GUIDE TO COLLECTING AGATES; WHERE AND HOW TO FIND THEM

 

GUIDE TO COLLECTING AGATES; WHERE AND HOW TO FIND THEM

There is a wide variety of agates, and many collectors include them in their collections. They are attractive, common, and hardy. Because of this, not only are they great for jewelry, but also for a wide range of other specimens.

Are you ready to find out more about these incredible gems?

Continue reading because we're going to go deeply into this topic. Here, you'll learn about agates, where to look for them, and some creative ways to use them once you've unearthed them.

What exactly are Agates?

Chalcedony, another name for the silica dioxide (SiO2) material from which agates are fashioned, makes up the bulk of an agate's composition. Glass, quartz crystals, and opals are all fashioned from the same element.

Minerals' crystalline structures are often the source of their distinguishing properties. Its cryptocrystalline structure gives chalcedony its name. The meaning of the word "crypto" indicates the underlying framework. Even with a microscope, these crystals are very small.

In the spectrum of cryptocrystalline SiO2, which also contains flint and chert, chalcedony may be found. Transparency is what sets chalcedony apart.

Agate has historically referred to banded chalcedony. In modern usage, it refers to stones that feature primarily transparent chalcedony inclusions.

These may be anything from simple banded stones to exquisite Turkish agate. Collectors of agates have an unfathomable selection of stones from which to choose.

On the Mohs scale, agates sit at a fairly respectable 7. Because of their malleability, they have traditionally been used in jewelry and decorative arts. The stone's resilience makes it ideal for novices. Furthermore, they are slow to produce results.

Remember that agates, along with many other types of transparent chalcedony, are what you really need to take away from this article.

Exactly how Many Distinct Agate Varieties Exist?

There is an overwhelming variety of agates to choose from for the avid collector. Some of the most beautiful agates are only recognized by their location, making a complete list almost impossible.

However, there are certain broad classifications that may be made for agate:

Banded agates- They are often devoid of significant inclusions. They are instead built up of gradated layers of material. The best banded agates feature strong contrast and crisp lines, which may be a subtle but important distinction.

Moss agate- Inclusions in moss agates mimic moss or other tiny plants, thus the name. Though they come in a rainbow of colors, green is by far the most common. As a rule, they are very see-through, giving the impression of great depth.

Plum agate- In comparison to moss agate, the inclusion structure in plume agate tends to be more substantial. Some agates may be difficult to classify since they have characteristics with both plum agate and orange agate, although generally speaking, plume agate is the oranger of the two.

Dendritic agate- It’s named for its tree-like inclusions, is often seen with a black background and a milky color. In certain regions, they are more frequent than other forms of agate and may be easily identified. This opal should not be confused with the common opal, which also has dendritic structure.

Iris Agate - a transparent piece that flashes a spectrum of colors in the appropriate light. While high-quality collector specimens are in great demand, they are seldom utilized in jewelry because of the precision required to achieve optimal optical effects.

Fire agate- It is a kind of agate with minute specks of iridescent iron particles. In most cases, they are housed in transparent chalcedony and sliced in a way that reveals their bubble-like 3D structure.

Eye Agate- The banded, spherical inclusions that characterize Eye Agate are a distinctive feature of this gemstone. Depending on where the stone was mined, these inclusions may be solid colors or form intricate, attractive patterns.

Tube agate- When cut and polished, the tiny mineral tubes that run through agate's background become visible.

What has been provided here is by no means an exhaustive list. Agates, like jaspers, go by whatever name the person who discovers it chooses. That which has been provided so far are some broad principles to follow.

The location of an agate is often used as its name rather than the stone's actual characteristics. Exquisite specimens are the well-known Lake Superior Agate and the Hampton Butte Plume Agate.

While most agate nodules are uniform in "style" throughout the stone, even two slabs cut from the same nodule can have strikingly different appearances. Agates have depth despite their apparent transparency due to the abundance of their inclusions. Amazing agates are like seeing through a portal to another dimension.

Where Can I Get Some Dyed Agates?

