Looking to do it all in one location? You are on your own, so plan and Fire agate from the Deer Creek deposit (Arizona, USA)-new insights into structure and mineralogy. Determining the Transparency of Your Sample. On the sides of this ridge, below and surrounding the solid rock outcrops, are loose accumulations of smaller broken rock, coarse rock debris, and soil that is in the process of being carried downslope from the rock outcrops. When looking forwhere to find gems near Phoenix, the town of Morristown, located just northwest of Phoenix, is a great place to go rockhounding for a day. In the United States, agates are mostly found in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Master Faceter, Avid Rock Hound, World Traveler, Fanny pack is the ultimate way to collect these Agates. It is characterized by dazzling arrays of colors in various patterns of depth into the stone. collectors. odometer at this point. Agate is a variety of chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline form of quartz. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Terrain Satellite Forest Service Carto Open Street Map. Translation of BLM wordage: the big pieces have already been picked up by somebody else before you got here. But dont be put off: there are still tons of collectable material out there somewhere! Actually this is not a problem for two reasons: the first being that the area at the Black Hills site where fire agate and chalcedony can be found is vast, comprising thousands of acres of public BLM land surrounding the main collecting area, some of which comprises incredibly rough and steep terrain which is rarely visited. Keep reading below to learn more about what to bring, clothing types, and driving directions. I think I am just going to go for it this weekend and go to Saddle Mountaincant find anything if I don't look..it was suggested to go to the south side of the mountain and look over there instead of the well picked over north side..wish me luck!!! Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Fire Agate-rough-SE Arizona(1) at the best online prices at eBay! Holding some of the largest copper deposits in the world underneath its rocky soils, Arizona has continued to produce vast amounts of copper for the world market for the past century. Looking east to the Mogollon Mountains in the Gila Wilderness across the rolling grassland of Mule Creek Country just off State Road 78. Notable for having some of the finest ranch land in Southern New Mexico, the Mule Creek area is a mile-high landscape of rolling grasslands offset by a sparse scattering of Alligator Juniper trees. Check out our arizona fire agate selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our rocks & geodes shops. Free shipping. This particular spot is considered to be Although the region used to be known for producing gold nuggets and placer gold, you might still be able to obtain several unexpected finds if you browse in the ideal spots. HIKING Free shipping for many products! At this BLM site, camping is allowed, though four wheel drive is recommended and no real amenities exist. The Indian Gardens Paleo Site contains a large variety and density of small invertebrate shelled organisms in the limestone and sandstone layers. A few locations are worth noting. For more information or to schedule a guided tour please contact Doug (928) 215-9912 or visit www.rockabuyrocksandgifts.com. LOCATION This can happen from an air bubble in a volcanic rock, or a mineralized animal burrow or tree root. I did some fire agate collecting out in the Saddle mountain area about year ago. Below is a map of fires that are currently burning in Arizona, as compiled by thewildfire tracking website InciWeb, operated by the U.S. Forest Service. How To Find GEODES! graded dirt road two miles to the fire agate digs. Overview Semiprecious Gemstone. Whether youre interested in collecting quartz, amethyst, jasper, or any other type of rock or mineral, weve got you covered. This list does not include prescribed burns. Many eastern Arizona campers are accustomed to Hey there! Round Mountain. Carlisle Mining District Area - Rockhounding. 1. any rock collecting, gemstone hunting or have just thought about As you see, we have riverbeds and banks to mountain peaks. I highly recommend visiting Arizona to utilize our public lands and engage in some serious rockhounding. These are pieces of white chalcedony that also become concentrated on the lower slopes through the breakdown of the andesite bedrock. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. be high. Best fire agate location in CA is in Christopher's back yard!!!! New Mexico), turn right onto a dirt road, which is just before a CONNECTICUT YANKEE 64 Club members collect on Topaz Mountain.By Mark Leatherman Boots on the ground in the. The mining is again in operation for Rock Hounds that hope to find some fire agates and opals by hard rock mining. We are obsessed with the outdoors, and work constantly to bring you the information you need to enjoy the rocks and minerals you've added to your collection. As a seasoned rockhound and creator of this site, were here to provide, Design a site like this with WordPress.com, The Geology of Saddle Mountain Fire Agate, The Geology of Saddle Mountain Fire Agate: Uncovering the Secrets Behind Its Formation, Composition, and UnusualProperties. This particular spot is considered to be among . 