The best places to find geodes in Idaho are in the southeastern part of the state, particularly in the Antelope Creek area, basalt exposures near Pole Creek, and the gravels of Big Lost River. Geodes can also be found in beds all along Highway 93 just north of the Idaho-Nevada border.
Are geodes found in Idaho?
Quartz-lined geodes can be found in the upper valley of Lost River in Custer County, near the DeLamar Silver Mine in Owyhee County, and northwest of the town of Weiser, Idaho in Washington County. Usually no permits are needed for amateurs to collect rocks on Idaho public lands.
Where is the easiest place to find geodes?
Geodes are found throughout the world, but the most concentrated areas are located in the deserts. Volcanic ash beds, or regions containing limestone, are common geode locations. There are many easily accessible geode collecting sites in the western United States, including in California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada.
Where can I dig for gems in Idaho?
Rockhounding
| GEMSTONE OR ROCK NAME | COUNTY | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| AGATES – RED & GREEN Cryptocrystalline Quartz | OWYHEE | Eastern fringe of Succor Creek |
| AGATIZED WOOD | CUSTER | 12 miles south of Challis along US 93A |
| WASHINGTON | Hog Creek 8-10 miles northwest of Weiser | |
| AMETHYST | BLAINE | Pole Creek |
Where are geodes most commonly found?
desert regions
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 gem in Idaho?
the Star Garnet
For those who really know their trivia, you might also know that the state gem is the Star Garnet. Although the garnet itself is rare, Idaho is one of only two places in the world (the other is in India) where the star garnet can be found, making this particular variety exceptionally special.
Is it legal to collect rocks in Idaho?
Limited collection of rocks and minerals, petrified wood and common invertebrate or plant fossils for personal use is allowed on most National Forest System lands. These materials may be collected without a permit provided the collecting is for personal, hobby, and noncommercial use.
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?
Tell-Tale Signs of a Geode
- Geodes are usually spherical, but they always have a bumpy surface.
- Geodes will sometimes have loose material inside, which can be heard when shaking the rock.
- Geodes are usually lighter than their size would indicate since the interior doesn’t contain any material.
How do you tell if a rock is a geode from the outside?
Look for rocks that have a unique, bumpy texture on the exterior. Geodes are rarely perfectly smooth. The texture of a geode’s exterior may have a cauliflower-like appearance. Inspect the surface for any signs of minerals inside.
What gems are only found in Idaho?
Idaho’s nickname is “The Gem State.” It has a long history of producing a variety of gem materials. The most important gems produced to date have been garnet and opal. Notable amounts of jade, topaz, zircon, and tourmaline have also been found in Idaho.
Are there opals in Idaho?
In Idaho, Opal is the second largest contributor to the total value of gem material produced. The varieties produced include precious (white and pink), yellow, blue, pink, and common.
Where can I find opal in Idaho?
The small town of Spencer in eastern Idaho is often referred to as “The Opal Capital of America”. After all, it’s here you’ll find the largest opal mine in the state—Spencer Opal Mine—where you can dig for your own opals.
What should I look for when geode hunting?
Recognizing 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.
How much is a geode rock worth?
A geode can be worth anywhere from $5 to more than $1000, depending on its type and location. The price will vary widely based on whether the rock has been cut open because geodes often contain crystals inside of them which make them more valuable when exposed correctly (e.g., cutting along an axis).
Can you find geodes in creeks?
They are commonly found in rock geodes in creeks and streams. Geodes are rounded-looking stones with a hollow interior in which the crystals form. From the outside, they don’t look like much, but they can be full of beautiful purple and violet sparkles when you break them open.
Is there jade in Idaho?
Notable amounts of jade, topaz, zircon, and tourmaline have also been found in Idaho. Agate, jasper, and petrified wood in many colors and patterns have been found and produced from small deposits throughout the state.
Is there amethyst in Idaho?
Amethyst in Idaho
Amethyst has been found at Pole Creek in Blaine County, Hog Creek in Washington County west of Weiser, along the North Fork of the Lost River, on the Yankee Fork near Stanley, and Challis Creek in near Custer. In Butte County, amethyst has been found at Antelope Creek and Road Creek.
Can diamonds be found in Idaho?
Diamonds are found in Idaho, but not enough for mining, but rockhounds find a few. The biggest diamond ever found in the U.S. was found between McCall and New Meadows. It weighed 19 1/2 carats.
Where can I go rockhounding in Idaho?
The best places to rockhound in Idaho are in streams and river gravels, particularly in the Clearwater and Salmon Rivers. Old mine tailings in areas like the Seven Devils district are great for finding gemstones, and the Spencer Opal Mine is a great option for finding raw fire opals.
Is it legal to take geodes?
yes. You can take rocks and minerals from public lands. But there are a number of things that you need to keep in mind. For example, you can only collect rocks on BLM lands if it’s for personal use and not used to sell.