Many inexperienced rock hounds have been duped into purchasing fake, colored agates. In the hands of unscrupulous vendors, they may pass for natural, particularly if the buyer has no idea any different.

Dyed agates are easily distinguished because they include gradations of the same dyed color. The most obvious clue is a very saturated color that has a very dark tone. While agates may have some beautiful colors, the exact shade of each area of the stone will nearly always be different.

Nothing prevents you from purchasing an attractive specimen or display item. Keep in mind that any sizable piece of agate with a uniform color was probably dyed. If it were genuine, you'd have to pay an extremely high price for it because of its scarcity.

 

 

 

 

 

Where Do I Go to Find Agates?

Despite their exotic appearance, agates may be found in almost any part of the planet. Agates are more likely to be discovered in areas where volcanic activity has occurred.

Nodule agates are the most highly prized kind of agate. Typically, the size of one of them is between 12" and 3". Streams and riverbeds are rich in nodules. One of the simplest ways to spot them is by using water, as they will stand out from the background of regular stones.

Agates may be found very much anywhere in the United States, although not all of them are of the same quality.

This root beer agate is a typical example of a boring agate. Large nodules resting on the limestone at Jalama Beach on California's Central Coast are prime examples. There is an abundance of it, and it's not hard to discover larger-than-average examples.

That's the rub, right? The fact that it consists mostly of shades of brown means that most collectors won't go wild about it. After slicing a few specimens and discovering that they were... well, dull on the inside, I quickly lost interest in it.

It's still agate, but most collectors are looking for the real deal.

The following are some of the top locations for agate:

·        Oregon

·        Washington

·        Idaho

·        Arizona

·        New Mexico

·        Minnesota

Agates of exceptional quality are most often found in concentrated regions, which may or may not be on public property. It is incumbent to the rockhound to ascertain whether or not they are legally permitted to scavenge for rocks.

The hunters themselves keep many prime locations a secret.

The reality is, agates may be found in an almost infinite number of locations. Despite the fact that I have already mentioned beachcombing for Root Beer Jasper in California, I admit that it is not at the top of the list.

Nipomo Agate, on the other hand, may be found in the clay of a nearby town. It's an orange agate with thick marcasite plumes that give it a metallic sheen. For a brief while, it even became a fashionable gem.

You are thus not necessarily out of luck if you do not reside in one of the aforementioned states. Great agates may be found just about everywhere, however you may have to go far to get the rarer kinds.

How to find Agates in the field without stress?

The greatest bet for a novice rock collector is a nodule. Vein agate and other varieties of agate exist, but they can only be discovered by mining. Nodules are the Holy Grail of collecting for the vast majority of enthusiasts.

Consistent practice is needed here.

Finding agates in the wild will need some time and effort. When a rock collector is familiar with the region, they may be able to see a nodule from quite a distance. To be a competent hunter, you need a set of innate abilities that just cannot be taught.

Although, there are lots of things to be done in order to achieve much

Dried-Up Riverbeds and streams

Agate nodules are often discovered in tiny streams or dry riverbeds. Agates are much more readily identified in the presence of running water; a clean, wet agate will reveal its true character.

Streams                                  

The greatest place to search for tiny stones piled up in streams is on the bank. Because of their extreme density, agates often "sit" in crevices and curves. It's worth your time to go through these relatively modest heaps.

Most nodules will have a strikingly different color from the local rock norm. Agate's unique cryptocrystalline structure also gives it a distinct feel. A common trait is a "waxy" surface sensation. They could be substantially heavier than the local stones, although this isn't the case in areas with a high concentration of volcanic rocks.

Dry River Beds

A rock pick is an essential item to have on hand in arid regions. Check out any areas where stones are stacked to see if you can deduce whether or not this was ever a riverbed. Most of the time, the finest times are depressions. It may be necessary to do some digging to find the smallest agate nodules, since they tend to sink to the bottom of a pile of larger stones.

Moving the rocks in one direction until I reach a layer where the stones are 2" to 4' in diameter is my preferred method of working. If there is a lot of dust, a water bottle will show that any stone is not an agate.

