eastern part of the state. Unakite is a type of metamorphosed granite that has had some of its mineral components replaced by epidote, giving it a distinct and easily recognizable green color.

Many minerals and gemstones can be found throughout the state of Tennessee, including agate, freshwater pearls, quartz crystals, many carbonates such as calcite and dolomite. Tennessee has a fairly unique species of agate known as “Paint Rock Agate” which is highly prized for its distinct coloring and attachment style banding.

The most commonly found and collected rocks and minerals in Tennessee are:

agate

freshwater pearls

quartz crystals

unakite

calcite

geodes

jasper

pyrite unakite

If you’ve already found a rock and aren’t sure what it is, I’d highly recommend checking out my handy rock identification system. This information pack includes a book, videos and online tools. It is, quite simply, the most comprehensive and easy to understand rock identification system you will find anywhere.

You can also read my free rock identification guide and mineral identification guide, which is filled with useful information and resources.

Through quite a bit of research and cross-referencing available literature, I’ve compiled this list of some potential locations in Tennessee that I would recommend for people looking to rockhound. These consist primarily of old mining projects, washes, creeks and historically known rock and mineral collection sites. For additional reading, I recommend these books, which you can find on Amazon:

Please remember that stone collection locations are constantly changing. Specimens may have been exhausted by other collectors, the site may have been developed or altered, locations in the literature may be inaccurate, and ownership may have changed hands. Joining a local rockhounding club for a group tour can often give you access to otherwise inaccessible locations like private mines and quarries. There are many rockhounding clubs in Massachusetts so you can most likely find one you like nearby.

Although many locations are listed here, this list is far from complete. Listing a location here is not a guarantee of accuracy. Be on the safe side, never go underground and get permission from the landowner to look for and collect specimens.

If you plan to hit the field, make sure you have all the gear you need! To get started, you can check out my recommended gear page, which includes my full reviews for every geologist’s favorite rock hammer and the best hiking backpack I’ve ever owned.

Rockhounding sites in Tennessee

Important disclaimer: I haven’t been to these places myself and don’t know if they are currently open for collecting. Use this resource as a guide to get started. Follow the signs and always get the property owner’s permission to collect.

Western Tennessee Rockhounding Sites

Compared to the rest of the state, western Tennessee is a little lacking in rockhounding destinations. Still, there are plenty of places that aspiring collectors can look with the reasonable expectation of making some worthwhile finds.

The highlight of western Tennessee is undoubtedly the freshwater river pearls, which have earned a reputation as the state’s official gemstone. To find freshwater pearls in Tennessee, try digging in the sand and gravel of the Tennessee River and its larger tributaries. The clams you find need to be shelled, and inside you’ll find your nice reward.

One of the best places for rockhounding in western Tennessee is near Richardson’s Landing on the Mississippi River. Try to find fresh dredging dumps or search in the gravel along the river bank. You can often find agate fossils and even the famous Lake Superior agates that were carried down from the Great Lakes by the mighty current of the river. Other notable stone hunting sites include the limestone outcrops in Wayne County and the Springfield area where you can find many high quality quartz family gems.

Rockhounding sites in Central Tennessee

Central Tennessee is a great place to go rockhounding. There are many old mines and quarries in the area that are historically known to produce many types of carbonate minerals such as calcite, celestite and dolomite as well as geodes.

For a more accessible and general stone hunt, there are many vast areas such as Horse Mountain, Beechgrove and Cookeville where any collector can comb creek gravel and rocky outcrops in the expectation of finding quartz family gems such as agate, jasper and chalcedony.

East Tennessee Rockhounding Sites

Eastern Tennessee is without a doubt the best part of the state for rockhounding. The southern end of the Appalachian Mountains and the great National Forests combine to provide a great region for potential rockhounding sites. Of course, you should avoid national parks as absolutely no gathering is allowed there (however, national forests do).

There are many old mines and quarries in the area that provide samples of many minerals such as sphalerite, pyrite, garnet, celestite and smithsonite. If you’re collecting in the area, try to get your hands on some Unakite, which is quite unique to the region. Unakite is a metamorphosed granite in which some minerals have been replaced by epidote, giving parts of the rock an attractive forest green color.

Where to Find Gems in Tennessee

There is nothing quite like discovering a quartz crystal with a perfect finish, or finding a beautiful agate that has been sitting on a river bank waiting for you to come by and take it home. Gems are some of the finest specimens Rockhounds can find, but knowing where to look isn’t always easy. Luckily, Tennessee has many places to prospect for gemstones where collectors can usually make some great finds.

quartz

The best places to find gems in Tennessee are:

Douglas Lake – Double-ended quartz crystals known locally as “Douglas Diamonds” can be found in the sands of Douglas Lake. For the best chance of success, search when the lake level is low.

– Double-ended quartz crystals known locally as “Douglas Diamonds” can be found in the sands of Douglas Lake. For the best chance of success, search when the lake level is low. Tennessee River – The gravel and sand of the Tennessee River and its tributaries are a great place to dig for shells, which contain beautiful freshwater pearls.

– The gravel and sand of the Tennessee River and its tributaries are a great place to dig for shells, which contain beautiful freshwater pearls. Cooper’s Gem Mine – Just south of Blountville, this family-friendly public mine allows you to dig for a variety of gemstones, including quartz and garnets, for a small fee.

– This family-friendly public mine south of Blountville allows you to mine for a variety of gemstones including quartz and garnets for a small fee. Springfield – The entire area surrounding the city of Springfield offers the opportunity to find gem quality quartz crystals. Try looking in places like creek gravel and boulders at the bottom of road cuts.

– The entire area surrounding the city of Springfield offers a chance to find gem-quality quartz crystals. Try looking in places like creek gravel and boulders at the bottom of road cuts. Horse Mountain – This area is one of the best places in the state to find agates. The variety found here is known locally as “Horse Mountain Agate” or more commonly as “Iris Agate”.

– This area is one of the best places in the state to find agates. The variety found here is known locally as “Horse Mountain Agate” or more commonly as “Iris Agate”. Ben Lomond Mountain – The west side of Ben Lomond Mountain is a great place to look for some gems including calcite, celestite, dolomite, marcasite and pyrite.

– The west side of Ben Lomond Mountain is a great place to look for some gems including Calcite, Celestite, Dolomite, Marcasite and Pyrite. Big Creek – The gravel of Big Creek near Bluffton is one of the few places I can find green quartz crystals – some of them gem quality.

– The gravel of Big Creek near Bluffton is one of the few places I can find green quartz crystals – some of them gem quality. Little Tennessee River – If you are looking for rock crystal (beautiful clear quartz crystals) this is the place to go. Try looking in the red clays on the riverbanks.

– If you are looking for rock crystal (beautiful clear quartz crystals) this is the right place for you. Try looking in the red clays on the riverbanks. Gatlinburg – The entire area surrounding the city of Gatlinburg is great for stone hunting, as the river’s gravel brings out quartz crystals and other gems.

– The entire area around the city of Gatlinburg is great for rock hunting as the gravel of the river brings out quartz crystals and other gems. Copperhill – Brook gravel surrounding the town of Copperhill is another fantastic place to look for gems of many types including azurite, garnet, pyrite, quartz and staurolite.

Where to find geodes in Tennessee

Regardless of their location, geodes are some of the most sought-after stones, and Tennessee is no exception. While Tennessee isn’t particularly well known for its geodes, there are still many places you can search and have a good chance of finding your own. These geodes can contain one or more of a number of minerals including quartz, amethyst, calcite or chalcedony.

Tip: Not sure if the rock you found is a geode? Read my article on how to identify a geode.

The best places to find geodes in Tennessee:

Where to find agates in Tennessee

agate

Agates are among the most beautiful and varied stones collected by rockhounds, and the varieties found in Tennessee are a testament to that. The most famous and sought after type of agate collected in Tennessee is Paint Rock Agate, which is usually shades of red, orange, and yellow and often has mounting streaks. Paint Rock Agate is most commonly found in southern Tennessee near the Alabama border.

Tip: Check out my Complete Rock Tumbling Guide to really make your rocks and gems shine!

There are several other types of agate found in Tennessee, but aside from Paint Rock agates, the most unique type is known as Horse Mountain agate. Not surprisingly, this variety can be found in the Horse Mountain area, which happens to be one of the best places in the state to find agates of any kind.

