stasiak
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 138
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Post by stasiak on Oct 1, 2011 14:36:44 GMT -5
I've been doing some digging on the internet to see where you could get some agates or jaspers, well, because I would like to find some.
So, I was wondering, where do you find such stones? Along the side of the road, in a river bed, digging, a cave, mine, or off your mom's old jewlery?
As of yet, I've only found stones along the river. Red and black. White and black. White. Limestone. I think the colored ones are just garnet.
Where you guys find your stones and any tips on how to find good ones?
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 1, 2011 15:01:32 GMT -5
Here's a link to a page of rock hunting locations in Minnesota. cash-and-treasures-wiki.travelchannel.com/page/MinnesotaWatch for agates of the Lake Superior variety along the lake shores, and in freshly plowed farm fields. (Get permission to hunt from the fields owner first). What part of Minnesota are you in ? I'm right next door in N.E. South Dakota. Don |
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller 
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575 
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Post by grayfingers on Oct 1, 2011 15:50:38 GMT -5
stasiak, If I remember correctly you are in Ontario? forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=introductions&action=display&thread=47663If that is correct, you should be able to find Lake Superior Agates in the Thunder Bay area... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Superior_agatewickedstones.com/rock_hounding_superior_agate.htmwickedstones.com/rock_hounding_lake_superior.htmwww.northernwilds.com/pages/Explore/faces/rockhound-road-trip.shtmlThunder Bay Agate mine: "The Thunder Bay Agate Mine hosts the world's largest agate and is one of only 3 places in the world where the agate is found in vein formation." (They must mean the same formation as the Lakers, There is vein agate all around the world as far as I know...) The mine is located three miles east of the city. This mine is closed due to a land dispute, but perhaps there are other places in this area to find banded agate. www.treasurehuntingplaces.com/banded-agates/thunder-bay-agate-mine/P.S. To more directly answer your question, Where I live most is found on rivers and streams. One can hunt in the mountains, looking for deposits of jaspers, agate and Pet wood. That is more of a less likely place to find any, but if one does it can be one's own personal treasure trove. I think Canada has it's own set of regulations concerning collecting... It all depends on what sort of rocks are in your area, Some places have rolling hills where the frost heaves up fresh stones and one walks and looks. I look for rocks that have skins that look like they were once in a lava mold. Harder jasper/agateish/obsidian rocks break in a conchoidal fracture, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conchoidal_fracturesometimes one sees this in a rock laying there. Hope this helps, Bill |
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,717
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Post by Fossilman on Oct 1, 2011 19:20:10 GMT -5
I find them along the ocean beaches,lake fronts,river banks and low water seasons(Fall weather)...Rock quarries are great too,but ask permission first....
Heck I've found nice agates in parking lots in Montana-just never know till you look-LOL........Good luck..
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Post by stonesthatrock on Oct 1, 2011 20:02:06 GMT -5
i buy them................. lmao
mary ann
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Post by mohs on Oct 1, 2011 23:45:21 GMT -5
I’ve been having phenomenal luck in landscape --river rocks-- and certain railroad tracks fills. Phoenix is mostly soil but there a lots of open fields that were filled with river rocks. They have to be the right size.  I’ve gotten to where I can tell pretty quickly if the fill is geologically active for cutting and polishing. Not much agates but marbles, calcite, amethyst, quartz in metallic black, stripes minerals, pyrites, cherty type material, gneiss schiet ect… Still it one in a trillion.  My experience with polishing as really helped me identify the good stuff. Here is a fields of rocks that as been profitable.  Hopefully the rain is coming and warsh those stones. We’ve had lots of habooobs ! mOstly |
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Oct 2, 2011 14:13:12 GMT -5
Beings I live in the Florida Keys I mostly find my rock on the internet. I also have been known to find a lot of nice rocks on RTH! ;D ;D
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Oct 5, 2011 12:34:25 GMT -5
If you have a ocal mineral or rock society or club, they probably have organized rockhounding expeditions. Talking to locals or local Rock store owners or local rockhounds is also a great way to start (yes, talk to other people and start getting out into the field) ...If you don't have a personal guide, you need some inside information. You don't mention where you are from but when I go to any new location I buy one of the "Rockhounding Wyoming" or whatever state I am going to. It's a good investment even if they are often out of date; at least you get an idea of what is found in a particular area and where in particular.
Charlie
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Post by NM Stone Supply on Nov 16, 2011 7:53:08 GMT -5
Ah the joy's of living in New Mexico, a mineral rich state. We can travel about an hour or less to many great collection sites. To find new sites I use the Gem Trails Of New Mexico book, although most sites in the book that are easy to get to have been well picked over. It is best to go after a heavy rainstorm.
Sand and gravel or other quarries sometimes will let you look on the piles if you have any in your area.
Jason
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