Matrix is present on certain agates and is usually the host rock. These may be eliminated in the future.

Physical Attributes

In most cases, nodules have a round or egg form. Surfaces are often pitted where matrix has been worn away. They will typically have a form that is distinctive from the local stones. Focus on dissimilarities and you'll soon discover more.

In addition to smaller agate pieces, you could uncover fragments of bigger agate nodules. These could have been ground down into smaller flakes, or they could still be one large conchoidal flake. All that matters is how long ago the stone cracked.

There may be instances when you encounter something you need more clarification on. The nodule may still be buried totally in the host rock, for instance. That's why it's crucial to acquire shape recognition skills.

Use one of the agate's attributes if you don't feel like carrying back a lot of stones that could or might not be useful. Conchoidal fractures are evident, meaning that a nodule may be easily cracked with a sharp blow.

If you don't have a rock pick, you may use a hammerstone instead; just give the stone a solid whack and you'll see right through it. When first broken, an agate will always reveal a smooth, waxy or glassy interior.

Don't fracture specimens in the field if you can help it if you're going to be cutting them. Even though you find out that you are wrong, it's not the end of the world. Frankly, agate is going to be harsher on blades than anything else you’ll discover.

You'd be astonished at how many you can locate with a little time and practice.

ROCKHOUNDS ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR HUNTING AGATES

Many rock hounds like going on agate hunts along the shores of Lake Superior or the beaches of the Pacific Northwest. Correctly so!

Agates are the crown jewel of any rockhound's collection because of the incredible diversity of colors available and the ease with which many of them can be picked off the seashore in superb gemstone condition.

However, even for the most seasoned rock hunter, agates may be surprisingly evasive. So if you want to go agate hunting and see if you can fill a pocket with the earth's own tumbling jewels, you may want to read the advice I've compiled below.

Key Tips for Successful Agate Hunting

Useful Advice for Finding Agates

1. Locate Beaches That Have Exposed Gravel Beds

The beaches of Oregon are my go-to spot for agate hunting. Keep an eye out for exposed gravel beds wherever your preferred agate hunting spot may be.

The vast majority of the time, sand completely burys many of these gravel beds. Although agates are rare, they may be found in plenty when the ocean decides to clear away the sand.

2. Take Advantage of the Season of Winter

I like going on agate hunts in the winter for a few different reasons.

First, during the colder, wetter winter months, you'll frequently find yourself utterly alone if you live in an area where folks like to gather. More agates for you, then!

For another, the winter months saw the passage of some of the most severe storms. Sand and gravel are carried by the strong winds and rains. During severe storms, agates that are usually submerged in water or buried in sand are washed up on the coast and made visible.

3. Put Your Back Towards The Sun

It's best to go agate hunting when the sun is behind you. A good alternative to having the sun at your back is to have it right in front of you. Given their translucence, agates can appear to be flooded with sunlight at the right time of day, making them much easier to find.

Further, the early morning or late afternoon/evening hours can be ideal for agate hunting because the sun isn't as high in the sky. This lower light angle makes the agates "glow" and shine out from the surrounding rocks, making them much simpler to detect.

4. Employ a Sand Sifter or scoop

We are avid rock hounds and agate hunters who spend many hours scouring streams, beaches, and shorelines for agates and other treasures. How often do we reach down to examine a lovely pebble or a possibly hidden object? Innumerable times!

Therefore, I've taken to utilizing a sand shovel whenever I go to the beach. The Sand Dipper is the one that I personally use and advocate for.

The Sand Dipper is a stainless steel ‘basket’ beach sand scoop that’s mounted to the end of a telescopic aluminum rod. Simply stretch the pole to the necessary length, scoop up the agate, and dump the excess sand and other detritus through the wire mesh basket. The agate, seashell, or whatever treasure you were seeking is all that remains. Also, you didn't have to go on your knees to obtain it.

5. Exercise Patience

 

There is a popular saying that states that good things always do come to those that wait patiently for it.

