The clear sort is the most common, but theres also a surprising amount of the pink variant known as morganite. Afton Canyon Its relatively untouched because it was incredibly difficult to find before modern GPS became standard on most phones and cars, and that means that not a lot of diggers have taken advantage of the site. The Dugway Geode Beds are a Rockhounding hotspot. Your email address will not be published. With over 50 different rockhounding locations, youre guaranteed to find an area or two that best suit your interests. Called the Serpent Mound zinc district, it's home to some geodes containing calcite and barite. If you go to SoCal to dig up geodes, you must visit the Cinnamon Beds dig site. The Potato Patch is a geode bed thats right next to the Hauser Geode Beds. Smoky and amethyst quartz geodes are also found here, but theyre rare compared to the more common clear formations. Geodes are found throughout the world, but the most concentrated areas are located in the deserts. We found some quartz specimens with beautiful inclusions and pyrite cubes scattered on the ground during our visit to Lake Cachumas south shore trail. You can usually find these minerals near streams and rocky outcrops. The key to successfully rockhounding in Pino Grande is to get to know the area first. Youll also need the basics like a collection bucket and brushes. It is your responsibility to know the rockhounding laws and regulations for each site you visit. The area has some of the best rockhounding sites youll find near LA and outside of Alaska. It is a barium titanium silicate mineral, typically of a blue color, found in hydrothermal rocks with a chemical composition of Ba Ti(Si 3O9). The Black Hills are located in Imperial County, and the specific location Im talking about is near the far edge of the Colorado Desert. Thundereggs are typically found embedded in the clay of the tuff, which is very near to the surface of the Earth. The majority of the blue material that shows up has been irradiated since the radiation will bring out the blue color in the majority of clear topaz. Oddly enough, the color favored for the simple use of topaz has changed from a brown-yellow close to citrine to a sky blue color thats fond often in the jewelry trade. Where can I rock hunt in southern California? What can I text my friend to make her smile? The selenite, on the other hand, tends to be crystal clear although some have taken on a yellowish tint from various impurities that were included when it formed. (NASA). We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. The minerals youll find include tourmaline, aquamarine, lepidolite, morganite, quartz crystals, feldspar crystals, and many more. It is also your responsibility to verify and gain permission to visit each collection site that is mentioned on this website. The main varieties found as gem-grade samples in SoCal are spessartine garnets, which are a deep orange color and have good clarity. Gold and petrified wood samples can be found in this area, as well. Theyre open to the public on select days, and theyre right across the street from Sharktooth Hill. The Best Places to Look for Geodes in Southern California Hauser Geode Beds. 2 Eureka, CA. Its unmarked, and there arent any road signs to help you out. Here, you can partake in several in-season activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding when you want to take a break from rockhounding. However the quality of the jade found here is not of particularly high quality. Remember! So, you might want to be careful if you decide to enter them, and make sure you bring along the right equipment to properly explore an old mine. Thundereggs are typically found embedded in the clay of the tuff, which is very near to the surface of the Earth. A-Z Jewelry Supply & Crystal Shop. In terms of texture, geodes are most often comparable to cauliflower. Thundereggs are solid nodules of chalcedony that lack the internal hollow of geodes. The flat desert floor has some exceptional specimens of fire agate and nice petrified wood specimens. Many of the hotspots arent revealed but plenty of prospectors bring amazing material in from that area. While some areas are better than others, the truth is that its a popular past time in California and its usually not too hard to scare up a few milligrams of gold as long as youre not on the far Eastern edge of the state. Youll find food, fuel, and other necessities in Baker and Barstow, so be sure to pass by for the occasional reload. Indeed, beaches across the entire state are known to wash up some great samples of these stones on a regular basis. If youre fond of trilobites, you shouldnt miss Chamblesss Rock Collecting Area. For the most part, Potato Patch is just like Hauser. In this lower Sonoran Desert landscape, rock-hounders are gifted with a unique variety of thunderegg. Peterson Mountain is a place that I recommend to serious rockhounds with a bit of experience under their belts. They call it rockhounding. Rockhounding Near Palm Springs California Disclaimer The deserts and mountains of Southern California are beautiful, and they also house an amazing array of different gems and minerals. Amethyst. The area is somewhat remote. Phone services are hit-and-miss, so make sure to always explore the area with a partner or a friend. The high altitude can also be a bit jarring for the inexperienced, and there arent any stores, hospitals, or services nearby. The amethyst stone can be found in pockets and veins of quartz further up on the eastern slopes of the mountain range. Geodes are