Are there geodes in Illinois?

Although geodes can be found in carbonate-rich rocks throughout the state, one of the most famous geode collecting areas in the country is in western Illinois and adjacent parts of Iowa and Missouri. The region encompasses about a 70-mile radius from the towns of Warsaw, Hamilton, and Nauvoo.

Where in Illinois can you find geodes?

The ideal place to search for geodes in Illinois is in the Keokuk geode beds in the western part of the state, particularly along the banks and tributaries of the Mississippi River near Hamilton. These geode beds are world-famous and contain countless geodes that have long been sought by collectors.

What gems can you find in Illinois?

Illinois isn't known for its gemstone variety or abundance. However, there are some gems that you may find in this state if you search in the right places. Some of the more popular gemstones that you can find include amethyst, jasper, pyrite, rubies, diamonds, calcite, siderite, or barite.

Where can you find crystals naturally in Illinois?

Calcite crystals are found in Illinois as linings in geodes, especially in the Nauvoo-Hamilton-Warsaw area. Thin calcite veins occur along joints in coal beds and vugs within limestone and dolomite. Small amounts of clear crystalline calcite are associated with various ores in northwestern and southern Illinois.

What kind of rocks are found in Illinois?

The Complexity of Illinois Geology

Lead and zinc ores, fluorspar, silica sand, limestone, sand, gravel, clay, and shale are all found at shallower depths. Most people, though, are aware of only those rocks and minerals found at or near the surface.

Finding Geodes in Illinois

Are there diamonds in Illinois?

No bona fide finds of diamonds are indicated in Illinois but seven places are shown where there have been "reports of finds - probably true" along the Mississippi River, roughly above St. Louis, and along the lower Rock River. There are also three "vague unverified" reported occur- rences further up the Rock.

Can you find quartz in Illinois?

Many dense varieties occur in Illinois; the most common is chert. Well-formed, prismatic crystals of quartz are typically six-sided and elongated with sharply pointed pyramid-like ends. Quartz crystals are apt to grow together, in clusters. Good, large crystals are rare in Illinois.

How do you tell if a rock is a geode?

Where are geodes in the midwest?

in the Midwest. One of Iowa's most productive and famous geode collecting regions can be found within a 35-mile radius of Keokuk, Iowa.

Can amber be found in Illinois?

Research by Ken Anderson, professor in the Department of Geology in the College of Science, on tiny pieces of amber found embedded in Southern Illinois coal is revolutionizing the way scientists view plant evolution.

Can you find gold in Illinois creeks?

With luck and patience, you can find a small amount of gold in some Illinois creeks. You may also be able to find fossils and semi-precious stones in these creeks as well. Gold does not occur in mineable deposits in the state of Illinois, but you can pan for gold recreationally in the hopes of finding placer gold.

Where are geodes commonly found?

Geodes are found all over the world, though they are most concentrated in desert regions. Other places where geodes are common are volcanic ash beds and areas containing limestone. There are geode collecting sites all over the U.S. in California, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Iowa.

Where can you rockhound in Illinois?

Are geodes valuable?

Large amethyst geodes can go for thousands. Baseball sized geodes with non-spectacular quartz or calcite crystals can be purchased for $4-$12. Geodes with uncommon minerals that are sold on mineral auction sites range in price from $30-$500. Golf ball sized geodes, uncracked, are sold for about $2 at shows.”

How do you find a geode in your yard?

Look and see if your rock may be hollow, either by picking up another rock and comparing the weights, or by gently shaking your rock to see if anything (such as crystals) rattles around. Geodes tend to be lighter than most other rocks because their center is sometimes hollow.

Where are amethyst geodes found in the US?

The USA has a great diversity of amethyst deposits that can be found in Maine, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Montana and Colorado. The color range of American amethyst is generally from medium to high in saturation and may include smoky or translucent crystals.

What kind of crystal is in a geode?

Most geodes contain clear quartz crystals, while others have purple amethyst crystals. Still others can have agate, chalcedony, or jasper banding or crystals such as calcite, dolomite, celestite, etc.

Where can I hunt geodes?

There are many easily accessible geode collecting sites in the western United States, including in California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada. The state of Iowa also has geodes, in fact, the geode is their state rock. The finest concentration of geode sites in Southern California is in Riverside and Imperial counties.

What does a geode look like from the outside?

Look for a bumpy textured surface

If you've found a geode it will usually have a lumpy, bumpy sort of texture on the outside. It is very rare for a geode to have a smooth exterior, so if your rock feels smooth to the touch then I'd bet against it being a geode.

How do you break a geode?

A very simple way to crack a geode is simply to place the geode inside of a sock or fabric bag to contain the soon to be broken pieces. With the geode in a bag, gently striking the geode with a rock-hammer, sledgehammer, or even a harder rock should facture the geode just enough to crack it open.

Is there gold in Illinois?

Gold is not known to occur in minable deposits anywhere in Illinois, so prospecting essentially refers to recreational panning. Gold has never been mined in Illinois, not even as a by-product of other types of mining such as fluorite, zinc-lead, or sand and gravel.

Where can I find fossils in Illinois?

Fossils can be found throughout Illinois. Even gravel in a driveway or rip rap along lake and river banks can be great sources for fossils. The most famous fossil collecting site in Illinois is the Mazon Creek area near Braidwood. This location in northeastern Illinois is an old coal strip mine.

What is the rarest geode color?

The rarest and most valuable geodes contain amethyst crystals and black calcite.

How do you identify thundereggs?

Though thundereggs appear lke rocks, they can be easily identified by the abnormally round and bumpy brown-gray surface. Usually, thundereggs lie relatively close to the Earth's surface, embedded in the clay of the tuff, where they were formed.