575-535-4455 info@casitasdegila.com Southwestern Guesthouses on 265 Acres near Silver City, New Mexico overlooking Bear Creek and the Gila Wilderness rock collectors and gem-seekers is the Black Hills Rockhound Area, The most desirable colors are usually blue, green, and purple, and they can usually be purchased for about $15 to $25 per carat. This mine has been in operation sporadically from the 1900s and produces a portion of the finest Amethyst globally, varying in color from dark purple to violet with a rosy undertone. Youll be digging for and collecting Fire Agate in Duncan, Arizona at the Lazy B Ranch. The nearly perfect shape and clarity quartz crystals at this site can be found sitting on the surface at times, but can also be found by digging via handtools. Notice the great views to the west of the Peloncillo We have Mexican Fire Agate and Arizona Fire agate. It is the birthstone for the month of August and is a common gemstone among other jewelry. highway is a Round Mountain sign and the start of a road that loops Arizona is one of the highest caliber rockhounding states and receives visitors from all corners of the world in search of Arizona rocks, gemstones, minerals and fossils which find themselves scattered across this geologic treasure trove. They can spend a bit of time looking for fossils as well because it is right in the center of Arizona and enclosed by the National Forest. Phoenix and the surrounding areas offer a wealth of opportunities for rockhounds of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned experts. LockA locked padlock From Black Canyon City south to Prescott. These areas are open to the public and are under the Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. I've found some cool pieces over there and have been several times. From Phoenix take I-10 west towards Tonopah. The westward view from this overlook affords a marvelous long-distance view into the Sonoran Desert Country within the Basin and Range Province of Arizona, with the 10,696 foot towering presence of Mt. During the Tertiary Period, these particular regions experienced massive volcanic activity that created these gemstone deposits. The gold can be found around a wide region and in many locations. The important result of this process is, of course, that the concentration of fire agate and chalcedony which was less than 1% in the original solid host rock may now be increased many times over in the loose, unconsolidated sediments and mineral soil, which in addition to being picked up on the surface can be successfully recovered by digging with pick and shovel. Doug Barlow said the bigger rocks are popular among those who like to whittle. Which of the several will give me the best chance of a good piece? Keep an eye out for brown and orange colored chalcedony everywhere from the paved street to the foot of the mountain. The Four Peaks Amethyst mine continues to operate in a primitive manner due to its challenging location. THE FIRE AGATE AND CHALCEDONY OF THE BLACK HILLS ROCKHOUND AREA, Every year during the Summer Monsoon Season intense thunderstorms expose, transport, and deposit new fire agate and chalcedony for collecting as heavy rain runoff rushes down from the higher regions of the Black Hills Rockhound Area to the lowlands below, Looking west from the prominent ridge on north side of fire agate deposit towards the parking area at Black Hills Rockhound area in center of photo, 2 miles in from US Highway 191. None other than the state gemstone of Arizona, turquoise is an iconic stone and color of southwest folklore. . Support local journalism. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. see a sign indicating the area is ahead. Azurite, Fluorite, Pyrite, Copper minerals, and calcite are only a few of the minerals that can be found if you know where to look. In this article, well, Welcome to your online guide to finding the rare and coveted Saddle Mountain Fire Agate. The wide-open pits are littered with piles of malachite, azurite, among other copper ores. nH20) imbedded within, and commonly completely enclosed by, semi-transparent to translucent layers of cryptocrystalline chalcedony. Some of my favorite rocks to find are fire agates and crystals. Additionally, jasper, agate, valuable metals, and sometimes even thundereggs are among the minerals and rocks found here. AZ 511 Travel and Road Status Information. Address: old Route 66 4 miles north . Arizona is proud to contain the biggest mine of this precious gemstone in the world, peridot. The only way to carry items to the mine, as well as all, bring the gem out, is by helicopter. You'll spend most of your time picking up Agates right off the . document.write(year) Rather than face defeat, the Apache warriors took them and their horses leaping over the edge of a cliff to their death below at a location now known as Apache Leap outside of the town of Superior Arizona. Although its origin is unknown, it is always associated with volcanic deposits. Both andesite and rhyolite ash fall welded tuff bedrock occur along the top of the ridge north of parking area. Delivered right as the newspaper goes to print on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Be sure to confirm the land status and collection rules before you travel to an unfamiliar location or collect any material. It has a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. great wide-open area for primitive camping. without restrictions to what or where you can Dig. So in the meantime, good luck in your quest and enjoy the chase! Ph# 1 (928)565-4145. Mar 19, 2013 - One of my favorite spots to find fire agate chips and pieces of fire agate. Sami Fine Jewelry is not only one of the few fine jewelers who design jewelry with Four Peaks amethyst, plus give guests a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter expedition of the Four Peaks Amethyst Mine. Active Fire (<1000 acres) . Though fire agate can be found at a few locations across the state, the Round Montain Rockhound Area on BLM land near the towns of Safford and Duncan is your best avenue for collection. Graham297 is located in T9S R20E Sec 12 N2 in the Kennedy Peak - 7.5 Min quad. It is said to bring wearers of the stone peace, success, and good luck. Fire agate is a limonite-bearing layered form of chalcedony or microcrystalline quartz with a botryoidal, or grape-like formation. 