The best places to find agates in Tennessee:

Memphis, in the gravel near Richardson’s Landing

, in gravel near Richardson’s Landing Horse Mountain , the entire area

, the whole area around Cookeville , in Bachkies to the east

, in river gravel in east Jellico , in road cuts south of town

, in road cuttings south of the city of Green County , in area exposures

, in wing loadings Hawkins County , in wing loadings

, in area exposure Sullivan County, in area exposure

Tennessee Rockhounding Laws and Regulations

One of the most common questions Rockhounds have is whether or not they are allowed to collect in a certain location. It is the responsibility of each Rockhound to obtain permission from a landowner to search and/or collect a property.

Land ownership and status can and does change frequently, making it impossible to document accurate information on this site. However, I’ve compiled a list of resources here so you can do your own research and get permission for all locations (here or elsewhere).

Public Land Resources

I’ve written entire articles covering Rockhound laws and regulations for almost every type of public land you can think of. I encourage you to check them out if you are curious about the legalities of collecting rocks and minerals.

To determine what type of public land a particular location is on, I would recommend starting with the Public Lands Maps of Massachusetts.

Private Land Resources

As in most states, each county in Tennessee will have a record of who owns each property. Tennessee makes it uniquely easy, compared to most states, to find out who owns a piece of land with its official interactive land map. You can usually get the name and address of the property owner from the district register office.

Sources & further reading

The locations and information contained in this article come primarily from academic papers, online resources, and other external sources. If you’d like to read some of the sources for yourself, I’ve listed them below. Most of these locations are my interpretation of Robert Beste’s A Location Guide for Rock Hounds in the United States. Other sources are:

Alabama has an abundance of mineral and rock deposits that make it an ideal state for rock hunting. The state is dominated by two distinct geologies – mountainous in the northeast at the southern end of the Cumberland Plateau and hilly coastal plains that cover the rest of the state’s agricultural regions.

A variety of gems

••• an open book image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com

More than 190 mineral species are found in Alabama, according to the Encyclopedia of Alabama.

Gold!

••• Pyrite (fool’s gold) isolated on white image by Tamara Kulikova from Fotolia.com

Gold occurs naturally in Alabama and has been reported in Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Randolph, Talladega and Tallapoosa counties.

Fool’s Gold

Pyrite, also called fool’s gold, is found in Clay County. It occurs in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.

Different rocks, different places

••• Rock painting by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com

Stone hunters find gem-like qualities in cherts for cutting and polishing on Alabama’s coastal plains. In the mountainous regions, rock seekers can expect conglomerates, marbles, phyllites, quartzites and slates.

Gems and Gems

••• various gem images by OMKAR A.V from Fotolia.com

Some of the most popular gemstones and collectible minerals in Alabama include agate quartz, amethyst, andalusite, apatite, calcite, emeralds, fluorite, ilmenite, magnetite, monazite, onyx, opal, rutile, tourmaline, and turquoise.

Geological maps and references

••• Plans and maps on the table picture by Wiktor Osiecki from Fotolia.com

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Alabama is one of the best places for rockhounding due to its rich deposits of minerals, rocks and gemstones. This state also has an amazing variety of fossils including giant prehistoric whales. Although the entire country has a wide variety of minerals, some counties are particularly rich in exciting specimens. So where can you rockhound in Alabama and what can you find?

Counties such as Coosa, Madison, Clay, Cleburne or Jackson contain deposits of various gemstones such as star blue quartz (the state’s official gemstone), garnets, tourmaline, beryl, agates, emeralds or jasper. An excellent place for rockhounds and those still suffering from gold fever is the Alabama Gold Camp.

Here you can pan for gold and find interesting minerals such as citrines or red garnets. Other minerals that can be found in Alabama are hematite, marble, coal, limestone or gneiss. Southwest Alabama is the place to go to find dinosaur fossils and remains. Now that we’ve seen how many exciting things to find in Alabama, let’s pack our bags and start Rockhounding Alabama!

If you are interested in checking out the best rockhounding tools, you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link).

The best places for rockhounding in the state of Alabama

Where to Rockhound in Alabama and what you can find

What are the best places for rockhounding in Alabama? This is an excellent question with a very complicated answer because the Yellowhammer State is so rich from a geological standpoint. Let’s check out the best spots for rockhounding in Alabama!

Coosa County

Located in east-central Alabama, Coosa County is probably the best place for rockhounding in the state if you are interested in finding gems.

Actinolite tremolite, beryl, tourmaline, muscovite, aquamarine or emeralds can be found here. The region is also known for its cassiterite deposits, hornblende, gneiss, kaolinite and feldspar.

An interesting fact is that there are many areas in Coosa County where gold has been discovered. If you want to find gold, Hatchett Creek, Weogfuka Creek and the Rockford areas are the places to go.

Talladega County

Talladega County is known for its rich deposits of marble, calcite and pyrite. Sylacauga, the Marble City, is in this county.

Other minerals found in Talladega County include hematite, kaolinite, copper, quartz, magnetite, limonite, hornblende, silver, or gold.

Over 180 mines are recorded for Talladega County, most of them for trace iron.

By the way: Would you like to learn more about the identification of rocks and minerals? The books listed below are the best you can find on the web (Amazon links):

What gems are found in Alabama?

Now that we’ve discussed the best Rockhound spots in Alabama, let’s see what gems, minerals, and rocks can be found in this state. We’ll start with the gems.

A variety of gemstones are found in Alabama. The state’s official gemstone is star blue quartz, found along the Flint River in Madison County.

Other gemstones found in Alabama include amethyst, beryl, onyx, agate, staurolite, tourmaline, turquoise, opal, andalusite, jasper, or garnet. Check out the table below to see what gems are found in Alabama and where!

Gem Locations Star Blue Quartz Along Flint River, Chambers and Cullman Counties Beryl Specimens (Emerald and Aquamarine) Within the Piedmont Geologic Area (Coosa County) Tourmaline Cleburne, Chambers, Coosa Counties Jasper Blount County Gems can be found in the state of Alabama

Now let’s look at what sedimentary rocks you can find in Alabama and where.

What sedimentary rocks can you find in Alabama?

The sediments left by the ancient oceans and swamps are of great economic importance to Alabama.

Alabama has important deposits of limestone, chalk, sandstone and shale. These sedimentary rocks are economically important and develop fertile soils and form the 20 most important aquifers.

The table below shows you what sedimentary rocks you can find in Alabama and where to look for them.

Sedimentary Rock Sites Chalk Coastal Plain, along the Tombigbee River Sandstone Northern Alabama,

Jefferson County (Hartselle Sandstone),

Southwest Alabama (Tallahatta Sandstone) Shale Green County, Tuscaloosa County, Jefferson County, Jackson County Sedimentary rocks that you can find in the state of Alabama

Aside from sedimentary rocks, Alabama has a wide variety of metamorphic rocks. Let’s see where you can find them.

What metamorphic rocks are found in Alabama?

The majority of metamorphic rocks in Alabama range from the Precambrian to the Devonian.

Most metamorphic rocks in Alabama are found in the Piedmont Upland area and are composed of shale, gneiss, quartzite, or marble. Let’s look at the table below to see what metamorphic rocks are found in Alabama and where.

Metamorphic rock sites Marble Central-eastern and southeastern parts of the state: Talladega County, Coosa County, Jefferson County Shale Clay County, Tallapoosa County Quartzite Lee County, Clay County Metamorphic rocks are found in the state of Alabama

Now that we’ve talked about sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks in Alabama, let’s see if igneous rocks are also present here!

What igneous rocks can you find in Alabama?

The igneous rocks represent the oldest rocks in Alabama, dating back to the Precambrian.

These volcanic rocks are primarily found in the Piedmont Upland, located on the east-central side of Alabama. Among the igneous rocks found in this state we must mention granite, pegmatite or diorite.

Various metallic and non-metallic minerals have been successfully mined from these igneous rocks. Check out the table below to see what igneous rocks are found and where to look for them!

Igneous Rock Locations Granite Coosa County Pegmatite Cleburne County, Coosa County Diorite Coosa County, Tallapoosa County Igneous rocks that you can find in the state of Alabama

We’ve seen what rocks and gems to find in Alabama, but you might be more interested in finding gold. Let’s see where you can find gold in this condition!

