Where can I mine 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.

Where is the easiest place to find geodes?

The Midwest and Appalachia regions are known to contain several styles of highly coveted geodes. Kentucky, Iowa, and Tennessee are all known locations by geode collectors. In these areas, geodes formed in the abundant limestone in the region are the most common types. In fact, the state rock of Iowa is a geode!

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.

What is the rarest geode color?

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

How do you tell if a rock is a geode?

Geode Hunting

Where can I mine for amethyst?

Amethysts can be found in various parts of the world. Siberia, Zambia, Bolivia, Uruguay, Mexico, India, Namibia, Nigeria, Madagascar, South Korea and Brazil represent major sources for amethyst. In the United States, North Carolina and Georgia are good resources for amethyst mines that enthusiasts can visit.

Can I find crystals in my backyard?

Crystals can pretty much be found anywhere on your lawn. Besides soil, crystals could be mixed in with gravel or within a rocky area.

How do I know where to dig for crystals?

Areas on the planet's surface that show clear evidence of fault lines and uplifts offer an ideal location to hunt for crystals. Check the area for ribbons of white quartz, which can also be found near known granite and gold deposits.

Are geodes worth money?

Geodes are highly valued for their content and appearance. The most valuable geodes are those that contain perfectly formed flawless crystals of amethyst, celestine, calcite, or other rare minerals. Geodes are worth from $2-5 for common specimens and up to several thousand for exceptional several meters.

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.

Do all geodes have crystals inside?

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. There is no easy way of telling what the inside of a geode holds until it is cut open or broken apart.

What to look for when looking for geodes?

Look for rocks with a bumpy texture.

When you're searching, you want to look for lumpy rocks. Geodes have lots of bumps and texture to them, so steer clear of any rocks with a very smooth surface. Geodes tend to resemble cauliflower in texture.

How much does a geode cost?

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 long does it take for a geode to form?

How long does it take for a geode to form? Over thousands of years, these layers of minerals build crystals that eventually fill the cavity. How long this takes depends on the size of the geode. The largest crystals can take a million years to grow!

What is the easiest gem to find?

Quartz is one of the easiest materials to find. Amethyst, agate, carnelian, and citrine are some gemstone varieties of quartz. Pure quartz is colourless, and impurities in the quartz are what can give it the vibrant colours you find in gemstones.

Can you find gemstones in creeks?

Common types of rocks found in creeks are quartz crystals, chert, agate, jasper, petrified wood, amethyst, and garnet, depending on the geology of the area. Many commercial gemstones are found in streams and rivers, but even ordinary rocks, worn smooth by tumbling water, have an appeal of their own.

Can I find diamonds in my backyard?

You can find diamonds in your backyard, especially if you live in certain areas of the United States where ancient volcanic activity occurred. It's also possible to find diamonds in stream beds on your property.

Where can you mine rubies in the US?

Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine, Franklin, North Carolina

Search for rubies inside the Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine. You can sluice through rocks and dirt with a screen and look for precious treasures, including sapphires, garnets, and rutile.

Can you find diamonds in quartz?

Diamonds have a specific gravity of 3.1–3.5. Quartz has a specific gravity of 2.6–2.7. In placer deposits, tumbled quartz pebbles and diamonds can appear similar.

Is amethyst radioactive?

Smoky quartz and amethyst, violet fluorite, blue salt, yellow sapphires and green diamonds, they all get their color from the influence of natural radioactivity. The source of radiation can be the surrounding rock, and in rare cases, even cosmic radiation.

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.