plentiful, ripe for the taking, and challenging to collect. Limestone is normally brown or a bluish gray in color, and it may be found in warm locations with shallow water that are not very deep. Californias Himalaya Mine is located in the Mesa Grande District, Jamestown, Californias Gold Prospecting Adventures, The OceanView Mine, located in the county of San Diego in the state of California. However, its a wholesome environment for beginners to enjoy a day of digging, and its great for family trips. Your email address will not be published. However the quality of the jade found here is not of particularly high quality. Quartz and standard calcite are the most common crystals that youll find here, but theres also a chance for you to find the highly sought after black calcite. You can also find iron, kenatite, geodes, and even gold. So, heres a link thatll allow you to view the public digging schedule, pricing and fees, and all the cool events the owners put on for the public! The topaz of SoCal is almost uniformly colorless. Although the state of California, the state of Utah, the state of Nevada, the state of Iowa, and the state of Arizona are all famous for their geodes, geodes may be found in the majority of other states as well. The beds of volcanic ash and locations rich in limestone are two more typical environments for the formation of geodes. As far as directions go, it would take pages upon pages of words to properly direct you to the site. Chalcedony itself is a complex intermixture of moganite and quartz, two crystalline forms of silica that form into a complex microstructure when combined. Here, youll find an extensive amount of hematite and magnetite in reddish-brown iron deposits near mining shafts, along with green epidote in the washes. The Calico Mountains are chock full of historical mines, so great caution is advised. So, you can easily add both locations to your trip if you plan on rockhounding for the weekend. Hauser Geode Beds The Hauser Geode Beds are famous among geode collectors, and they're located in Blythe, California. 4 Trinity County. Gold, hedenbergite, jaspers, quartz, and chert specimens are in abundance. Look for geodes in places like riverbeds, locations with a lot of limestone, and beds of volcanic ash in nations like the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Madagascar. Some of the best states to find geodes include Iowa, Oregon, Wyoming, and Nevada. Those tend to produce the largest and most desirable geodes in the area. There is a good chance that the rock in question is a geode if it is noticeably lighter in weight than the rocks that surround it. The only nearby services are provided by Wiley Campground. Here are our favorite spots to hunt rocks, crystals, and fossils that you should check out if you are visiting the area. A geode bed known as the Potato Patch may be found in close proximity to another geode bed known as the Hauser Geode Beds. The Hauser Geode Beds near Blythe, California are a site of pilgrimage for rockhounds who want to find geodes rich in quartz. So, you dont have to go spelunking to lug home some beautiful specimens. The beach known as Crescent Beach is located in Crescent City, California. Rockhounding in Southern California reached its height of popularity during the late 50s. where to find geodes in southern california 30 Nov. where to find geodes in southern california. Rockhounding Locations in Northern California 1 Crescent City, CA. Always respect private property! Youll also find multiple fluorite deposits, along with multi-colored agate, saginite, opalite, bubbly chalcedony, and calcite. For those willing to brave a bit of sun and sand this is a great region for rockhounding, with the potential for finding some very rare stones if you know where to look. This reduces our competition for hot rocks. Some miners dig in the washes and gullies where the ash layer is easy to see. Here the best samples are often found in the same mines, making it a good spot to start cracking open some stone. Amethyst. 38.1 mi. Its also open year-round, so we visit the site any time we can. The mine dump offers an abundance of rocks and minerals within one square mile, giving visitors the chance to pick up fine examples of their favorite treasures. The rockhounding site is also famed for other common rocks and minerals, such as the Apache tears and crystalline rhyolite. RockSeeker.com is reader-supported. Pebble Beach is the place to begin your search for glistening splendour. The Hauser Geode Beds are famous among geode collectors, and theyre located in Blythe, California. Its open to the public, and its a perfect place for both families and serious rock collectors. Look for geodes in places like riverbeds, locations with a lot of limestone, and beds of volcanic ash in nations like the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Madagascar. Palo Verde is mostly open for digging and hunting geodes. Geodes are natural formations. All across California, amateur geologists are scouring for ancient rocks, valuable minerals and world-famous gems. Consider going to the Crystal Mine, which is located close to Loyalton in California, if you are looking for an unusual place to spend the day that will undoubtedly lead to an exciting experience. Instead, most people seeking out gypsum formations in the Southern California desert are looking for the distinct shape of desert roses or the beautiful crystals of selenite. Although, calcite, agate, and other minerals are frequently found in the areas geodes. 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