TIP: Do you know how to identify igneous rocks? It can be tricky at times, so I’ll summarize the six main characteristics of igneous rocks for easier identification. Read more about these key features in the following article:

6 main characteristics of igneous rocks

Where can you find gold in Alabama?

Alabama was no stranger to the gold rush. Significant amounts have been mined in Alabama, making this state one of the largest gold producers in eastern Mississippi.

In Alabama, gold has been found in both vein and placer deposits in many counties such as Talladega, Tallapoosa, Chambers, Clay, Coosa, Chilton, Elmore, Cleburne and Randolph.

One of Alabama’s largest gold producers is the Hog Mountain District in Tallapoosa County, while nearby creeks contain placer gold. Other vital mines are the Riddle Mine and the Story Mine in Talladega County. Placer gold can be found in Talladega Creek and in the Talladega National Forest.

Gold is also abundant in Coosa County. Gold Ridge Mine produced gold as a by-product of copper mining. In this county, the placer gold can be found at Hatchett Creek, Weogufka Creek or the Rockford Placers.

I know you’d love to find some gold nuggets, but let’s see if it’s legal to prospect for gold in Alabama.

Is it legal to prospect for gold in Alabama?

Panning for gold in Alabama is not illegal; However, depending on your county, you may need a permit.

Many former gold mines are now open to the public and nearby streams contain placer gold. Note, however, that many of these streams pass by private property, so asking permission is a must.

Of course, you can always visit the Alabama Gold Camp, where you can wash, sling, or attempt metal discovery for a reasonable fee. Remember not to be fooled by the fool’s gold pyrite found in Clay County.

If gold isn’t your thing, you can look for the star blue quartz, Alabama’s official gemstone.

TIP: You must be careful and carefully choose where you go on Rockhounding. It must not be allowed to dig anywhere. Learn more about the legal aspects of rockhounding in the following article:

Is it illegal to take rocks from nature? You should know that

Where can you find star blue quartz in Alabama?

Alabama’s Official Gem – Blue Quartz

The Star Blue Quartz has been Alabama’s official gemstone since 1990. Although quartz is a common mineral, the blue variety is quite rare.

In Alabama, the star blue quartz is found along the Flint River in Madison County. In case you don’t want to chase after the beautiful star blue quartz, you can check if what they say about the Alabama marble is true.

Where can you find marble in Alabama?

Alabama marble is famous around the world for its white color and crystalline structure.

Marble, the state’s mineral since 1969, is found in Talladega County. The richest deposits were found in the city of Sylacauga, known as the Marble City.

Significant marble deposits can also be found in Bibb, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chilton, Coosa, Jefferson and Shelby counties. However, the Sylacauga marble is the best.

You can see for yourself if you visit the Magic of Marble Festival, which takes place in this city in the second week of April. Alabama is also rich in mineral deposits. Let’s see what an amateur geologist can find!

What Minerals Can You Find in Alabama?

Alabama is home to over 190 mineral species across the state. These minerals played an essential role in the development of the state.

Some of the most important mineral deposits are located in the Piedmont Upland region of Alabama. Most minerals are found in Chambers, Coosa, Randolph, Tallapoosa, Clay, Cleburne and parts of Elmore, Lee and Chilton counties.

The official mineral of the state of Alabama is hematite. Check out the table below to see what minerals are found in Alabama and where.

Mineral Locations Hematite Central and Northeastern side of the state, along Red Mountain, Birmingham District Kaolinite Coosa County Muscovite Randolph, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Cleburne, Clay Counties Pyrite Clay, Limestone, Talladega Counties Minerals can be found in the state of Alabama

Where can I find fossils in Alabama?

Alabama is a great place to visit if you are interested in finding fossils. Numerous sites across the state reveal fossils ranging from ancient Cambrian to near-modern sediments.

The state’s official fossil is Basilosaurus cetoides, a toothed whale whose discovery in Alabama helped scientists learn more about this paleontological species.

This state is a great place to collect fossils. You can also tour the extensive collections of several museums such as the Anniston Museum of Natural History, the McWane Center in Birmingham, the Auburn University Museum of Natural History, and the Alabama Museum of Natural History in Tuscaloosa.

TIP: You already know the best spots and what rocks and minerals to find in the state of Alabama. It’s rockhounding time! Just to make sure you have all the necessary tools for rockhounding, check out my recommendations in the following articles:

Recommended tools and gear for rockhounding

Ore Crusher at Ruffner Mountain Nature Center Alabama hosts a diverse and widespread variety of minerals, with more than 190 mineral species occurring in the state. These minerals have played a key role in the development of the state, beginning in the prehistoric period when flint, mica, clay, and other stones and minerals were used by Native Americans. The state’s rich deposits of ferrous hematite provided the raw materials for Alabama, which is home to a diverse and widespread variety of minerals, with more than 190 mineral species occurring in the state. These minerals have played a key role in the development of the state, beginning in the prehistoric period when flint, mica, clay, and other stones and minerals were used by Native Americans. The state’s rich deposits of ferrous hematite provided the raw materials for Birmingham’s rise as an industrial center in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During the second half of the 20th century, Alabama was annually ranked among the top 20 states in terms of the value of minerals produced in the United States. Continued demand for mineral resources is expected, particularly for those located near urban areas where the need for building materials is greatest.

Gypsum A mineral is defined as a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a specific and characteristic chemical composition, usually having a definite crystalline structure. Alabama’s mineral diversity refers to the rock types found in the state. A rock can consist of a single mineral or an aggregate of multiple minerals, and all rocks belong to one of three groups: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. The diverse A mineral is defined as a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a specific and characteristic chemical composition, usually possessing a distinct crystalline structure. Alabama’s mineral diversity refers to the rock types found in the state. A rock can consist of a single mineral or an aggregate of multiple minerals, and all rocks belong to one of three groups: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. The diverse geological makeup of the state is reflected in the large number of different mineral species that have been found in Alabama. Most of the state is covered with sedimentary rocks, with exposures of igneous and metamorphic rocks being limited to the east-central portion of the state. Alabama minerals vary from common rock-forming minerals like clay, calcite, and quartz to precious metals like gold

clays

Mississippi Pottery The term “clay” usually refers to a finely structured mineral material found in nearly all state soil types, composed of extremely small particles and representing the most widespread and common group of silicate minerals. Clays are widespread and occur in every county in the state and in most geological formations in the state. The various clays quarried in Alabama include bentonite, fireclay, common clay, shale, and kaolin. Clays are generally composed of hydrous aluminum silicates combined in varying proportions. When pulverized and mixed, the term “clay” usually refers to a finely structured mineral material found in almost all soil types in the state, composed of extremely small particles and representing the most widespread and common group of silicate minerals. Clays are widespread and occur in every county in the state and in most geological formations in the state. The various clays quarried in Alabama include bentonite, fireclay, common clay, shale, and kaolin. Clays are generally composed of hydrous aluminum silicates combined in varying proportions. When clay is pulverized and mixed with water, it forms a mass that can be shaped and which hardens when heated to a high temperature, known as firing. Clay was used by Native Americans for thousands of years to make pottery and other items, and the earliest commercial exploitation of clay mineral deposits in Alabama was in 1780 by British settlers to make bricks, tiles, and pottery in Mobile. Historically, clay deposits along Mobile Bay’s east shore have been some of the earliest sites of historic pottery in the state. More recently, clay has expanded its uses to myriad industrial and commercial uses, including clay pipes, light aggregate, and ceramics. It still retains its traditional importance in the manufacture of brick and tile, and Alabama clay still serves as the raw material for artisan potteries such as Miller’s Pottery in Brent, Bibb County

limestone and chalk

Limestone deposits, Epes Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of the mineral calcite (calcium carbonate) and is widespread in Alabama. The limestones of Alabama have a wide variety of chemical and physical properties and have been used for various purposes in the region throughout human history. Limestone is the source of the chert and flint used in projectile tips by Native Americans in prehistoric times. One of the earliest uses of limestone in historical times was for ordinary building blocks and in the manufacture of lime for iron making, particularly in Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of the mineral calcite (calcium carbonate) and is widespread in Alabama. The limestones of Alabama have a wide variety of chemical and physical properties and have been used for various purposes in the region throughout human history. Limestone is the source of the chert and flint used in projectile tips by Native Americans in prehistoric times. One of the earliest historical uses of limestone was in the manufacture of general building stone and the manufacture of lime for iron making, particularly in Shelby County. Limestone is currently used in various applications including metallurgical flux, construction aggregate, building blocks and soil conditioner to neutralize acidity. Limestone also has many industrial uses, including the manufacture of glass, abrasives, cement, and lime. Chalk, a soft, extremely finely textured variety of limestone, occurs on the Coastal Plains of west-central Alabama and forms prominent cliffs along the Tombigbee River. The Selma Group’s Demopolis chalk has been quarried since 1900 at the Spocari Quarry near Demopolis for use in the manufacture of Portland cement and agricultural soil conditioner

