Kentucky agates are found in parts of Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Rockcastle, and Powell counties in east-central Kentucky, along the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains (figure 2).
Where can you find agate in Kentucky?
Agates can be found in river and stream beds all over Kentucky, but the most famous collecting sites are in the Knobs region of the east-central part of the state. In western Kentucky, the best agate hunting locations are in the gravels and sandpits of Graves County.
What rocks are worth money in Kentucky?
There are some beautiful minerals, and some quite valuable, that can be found in Kentucky, such as fluorite, diamonds, coal, calcite, dolomite, pyrite, and Celestine, among others.
How do you identify a Kentucky agate?
Inspect the surface of the stone for pit marks. Agates sometimes form in igneous rock and are surrounded by softer rock that erodes away, which can result in surface pitting. Slide your fingers into a crack in the stone or a part of the exterior that has worn away. If you feel waxiness, this is a sign of an agate.
Where can I dig for crystals in KY?
There are a quite a few locations where quartz can be found in Kentucky. The Columbia Mine in Crittenden County, Halls Gap in Lincoln County, the Lafayette Mine in Crittenden County and at Kings Mountain in Lincoln County are all areas where quartz crystals have been found. Generally they are common clear crystals.
Can diamonds be found in KY?
In the United States, Arkansas, Colorado, and Wyoming contain kimberlites that have produced diamonds. Kentucky contains both of these type of rocks — kimberlites in Elliott County and lamprophyre dikes in western Kentucky — although no naturally occurring diamonds have ever been found in either of these rocks.
What gems are found in KY?
Most often, geodes found in Kentucky are lined with quartz crystals. Less commonly, the calcite or dolomite crystals are found on the inside, either alone or associated with bitumen, barite, galena, fluorite, quartz, limonite, sphalerite, pyrite, selenite, or celestite.
Can gold be found in Kentucky?
Kentucky Gold Locations
Gold is found in small quantities in several places in the northern parts of the state particularly in Kenton, Campbell and Boone counties. Records show that placer gold deposits have been found in areas along the Ohio River, although the quantities of gold in the places were quite limited.
What should I look for in agate hunting?
Look for areas where the waves have exposed rocky shores or tossed up material on top of the sand. When river hunting for agates, search when the water is low and gravel bars are exposed.
How can you tell if a rock is an agate?
Look to see how much light from the source passes through the stone. Agate is translucent, which means that only some of the light passes through. When you hold the stone up to a light source, the colors of the agate should shine a little and become more clear. If no light shines through, then the stone is opaque.
How much are agates worth per pound?
Agate, Fire Agate, Rough (By the Pound)
| Qty | Price (per unit) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $35.99 |
| 2 – 5 | $32.99 |
| 6 – 10 | $29.99 |
| 11+ | $27.99 |
Are there geodes in Kentucky?
Most often, geodes found in Kentucky are lined with quartz crystals. Less commonly, the calcite or dolomite crystals are found on the inside, either alone or associated with bitumen, barite, galena, fluorite, quartz, limonite, sphalerite, pyrite, selenite, or celestite.
What precious metals are found in Kentucky?
Mineral resources in Kentucky fall into four broad categories: metals, gemstones, industrial and coal, and oil and natural gas. Metals include zinc, lead, iron, copper, titanium, and rare earth elements. Pearls, diamonds, and agates are examples of semiprecious or precious gemstones.
Is there iron ore in Kentucky?
Many mines in eastern and western Kentucky supplied iron ore to approximately 30 furnaces. Most of the Kentucky deposits are small discrete lenses with small reserves.
What is mined in Kentucky?
Kentucky has two distinct coal fields, each containing numerous deposits of bituminous coal of various characteristics and mines of every type and size.
Can you find freshwater pearls in Kentucky?
Freshwater pearls can be found in Kentucky and are attractive, but they are not typical gemstones. Gemstones are usually minerals. Pearls are deposits of calcium carbonate (aragonite, calcite, or both) called nacre.
Where can I find freshwater pearls in Kentucky?
Tennessee River Valley
Freshwater pearls are found in the Tennessee River Valley and the Mississippi River Valley of Kentucky. These unique gemstones are created by freshwater mussels (bivalve mollusks).
Is there any buried treasure in Kentucky?
In the 1760s, Jonathan Swift buried a heaping $150,000 in silver bars and ore somewhere along the Breaks of Sandy River in a cave. It was said to be along Highway 80, near Elkhorn City around the base of Pine Mountain.
Can silver be found in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, the surficial geology is not favorable for the natural occurrence of gold or silver. Most of the surface and near-surface rocks are sedimentary, and there has been no igneous, metamorphic, or tectonic event to allow the gold or precious metal to be concentrated in economic quantities.
Is there any silver in Kentucky?
It is very unlikely that there is any natural occurrence of gold, silver, or any precious metals in the Paleozoic rocks of eastern Kentucky. Based on geologic studies, the surface rocks in eastern Kentucky are not a favorable site for gold or silver exploration.
What is the rarest agate color?
purple, which this lovely gem has. Fire agate typically comes from. Mexico, and boasts an oil slick type.