In the context of agate-hunting, this remark has never been more accurate. From personal experience, I can tell you that you could be in the heart of the world's most prime agate-hunting ground and still go months or years without success.

Expecting to find a pocketful of agates after spending only 15 minutes searching your rock collecting area is unrealistic.

Your search for agates is likely to take at least an hour. It's possible you'll come across some earlier, but you shouldn't count on it.

You should plan on spending some amount of time searching before any start jumping out at you.

6. Don’t be too sluggish while walking

Hunting agates can at times become overwhelming.

One thing you should ensure you do as you move along the beach or shoreline is to carefully look at every single thing that you find on the ground especially the ones  that catches our eye.

You can then stop, pick up the item and observe and investigate properly. Then we keep going, looking around at everything we can.

As a result of visual stimulus overload, our brains begin to "shut down," making it easy to miss agates that are in plain sight.

You may overcome this by walking more quickly and training your brain to focus on the agates while ignoring the other "beautiful stones."

7. Assurance in recognizing what you are searching for

A couple who spent 20 years agate hunting together is the subject of an article on miningjournal.com. The husband had discovered several agates on their excursions, but the wife had never even come close to doing so.

The husband, fearing that his wife might give up, hid some agates on the shore so that she would discover them.

Those agates were never located by the wife, which is really peculiar. After walking by them many times, she eventually located all of the agates that the husband had hidden. At this point in time she has become an expert when it comes to spotting spotting agates ever since.

The fact that she began finding agates with increasing regularity attests to her growing competence in doing so once she had the knowledge necessary to do so.

8. Finally, if all else fails, dig!

Spending time digging is another effective method for finding agates.

If you have sufficient energy to do this, by digging down through the different layers of rock piles can yield interesting and nice results if done in the right spot.

When I am really running late to the beach and the crowds have already had a chance to scour the hunting grounds, that is when I resort to walking along the shoreline in search of agates.

9. Keep out of the Crowds

I have already stressed the significance of this, but I will say it again. You will have much more luck in your rock collecting endeavors if you can avoid the throngs of people who will inevitably be there. There are certain ways to increase your chances of becoming the first person to discover the agates and so reduce the number of others searching for them.

Your best bet is to be there before the other agate hunters have even finished their morning coffee and newspaper. There is no other activity where the adage "the early bird gets the worm" rings so true as in agate hunting.

Secondly, you should look for less popular beaches to visit. Canoe trips to remote beaches, where we found many beautiful agates, have been some of my most fruitful agate-hunting excursions. Most of the time, you can find agates, jasper, petrified wood, and other interesting rocks on these beaches.

10. Don't forget to bring an agate!

This is an agate hunting tip I found on Reddit.com and thought was great, so I made sure to include it here.

Bring an agate from home to use as a reference point if this is your first time agate hunting or if you're exploring a new location. Drop it on a gravel bar once you get there to see how it blends in with the other rocks and debris.

This will help you develop the eye-hand coordination necessary to distinguish the agate from the other gravel. After training your eye to recognize agates, you'll be able to find them in stones of any color or form.

Agates: what are they, exactly?

Agates are the banded, translucent rocks commonly found in sand and gravel. The microcrystalline quartz that forms agates takes many forms. In cases when their quality and color make them suitable for use as a semiprecious stone, this is their most common use.

In the crevices of igneous rocks, agates occur when silica in the groundwater is deposited. This explains why you may find bigger agates with perfectly round faces. The volcanic rock the agate developed inside served as a kind of a mold for the finished product. Fortunately, Oregon is ideal for the formation of stunning agates.

In what ways can beachcombers determine the origin of agates?

The variety of colors present in agates is one of the things that fascinate me most about them. You can find any color you can think of, and even some that are extremely uncommon. The amazing spectrum of colors found in agates is the result of a complex interaction between the many minerals that make up the stone.

If you find an agate on the seashore, the first thing you should do is check its opacity (translucent quality). When held up to the sun, all agates appear translucent, though some are more see-through than others. The opacity of an agate is indicative of its mineral content and crystalline structure, and as such, it is useful not only for identification but also for determining the type of agate you have discovered.