Salt

Salt deposits, composed of the mineral halite (sodium chloride), lie in much of southwest Alabama at depths ranging from 400 feet to more than 18,000 feet. Brine springs, or natural springs, in Washington and Clarke counties were used at times during the Civil War to extract salt for food preservation. Large scale brine production began in 1952 at McIntosh in Washington County for the manufacture of industrial alkaline chemicals.

quartz

Agate Quartz Quartz (silicon dioxide) is an important rock-forming mineral and a key component of sand, gravel, sandstone, and several types of metamorphic and igneous rocks. Quartz is clear and colorless, but can be brown, yellow, red, white, pink, and purple if impurities are present in it. Small quartz crystals can be found in cavities in the limestone in rocks of northern Alabama, and large quartz crystals have been found associated with the coarse-grained rocks known as pegmatites found in eastern Alabama. Quartz is an ideal abrasive material and is used to make abrasive sandpaper, saws and liners for tube mills. Alabama’s quartz sand and gravel deposits are a rich source of industrial raw materials for the construction and manufacture of glass, ceramics and clay refractory materials. The largest deposits occur on the coastal plain trend in an area extending from Lowndes. Quartz (silicon dioxide) is an important rock-forming mineral and a prominent component of sand, gravel, sandstone, and several types of metamorphic and igneous rocks. Quartz is clear and colorless, but can be brown, yellow, red, white, pink, and purple if impurities are present in it. Small quartz crystals can be found in cavities in the limestone in rocks of northern Alabama, and large quartz crystals have been found associated with the coarse-grained rocks known as pegmatites found in eastern Alabama. Quartz is an ideal abrasive material and is used to make abrasive sandpaper, saws and liners for tube mills. Alabama’s quartz sand and gravel deposits are a rich source of industrial raw materials for the construction and manufacture of glass, ceramics and clay refractory materials. The largest deposits occur on the Coastal Plain trend in an area spanning Dallas County through Montgomery County into Russell County. The District of Montgomery, located on the coastal plain of south-central Alabama, is the state’s primary source of sand and gravel. These deposits occur primarily in riverine alluvium and terrace floodplain deposits of the Alabama, Coosa, and Tallapoosa Rivers bordering Montgomery, Autauga Elmore, and Macon counties.

copper

Copper occurs in Alabama as chalcopyrite (copper-iron sulfide) and is found in association with massive sulfide deposits in Clay and Cleburne counties. Exploration for copper began in northern Alabama’s Piedmont in the 1850’s near the towns of Pyriton and Millerville in Clay County and the Stone Hill Mine in Cleburne County. Copper ore was mined at Stone Hill from 1874 to 1879 and shipped abroad to be smelted.

gold

Goldville Mine Gold, an indigenous (naturally occurring in its pure form) element and precious metal, was discovered in Alabama in the early 1830’s and was mined in a number of historic gold districts of the Piedmont region. The amount of gold mined in the 1830s through the 1930s was equivalent to 49,000 troy ounces (a measure of precious metals) of gold. Gold was discovered in Clay, Tallapoosa, gold, an indigenous (naturally occurring in its pure form) element and precious metal, in Alabama in the early 1830’s and mined in a number of historic gold districts of the Piedmont region. The amount of gold mined in the 1830s through the 1930s was equivalent to 49,000 troy ounces (a measure of precious metals) of gold. Gold has been reported in more than 100 prospects and mines in Clay, Randolph, Cleburne, Talladega Coosa and Chilton counties. Several towns, including Arbacoochee, Chulafinnee, and Goldville, were founded during the gold rush of the 1830s but are now abandoned. The Hog Mountain mine, operated from 1904-1914 and 1934-1937 in Tallapoosa County, was the most extensively developed gold mine in Alabama and is reported to have produced approximately 24,000 troy ounces of gold. Gold mining in Alabama ceased in the late 1930’s, although some individuals continue to prospect on their own.

graphite

The mineral graphite is the most common form of native pure carbon. In Alabama, graphite generally occurs as flakes distributed in the metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont Trend in the east-central part of the state. The mineral is particularly abundant in Clay, Coosa, and southeastern Chilton Counties, and the graphite-rich rocks in these counties form one of the largest graphite deposits in the United States. Graphite is important in the manufacture of electrical products and high-temperature crucibles for the metals industry. Commonly used as a dry lubricant, graphite is also mixed with clay to form the “lead” in pencils. Graphite mining peaked in counties Clay and Coosa during World War I. During this period, 43 major mines and 30 processing plants were in operation. In the 1950s, graphite mining began to decline as technological advances led to the development and production of artificial graphite and imports of cheaper foreign graphite increased.

iron ore minerals

Irondale Ore Mine Red iron ore from the Red Mountain Formation was mined at Bibb, Cherokee, DeKalb, Butler, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Franklin, Jefferson. Red iron ore from the Red Mountain Formation was mined in Bibb, Blount, Etowah, Jefferson, and Tuscaloosa Counties. Brown iron ore was mined in Barbour Calhoun, Cherokee, Chilton, Colbert Pike, Shelby, and Tuscaloosa counties. Mills for washing and screening brown iron ore were generally located near the open pit and were relocated as mining operations moved from one mine to another. The advent of the iron industry in Alabama in the early and mid-19th century marked the beginning of the state’s industrial age. Early iron-making efforts utilized the local “brown iron ore” (the mineral limonite) and charcoal in massive stone kilns such as those at Tannehill (1830), Polkville (1843), Shelby (1844), and Round Mountain (1852). ). The industry expanded dramatically with the discovery of red ore (hematite) at Red Mountain near Birmingham. Until the 19th century, iron ore mining was a major component of the state’s economy, but by the mid-20th century, import competition gradually crowded out Alabama’s mining industry. In 1967, hematite was designated an official state mineral by the Alabama legislature.

Galena

Galena (lead sulfide) and the closely related sphalerite (zinc sulfide) occur sporadically in limestones and dolomites in the Valley and Ridge section of Calhoun County. These minerals were mined on a small scale in the county’s Angel District during the Civil War for their lead content.

Muscovites

Muscovite mica (hydrous potassium aluminum silicate) occurs as sheets or “books” in the metamorphic and igneous rocks of Piedmont. Large scale micaceous rock was quarried in Randolph, Cleburne, Clay, Coosa and Tallapoosa counties. Commercial mining of muscovite mica deposits in Alabama began in 1870 at the Pinetucky No. 1 mine in Randolph County. Scrap or flake mica is used by industry in dry, wet, or micronized milled forms for use in building materials such as roofing, shingles, and wallboard.

pyrite

Pyrite (iron disulfide), popularly known as fool’s gold, is a mineral widespread in Piedmont and is found in metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary rocks. Pyrite deposits in the Hillabee Greenstone geologic formation near Pyriton, Clay County were first mined by mining companies in the 1850’s to produce sulfuric acid and elemental sulfur. Production of pyrite for sulfur to make chemicals continued intermittently until World War I, but is no longer mined in the state.

talc

Talc (hydrated magnesium silicate) occurs associated with metamorphosed dolomite near Winterboro, Talladega County. It also occurs in association with anthophyllite asbestos in altered mafic rocks in Chambers and Tallapoosa counties. Talc is mainly used in ceramics, cosmetics, paints and building materials.

Gems and collectible minerals

Beryl Many of the minerals discussed above are not only useful but also of interest to collectors, but Alabama is home to a variety of gemstones and other specimen-quality minerals coveted solely for their appearance and properties. These minerals include amphibole, amethyst, andalusite, beryl (emerald), apatite, calcite, fluorite, gypsum, ilmenite, magnetite, monazite, saltpetre, onyx, opal, quartz (agate), rutile, staurolite, tourmaline, turquoise, and wavellite. There are gem and mineral clubs

Additional Resources

Cook, R.B. and W.E. Smith. “Mineralogy of Alabama.” Alabama Geological Survey Bulletin 120. Tuscaloosa: Alabama Geological Survey, 1982. Many of the minerals discussed above are not only useful but also of interest to collectors, but Alabama is home to a wide variety of gemstones and other specimen-quality minerals sought after just for their appearance and their properties. These minerals include amphibole, amethyst, andalusite, beryl (emerald), apatite, calcite, fluorite, gypsum, ilmenite, magnetite, monazite, saltpetre, onyx, opal, quartz (agate), rutile, staurolite, tourmaline, turquoise, and wavellite. There are gem and mineral clubs in Huntsville and Montgomery. Additional Resources Cook, R.B. and W.E. Smith. “Mineralogy of Alabama.” Alabama Geological Survey Bulletin 120. Tuscaloosa: Alabama Geological Survey, 1982.

Dean, Lewis S. “Alabama Mineral Locality Index.” Rocks & Minerals (September/October 1995): 320-33.

MURFREESBORO – This week’s vacation got off to a disappointing start for Mike Burns of Arab, Alabama, who planned to use his week off as a delivery driver from work to pursue his new hobby of prospecting and treasure hunting. After driving to Colorado to look at a specific location, he learned the owner would not allow him access to the property until this Wednesday. So Burns headed home and decided to prospect for gold at Arkansas’ diamond site, Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro instead. He had visited the park before late summer.

“A week off finally paid off,” Burns said. He noted that it took him 2,300 miles to get to the Crater of Diamonds from Alabama, but “I made the right choice.” A holiday that began with disappointment ended at around 10:15am today with his 5.75 carat find of a white diamond. He found the diamond on the surface of the park’s 37½-hectare diamond prospect, a plowed field whose eroded surface is the eighth largest diamond-bearing deposit in the world by area.

According to Burns, “My eyes caught the diamond before the light did.” His first words were, “Oh my god, that looks like a diamond!” He searched in the west drain of the search area behind Canary Hill and near the forest . Burns placed the diamond in a glass vial and went to the park’s visitor center to have park staff identify it.

Burns named his jewel Arabian Knight Diamond after his hometown high school football team in Arabic. He noted that his wife, who is not accompanying him on his travels this week, reminded him three weeks ago that their 20th wedding anniversary was coming up at the end of May and that they wanted a diamond. Burns had joked to her, “Well, you better go to Arkansas to the Crater of Diamonds. I heard they find big ones there, so start digging.”

Burns remarked with a smile today that since their wedding anniversary was also his birthday, maybe his wife would let him keep the diamond. The 5.75-carat Burns diamond is the 17th largest gemstone of the 28,000 park visitors have found since the Crater of Diamonds became Arkansas State Park in 1972. It’s the largest diamond find since September 2006, when a couple from Point, Texas found a 6.35-carat dark brown diamond in the park. The Burns gem is the 346th diamond found by visitors to the park so far this year.

According to Park interpreter Margi Jenks, “The diamond is clear but has inclusions. It’s somewhat triangular, pincushion-shaped, and flat.”

Park Superintendent Tom Stolarz noted that park policy is finder-keeper. “What park visitors find in the diamond prospects is theirs.” Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only diamond production site in the world open to the public. Diamonds come in all colors of the rainbow. The three most common colors in the park are white, brown, and yellow, in that order.

Park staff provide free diamond identification and certification. Informational programs and exhibits in the park explain the geology and history of the site and provide tips on spotting rough diamonds.

In all, over 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed at the Arkansas diamond site since the first diamonds were found in 1906 by John Huddleston, the farmer who owned the land at the time, long before the site became an Arkansas State Park. The largest diamond ever discovered in the United States was unearthed here in 1924 during an early mining operation. Named Uncle Sam, this white diamond weighed 40.23 carats. Other large notable finds from the crater include the Star of Murfreesboro (34.25 carats) and the Star of Arkansas (15.33 carats).

The largest of the 28,000 diamonds discovered by park visitors since the crater became Arkansas State Park in 1972 was the 16.37-carat Amarillo Starlight. W. W. Johnson of Amarillo, Texas found this spectacular gem quality white diamond in 1975.

In June 1981, the 8.82-carat Shreveport star was added to the growing list of large valuable stones found in the crater.

Another notable diamond from the Crater of Diamonds that has received much national attention is the 1.09 carat D-Flawless Strawn Wagner diamond. Discovered in 1990 by Shirley Strawn from nearby Murfreesboro, this white gemstone weighed 3.03 carats in the rough before being cut to perfection in 1997 by the renowned diamond company Lazare Kaplan International of New York. The gemstone is the most perfect diamond ever certified by the American Gem Society laboratory. The diamond is on permanent display in a special exhibit at the Crater of Diamonds State Park Visitor Center.

Another jewel from the crater, the pristine 4.25-carat Kahn Canary diamond discovered in the park in 1977 has been displayed in many cities in the United States and overseas. The uncut, triangular diamond was featured in an illustrious 1997 jewelry exhibition in Antwerp, Belgium, which included gems from around the world including the Kremlin Collection, Vatican, Cartier and Christie’s. And in late 1997, the Kahn Canary was featured in another prestigious exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York called The Nature of Diamonds. Former first lady Hillary Clinton borrowed the Kahn Canary from its owner, Stan Kahn of Pine Bluff, and wore it in a custom Arkansas-inspired ring setting designed by Henry Dunay of New York. Mrs. Clinton chose to wear the gemstone to represent the Arkansas diamond site at the galas celebrating Bill Clinton’s dual inauguration.

Other semi-precious stones and minerals found in the Crater of Diamonds include amethyst, garnet, peridot, jasper, agate, calcite, barite, and quartz. Over 40 different rocks and minerals are unearthed in the crater, making it a rock hunter’s delight.

Crater of Diamonds State Park is two miles southeast of Murfreesboro. It is one of 52 state parks managed by the State Parks Division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.

For more information, contact: Tom Stolarz, Park Manager, Crater of Diamonds State Park, 209 State Park Road, Murfreesboro, Arkansas 71958. Phone: 870-285-3113. Email: [email protected] Or visit craterofdiamondsstatepark.com.

Agate, common semi-precious silicate mineral, a variety of chalcedony found in bands of varying color and transparency. Agate is essentially quartz, and its physical properties are generally those of that mineral. See silica mineral (table).

Agate can be found all over the world. In the United States, it is manufactured in several western states; Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana are the main sources of gemstones. Most agates are found in cavities in eruptive rocks or ancient lavas. These agates have a banded structure, with successive layers running roughly parallel to the sides of the cavity. It is likely that they were formed as follows. As the lava cools, steam and other gases form bubbles. The bubbles seized by freezing are frozen and form cavities. Long after the rock has solidified, water with dissolved silicic acid, probably as alkali silicate, penetrates into the bubble and coagulates to form a silica gel. Soluble components of the iron-bearing rock diffuse into the silica gel and create the regular layers of iron hydroxide. Eventually, the entire mass gradually hardens as quartz or chert, with loss of water and crystallization of much of the silica. The colored bands are not disturbed during crystallization. Agate varieties are characterized by peculiarities in the shape and color of the bands, which can be seen in sections cut at right angles to the layers. In riband agate, the ribs appear as straight lines in cross-section. Such an agate, where white bands alternate with black, brown or red bands, is called onyx. A ring or eye agate has concentric circular bands of different colors. A variety that contains matter of a green color embedded in the agate and arranged in filaments and other shapes that indicate plant growth is known as moss agate.

Quartz agates from Mexico. Courtesy of the Joseph and Helen Guetterman Collection; Photo John H. Gerard/Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Britannica Quiz (Bed) Rocks and (Flint) Stones Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but what is this mineral’s closest relative? Test your knowledge of stones, minerals and everything to do with “yabba dabba doo” in this quiz.

New from Britannica New from Britannica A ten gallon hat only holds about ¾ gallon. The name is believed to derive from the Spanish tan galán, meaning “very gallant” or galón, “braid”. See all the good facts

The agate processing industry grew centuries ago in the Idar-Oberstein district of Germany where agates were plentiful. After 1900 most agates were supplied by Brazil and Uruguay. Most commercial agates are artificially colored so that stones that are unattractive because of their dull gray tones become valuable for ornamental purposes.

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Agate can be found almost anywhere on earth, but is it a valuable stone? While finding an expensive stone isn’t always a Rockhound’s primary motivation, it’s important to know if the agate you’ve found or are considering buying has value, and if so, what does it depend on? Do all types of agate have some value or do certain agates have characteristics that make them better than the others?

Most agates are inexpensive ($1 to $10), but some can be very expensive ($100 to $3,000), depending on the species, color, and location. Tumbled agate is automatically more expensive than raw agate, and those with very vivid colors, fine bands, or only found in one location also cost more.

But it is important to remember that agate prices are subjective and similar agates can be priced wildly differently on two different websites depending on the seller’s personal preference and value. In addition, landscape agates are among the most expensive types of agate, although they are not “real” agates. This shows that appearance and opinion play a bigger role in cost than type of rock.

Are agates valuable rocks? The true value of agates

If you are interested in looking at the tumbled or raw agates you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link). Or if you’re looking for tumbler gear, you can find it here (Amazon link).

How much money is an agate worth?

Most standard, average quality agates are relatively cheap and are priced based on labor costs and appearance rather than the material, which is often sold by weight.

Usually, landscape agate and fire agate are the most expensive agates, but crazy tip agate, lake superior agate, and agate geodes can be quite expensive.

Today you can buy a pound of raw agate for just a few dollars (unless it is a special/rare species). A small 1-2 inch tumbled agate (snake skin agate, sardonyx, blue tip agate, tree agate, Botswana agate, etc.) costs about $2-$10.

A good quality Mexican Fire Agate of the same size can cost over $50 and even reach prices of $1000.

A better than average quality landscape agate (dendritic agate) or moss agate can range from $20 to over $200 depending on how appealing the landscape is.

Dendritic and moss agates are not actually true agates as they do not have color bands, but they are still sold as agates.

By the way: Would you like to learn more about the identification of rocks and minerals? The books listed below are the best you can find on the web (Amazon links):

TIP: Most people have certainly seen agate at some point in their lives. But do you know how these beautiful rocks are formed? Learn more in the following article:

What is agate and how are agates formed? Simple explanation

What Makes Agate Valuable?

What Makes Agate Valuable?

As I mentioned above, the price of agate is determined by several factors. The most important factors are as follows:

weight

Raw and tumbled agate prices depend on its weight. Many websites will show you the weight (in carats if it’s not raw agate) next to each agate they sell.

For raw agates, the weight and price relationship is linear – say 1 pound is $10, 2 pounds is $20, and so on.

But when it comes to high quality tumbled/polished agates, weight can increase the price exponentially – so if a rare 15 carat stone costs $50, a 25 carat stone of the same quality could cost $400.

clarity

If an agate is clear (e.g. if you hold it up to the light and you don’t see any black spots or other inclusions) it is considered to be of higher quality.

However, this does not apply to dendritic, feather or moss agates. With these stones, the inclusions they contain are the source of their beauty – and therefore their price. Without these inclusions they would have no landscapes/interesting patterns.

colour

One of the main characteristics of a real agate is its color band, so impressive colors (or a combination of them) immediately increase its price.

Grey, light and dark colors lower the price, bright red, orange, white and blue raise it. The brightness/intensity of the colors is also very important.

shape/cut

A smooth, round, rough agate is worth more than one with uneven/sharp/jagged edges. When it comes to an agate cut specifically for use in jewelry, asymmetrical and professional cuts add to its value.

TIP: Agates look pretty dull from the outside. When cut and polished, they reveal their intricate wave patterns and colors. Learn more about cutting and polishing agate in the following article:

How do you cut and polish agates? Follow these simple steps

rarity

If an agate is not as common as the rest and can only be obtained from one location, or its supply is relatively limited (e.g. Fire Agate or the Laguna Agate from Ojo Laguna, Chihuahua, Mexico), this increases its cost.

overall impression

Any stone with interesting bands, patterns or images is automatically valuable and expensive. This characteristic is often the decisive one.

What is the most expensive agate?

There is no “most expensive agate”, although dendritic and fire agates are usually worth more than the others.

However, a regular blue lace agate, which has very fine bands and a rich color, can be slightly more expensive than a fire agate of the same size but lower quality.

TIP: Finding an agate is a lot more rewarding than just buying one – as any rock hound already knows. Check out the best places to look for agates in the following article:

Where can I find agate rocks? The best places in the US and the world

Related questions about the value of agate

Still haven’t found an answer to your answers about the value of agate? See the section below for frequently asked questions:

What should I look out for when buying an agate?

There are 2 things to watch out for – fakes and dyes. Sometimes you might come across a piece of glass that is being sold as an agate. Although this is not common as agates are not very expensive anyway, you should be careful and buy from a reputable seller/shop.

Dyes are a whole different topic. Many agates found in nature have very dull colors that humans would never find attractive.

To solve this problem, agates are often dyed in chemical solutions to enhance their colors. If you see very rich, neon-like greens, reds, or blues, it’s very likely a colored agate.

Well, some people don’t see a problem with that and buy them anyway, but others think it’s not worth buying because these aren’t their natural colors. In the end it comes down to personal preference.

Are agates gems?

Agates are generally considered semi-precious stones, but many people only consider them semi-precious stones if they are attractive enough (clarity, color, overall quality) to be used in jewelry.

Where can I buy Crazy Lace Agate?

Almost any type of agate can be bought online at sites like gemrockauctions.com, amazon.com or etsy.com, but as this is an extremely popular type of rock you will definitely find it at any crystal/mineral store – if there is one which ones near you.

TIP: Agate is one of the most common semi-precious stones. At the same time, there are many fakes that imitate agate. Check out the differences between real and fake agates in the following article:

Real vs. fake agate: You should know these 7 differences

So what is the difference between agate, chalcedony and jasper? what are they exactly Well, trade names aren’t helpful to start with, but there are simple differences that you can spot once you know what to look for.

But first, let’s start with quartz. Quartz has a chemical formula consisting of SiO2 or silicon dioxide. Quartz comes in many forms and jasper, agate and chalcedony are actually all forms of quartz. Let’s start a little scientifically – but not too much, I promise!

Microcrystalline (or cryptocrystalline) means the crystal structure is too small to see with the naked eye, a microscope is required. Macrocrystalline quartz is quartz whose crystal growth is visible to the naked eye.

Microcrystalline Quartz is the one we are interested in for this article. As a general umbrella term, microcrystalline quartz is divided into opaque or translucent. When opaque, it is commonly referred to as jasper in the gemology/mineral collection world. If it’s translucent, meaning it lets some light through, then it’s a chalcedony. If it is a banded or striped chalcedony, then it is an agate.

The confusion arises when many varieties of chalcedony have been given the name agate but are not actually banded. Flower agate, orca agate and moss agate are not real agates because they are not banded. This doesn’t make them fake crystals though, it’s just the name that has been around for so long that renaming it from Moss Agate to Moss Chalcedony would only cause confusion. For example, Botswana Agate, Blue Lace Agate and Iris Agate are all true agates as they have bands.

Although agates come in a wonderful natural variety of colors, many agates are colored, particularly the more common Brazilian agates, which are bright shades of blue, pink, green and purple. There is also a newer ‘Sardonyx’ or Silk Agate, also known by various other names, which is actually a grey-banded agate from Madagascar that has been treated with sugar to give it shades of red, orange and black. True sardonyx exists but it is not like these treated Madagascar agates.

Opaque microcrystalline quartz is commonly known as jasper, although there are a large number of crystals that bear the name jasper, although they are not true jasper, ie they are not made of silicon dioxide (SiO2). Bumblebee Jasper, Rainforest Jasper, Dalmatian Jasper, and Kambaba Jasper are just a few of the “cheater” jaspers.

In summary, microcrystalline quartz can be divided into 3 categories:

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Thought a quick little blog was warranted for this fine little Lake Superior Paint Agate.

“Paints” are one of the many types of Lake Superior agates. The majority of Lakers are banded, called attachment agates, and are fairly transparent as you can see light through them. People will say that the difference between jasper and agate is that you can see light through agate but not through jasper.

This is not always the case as there are always exceptions to this rule. In most cases this rule applies, but sometimes we see opaque Lake Superior agates, mostly as painted agates.

It’s like someone took a wide brush and made swooshes (is that a word?). I think if Nike can use it, so can I. These brushstrokes are broad and bold; in many cases of red and orange, which make very showy jewelry.

Here’s a color I wrapped that I really liked. Enjoy

Volume 37, pages 578-587, 1952 IRIS AGATE FRANCIS T. JONES, 244 Trinity Ave., Berkeley 8, California. ABSTRACT Iris Agate owes its spectral colors to the presence of a diffraction grating structure. The lines in the grating are the edges of thin lamellae with alternating high and low refractive indices. The rhythmic segregation of opal between crystals may account for the index variation. The chalcedony needles are always perpendicular to the lamellae: the optical properties of chalcedony associated with the lattice structure indicate that the aggregate is pseudo-orthorhombic, probably consisting of quartz needles elongated perpendicular to c but not perfectly parallel. Shape birefringence may account for the difference in refractive index from that of quartz. Maximum and minimum indices are given. Iris agate is an agate whose thin section shows spectral colors when viewed in transmitted light. These colors are not thin layer colors like those of Edelopal. Specimens of iris agate were observed in 1933 by Fred S. Young, 1,2 then editor of the Oregon Mineralogist, while making cabochons. Brief articles have been published on the subject by H. C. Dake, 3.4 editor of the journal. These articles have been largely devoted to the occurrence and cutting of such material. A microscopic examination by Dr. E.W. Lazell revealed the lamellar structure of iris agate, but no detailed examination of the specimens was made. 1 When Fred S. Young and Dr. H. C. Dake first showed the author thin slices of iris or rainbow agate in 1935, the display of colors was reminiscent of the similar appearance of a diffraction grating. Microscopic examination soon confirmed the notion that a periodic band structure existed in agate, revealing interesting correlations with the structure of chalcedony and variations in fineness and regularity. No satisfactory explanation for the formation of this regularly banded structure has yet been developed, although the theory proposed by Hedges 5 may be general. OCCURANCE It is likely that some specimens of agate from any locality will exhibit the iris structure. Those used in this study were from Oregon, Montana, and California. Some amygdules from a ledge near the intersection of Grizzly Peak Blvd. and Fish Ranch Road in Berkeley, California provide good specimens of iris agate. The iris lattice structure, if present, is usually associated with “turtleback” type chalcedony crystallization. It was often found in the chalcedony layers next to quartz layers at the center of an achatamygdul or geode. It has never been observed in opal bands in agates. It has only been found in colorless or nearly colorless chalcedony, although patches of the reddish-brown to black gelatinous-appearing “moss” type have been observed between the bands containing the lattice structure. QUALITY FACTORS In order to produce the best play of colour, the slice of iris agate must be cut in such a way that the thin layers, the edges of which are the diffraction lines, FIG. 1. Iris Agate 9,600 lines per inch. 370X. Grid, as in Figs. 1 to 5, will be at. perpendicular to the polished surface. The disc shows the brightest colors when thin (1mm or less) as the absorbing and scattering effect of any milkiness is then minimal. If the line spacing is even as in Fig. 1, a very thin disc will show primaries even if the layers in the agate are tilted somewhat towards the polished or lacquered surface, although the disc may need to be tilted to correct this tilt. A specimen that shows primary colors in very thin sections may only show pastel colors if the section is too thick. If the line spacing is not quite even only pastel colors can be seen, and if it is very irregular only chatoyancy is observed. A single evenly spaced band shows only one color for a given position, but each adjacent evenly but differently spaced band gives a different color for the same position, because fine spacing diffracts each individual wavelength through a larger angle than a coarser grating. Also, the finer grids separate colors more than the coarser grids, resulting in purer, more saturated colors. COWARDLY. 2. Iris Agate between Crossed Single Line Nicols and Turtleback. 80X. LINES PER INCH The fineness of structure observed in iris agates ranges from about fifteen thousand to as little as four hundred lines per inch. Figure 1 shows; a sample with about 10,000 lines per inch. Part of Figure 2 shows only 400 lines per inch. Finer and coarser spacing may be present on some agates, but any spacing in this range will show the lattice effect. A grating of only 100 lines per inch shows diffraction colors, but they are so close to the illuminating beam that they are difficult to see. Gratings of up to 30,000 lines per inch have been observed in some crystalline organic materials by the author. A variation in the spacing of the lines as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may possibly be caused by changes in the rate of crystallization of the chalcedony, either because temperature changes have occurred or because the composition (concentration) of the solution (perhaps a gel) has varied, or both. It is also possible that the coarse spacing shown in Figure 2 may be of the usual successive deposition type, with the lattice structure beginning but not continuing in each of the broad layers which happen to be of fairly uniform thickness. The fact that the needles appear to be continuous over several layers can be explained in the same way that phantom lines are explained in single crystals. COWARDLY. 3. Iris Agate with distance differences and direction change at the grain boundary. 80X. RELATIONSHIP OF GRID LINES AND CRYSTALS The lines in iris agate are always at right angles to the length of the needle-shaped chalcedony crystals. Figure 1 shows an unusually straight set of lines, but even these are slightly wavy because the crystals are not all exactly parallel to each other. It should also be noted that the ripples run along the layers within the specimen to the cut surface at right ankles, but the amplitude of the ripples is small and a thin slice gives good color despite the front-to-back ripple. Figure 2 shows lines that are curved because the crystals have grown in radiant clusters. This structure is sometimes referred to as “turtleback” or “spherulitic”. Figure 3 shows a relatively coarse structure of variable fineness and also shows that banding is continuous across adjacent crystal groups despite abrupt changes in direction. Fig. 4 is the same specimen as Fig. 1 but between crossed nicols and enlarged only 80 times. The irregular, jagged black bands indicate changes in the polarization colors of the chalcedony but do not correlate with the lattice structure. (See Fig. 5.) Such coarse patterns appear to the naked eye as a woven fabric like burlap. COWARDLY. 4. Iris Agate between crossed Nicols. 80X. COWARDLY. 5. A. Iris Agate between crossed Nicols, showing the beginning of a narrow band where the crystal size changes. 80X. B. Beginning of lattice band in A. 200X. Figure 5A shows an iris band beginning where short, relatively jumbled crystals transform into long, nearly parallel crystals. Figure 5B shows the beginning of the grating band at higher magnification. For most samples, the iris bands show higher polarization color order and more uniform orientation than adjacent bands that do not show the iris lattice structure; However, these differences are not always apparent. The iris band, which starts where the crystal size changes (Fig. 5), becomes finer where a band of cloudy material extends across the field, but becomes coarser again beyond the cloudy zone. This cloudy material can be opal, which can exist between the crystals of chalcedony. 6 Colloidally dispersed impurities such as the brown gelatinous “moss” type iron hydroxide are often present in the bands between the iris bands, but very few such colored impurities are ever present in the iris bands themselves. In any case, it appears that the chalcedony in which the lattice structure is present must be fairly pure and sufficiently free from porosity to prevent extensive diffusion of iron stains or dyes between the crystals. The above observations suggest that the lattice lines must have been formed while the crystals were growing, but this is the author’s opinion. that the manner of their deposition is not the same as the irregular deposition of the ordinary bands in agate. Organic materials such as cholesteryl acetate melted under a coverslip have been observed to rapidly crystallize in rhythmically banded structures that, like iris agate, produce a display of rainbow colors. A similar, slower process is probably responsible for the lattice structure in iris agate. NATURE OF THE LINES The lines in Iris Agate are optical inhomogeneities, not layers of opaque impurities. If they are contaminants, they must be of transparent material. The crystals appear to be traversed by lattice lines without disturbing their optical properties. The lines are visible because an abrupt change in refractive index occurs on either side of each “line,” which must be the edge of a thin layer of material. The boundaries between layers with different refractive indices cause the black lines in the photomicrographs. The layers with higher index must inevitably alternate with those with lower index. Although a compositional difference could be responsible for such a refractive index change, it is also possible to have such a refractive index difference with constant composition but orientation change caused by twinning. The lattice structure in the amethyst of Figure 6 is too coarse to show colour, but it is conceivable that similar but much finer structures could exist. In this example there are evenly overlapping layers of alternating left and right hand quartz. An important difference to note is that the grid lines in iris agates run from crystal to crystal, while the twins of amethysts are within a single crystal. Zapffe and Worden 7 describe banded structures of somewhat similar appearance revealed by fractography. These structures are limited to single crystals of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate containing some arsenate, but they might have something in common with the lamellar structure in iris agate, since there was a possibility for arsenate and phosphate to segregate in the solid solution, which might account for the refractive index differences of the rotating shifts. Neither structure appears to be twinning. In Figures 2 and 3, the individual thin “lines” or layers are of substantial thickness and the index of refraction of each thin layer is greater than the index of the broader crystalline region on either side. This evidence rules out the possibility that the thin layers contain more opal than the adjacent material. On the contrary, they have properties closer to those of quartz. COWARDLY. 6. Brazilian Gemini in Amethyst. (X Nicol.) 2X. OPTICAL AND CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC PROPERTIES Table 1 summarizes the optical and crystallographic properties and gives for comparison the corresponding values ​​reported by Dana, 8 Rogers, 9 Winchell, 10 and Larsen. 11 Winchell cites the results of Washburn and Navias, 12 who carefully examined Yellowstone Park chalcedony and, based on X-ray powder diffraction patterns of their sample, concluded that chalcedony is quartz despite optical, thermal, and density differences. Recent work by Correns and Nagelschmidt 13 indicates that the chalcedony fibers are quartz, elongated perpendicular to the c-axis. None of TABLE 1. OPTICAL AND CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC PROPERTIES OF CHALCEDONIUM AGGREGATES

Crystal system: pseudo-orthorhombic or monoclinic in needles; Fiber, clusters tend to refractive indices emit sodium light. ± 5° Optical character (+) (-) Elongation sign (-) (+) or (-) Optical orientation Axial plane & a longitudinal The authors cited above mention the presence of such a lattice structure in agate as described in this paper. The properties reported here were observed on chalcedony containing the iris lattice structure. Most measurements were made on chips broken off the edges of the thin section shown in FIG. Immersion methods were used to observe the edges of the sample. Sodium light was used for the index determinations, which could be made to within ±0.0005, but it should not be expected that all chalcedony samples would fall within such narrow limits. Observed maximum and minimum values ​​are given. The black areas in Figures 4 and 5 show crystals oriented in positions exhibiting very small retardation. The centers of these dark areas do not become bright when the sample is rotated. Interference images obtained from some of these areas using an oil immersion lens, while somewhat fuzzy, were good enough to show that the crystals appear to be biaxial. The optical axis angle in oil, 2H=34°; in air-= 2E=50±5°; the optical character is (+) and the axial plane is along the crystals with the acute bisector perpendicular to the crystals. The sign of stretch is (-). The bright crystals, which show a sharp extinction, give an “optically normal” interference pattern. This combination of properties, if unqualified, would indicate that the crystals, or at least their aggregates, belong to the orthorhombic system or to the monoclinic system when the crystals are elongated in the b-axis direction. The index of refraction for the longitudinal modes is always alpha and has a value of 1.5350 ± 0.0005. The cross-mode refractive index measured on the crystals with the longest retardation and the sharpest extinction (the “optical normal view”) is gamma and has a value of 1.5430 ± 0.0005. The beta index measured on crystals with the “acute bisectrix” could not be determined with such precision, but has a value of 1.537 ± 0.001. Indexes measured on samples shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Figures 2 and 3 show that the individual “lines” or layers have a y value of 1.544 compared to the sections of the crystals between layers which showed a maximum value of 1.543. The change from “optically normal” to “acute bisector” position occurs fairly regularly along any line of longitudinal (spiral?) growth, e.g., figs. 4 and 5, although this periodicity is not so conspicuous in some specimens, e.g. Fig. 2, where most of the dark crystals are simply near their extinction positions. As previously noted, the lattice structure does not correlate with this coarse periodicity in the change in orientation. With axial illumination, the absorbance was always parallel with respect to the individual crystals or small bundles of essentially parallel needles, but in some crystal clusters the absorbance appeared skewed by about five degrees when observed under strongly convergent illumination. These shortcomings can be explained by considering that the structural variations perpendicular and horizontal to the section plane are the same. Each near “isotropic” region consists of a bunch of needle-like crystals that are not perfectly arranged to appear as a single crystal. The lower layers may contain some crystals in one position to show the optical normal, others may dip slightly. If the needle-like crystals in these chalcedony samples were quartz with the c-axis longitudinal, then the end views of the needles should be “isotropic”. Sections cut to show this end view show that the crystals are not “isotropic” but show a retardation approximately equal to that seen on sections cut parallel to the length of the crystals. The thin layers responsible for the lattice structure do not show any variation in their extinction positions like twins, and as mentioned earlier, these lamellae have larger refractive indices than the zones between them. The maximum difference observed is only 0.001, but the contrast within the sample would lead to estimate a larger value. DISCUSSION Based on the evidence given above, one would conclude that: (1) the iris agate lattice structure results from the segregation of alternating layers of higher and lower refractive indices during the crystallization of the needles or fibers of chalcedony. (2) Crystallization is a rhythmic process that affects the entire crystal aggregate evenly. (3) Factors such as variations in growth rate and the percentage of impurities such as opal are likely to cause the difference in fineness in the different lattice bands of a sample. If Donnay’s 6 explanation of the influence of shape birefringence is accepted, the higher refractive index of the thin films in some samples such as Figs. 2 and 3 cannot be attributed to an increased opal quantity, but the lower index of the adjacent material can be explained on this basis. The optical properties of the aggregate would indicate that chalcedony is not quartz but an orthorhombic or monoclinic mineral. However, considering the fact that these properties are being measured on an aggregate of very small crystals rather than single crystals, and also considering the influence of amorphous intergranular material, probably opal, on the index values ​​6, it is conceivable that the difference between these optical Properties and those of quartz (e = 1.553, m = 1.544) can be explained. It is also necessary to explain the difference in habit of the chalcedony needles (c-axis perpendicular to the length) in contrast to the common quartz. It should be noted that both quartz and chalcedony are optically positive. Unless the X-ray data show any ambiguity or possibly very slight but significant differences between the diffraction patterns of chalcedony and quartz, chalcedony crystals must be considered quartz of an unusual shape. An X-ray fiber pattern obtained from a sliver of iris agate gave dimensions consistent with those measured on an alpha quartz powder pattern. Manuscript received July 27, 1951 NOTES 1Young, Fred S., Private communication. 2 Young, Fred S., Oregon Mineralogist, 2, 22 (April 1934). 3 Dake, H.C., Oregon Mineralogist, 1, 1 (July 1933). 4 Dake, Fleener, and Wilson, Quartz Family Minerals, McGraw-Hill Book Co., (1938). 5 Hedges, E.S., Liesegang Rings and Other Periodic Structures, London, Chapman & Hall, Ltd. (1932). 6 Donnay, J.D.H., Le birefringence de forme Bans la calcedoine: Ann. society Geol. Belgique, 59, B 289 (1936). 7 Zapffe and Worden, Acta Crystallographica, 2, 386 (1949). 8 Dana and Ford, Textbook of Mineralogy, 4th Edition, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., (1932). 9 Rogers, Introduction to the Study of Minerals; 3rd ed., McGraw-Hill Book Co. (1937). 10 Winchell, Microscopic Characters of Artificial Minerals, John Wiley and Sons, Inc (1931). 11 Larsen and Berman, The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals U.S.G.S., Bulletin 848 (1934). 12 Washburn and Navias, Proc. national Akad. Sci., 8 , 1 (1922). 13 Correns and Nagelschmidt, Zeits. Krist., 85 , 199 (1933). 14 Menzer, G.Z., Naturforsch: 4a, 11-21 (April 1949). (See summary only.) Footer for links and copyright Copyright © 1952 – 2004 Mineralogical Society of America. All rights reserved