711 14th Avenue As weathering of the andesite bedrock continues over time, the bedrock and large blocks of andesite found higher up on the ridge are broken down into smaller and smaller pieces and loose mineral soil which are gradually transported further and further downslope by Monsoon rain runoff. Overall,rockhounding near Phoenix, Arizona, is a big deal because the availability of locations and actual gems is mind-blowing. It belongs to the family of cryptocrystalline quartz. A rockhound might go insane just gazing around, but at the end of the trip, the collector will scour through a tailings pile for samples. Please provide feedback on the locations we provide and well do our best to update the page to make it more accurate. The quest continues to this day despite no proof of gold ever being found within the Superstition Mountains. Terrain. Agates can show a wide variety of vivid, multiple colors. Perhaps the best known agate beds are between Kingman and Oatman along Highway 66, just west of Ed's Camp. Graham commands the center skyline 52 miles in the distance. This means that you need to first find where it formed, and then work the matrix out whilst collecting the agate. Gila, New Mexico 88038, 2022 Casitas de Gila, Inc. Updated January 2022, MENU: 80 item (s) - Page 1 of 5. There are also Fire Agate stones that are full colored but need direct lighting to see their vibrance. Successive floods will, of course, bury previously deposited layers of the concentrated fire agate and chalcedony as the erosion of the bedrock upslope on the ridge continues and the wedge shaped deposits surrounding the ridge thicken. If you decide to visit some of these abandoned mines, be sure to obtain permission from the homeowners, avoid going underground, and exercise extreme caution at all times. From here, drive 4.3 miles past the railroad crossing. In Tucson, there is excellent prospecting. Check out our arizona fire agates selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. In most cases the overall volume percentage of chalcedony and fire agate that forms within the flow rock is extremely small much less than 1%, although examination of the vertical sequence of the Black Hill andesite deposits does show that certain layers or levels do contain more void space and hence higher concentrations of chalcedony and fire agate than others. highway, turn left onto the road to Round Mountain, where you also Petrified wood is formed when ancient logs are buried and then the decomposition process leads to the wood being replaced with silica and trace minerals. but also shows interesting swirls, bubbles and patterns. For guidelines and a map, phone 888-837-1841. At 77-years-old Duncan . (623-580-5500) Nearest City: Tonopah Elevation: 1214'-1452 Best Time: Fall-Spring Access is easiest from U.S. Highway 191, just east of milepost 141. This is a well labeled site off of highway 260 approximately 12-13 miles east from the town of Payson, AZ. If you havent seen the Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Shows in the first two months annually, you are missing out on a true gem enthusiasts world of treasures. . Wick Communications. I Know there are quite a few other minerals found around saddle mtn as well and the fire agateso we may go poking about looking for that too.wish there was fluoriteive been tring to find a good source of purple or blue fluorite for some time now.eventually I suppose. Click here to remove banner ads from this forum. Geodes are rocks which contained hollowed out cavities lined with a spectacular display of fine crystals. The Black Hills Rockhound Area is one of the BLM designated sites for collecting minerals and gems, including fire agate. Salome is spelled that same way as Salome. Pure chalcedony, while composed of only cryptocrystalline SiO2, is actually a very fine intergrowth of two separate minerals, quartz and moganite, which have the same chemical composition but differ in their crystal structure. auspices of the Bureau of Land Management. Arizona, The Grand Canyon State, is obviously no stranger to rocks and gemstones. Home > Fire Agate. If you have photos, videos, or a new location youd like to share with the rockhound community then contact us directly and we will feature it on the site. Within a short drive of Safford lie two areas where gemstones Good luck to you at Saddle Mountain. A rockhound will want to pack a variety of tools for this trip. The Fire Agate will stabilize the aura, removing and transmuting negative energies. A second interesting area in the eastern Arizona outdoors for At Three Way, Highway 78 ends and the journey continues straight ahead on U.S. Highway 191 to once again cross the Gila River and for the next 13 miles passes through a fascinating Sonoran Desert landscape of weathered and dissected volcanic hills, mountainous ridges, mesas, and sharp pinnacles or buttes, almost all of which is public BLM or State of Arizona land. Mexico: Fire agate, lace agate, banded agate. The fire agates are found south of Arizona whereas Laguna agates are prevalent in Estacion Ojo Laguna, in the state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico. The Bear Fire wasburning 25miles north of Clifton in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, near U.S.Highway 191. Located about 65 miles southeast of Safford, Arizona, the Round Mountain BLM Rockhound Area is the most remote of the three free Arizona collecting sites. It did say the area had been hit hard by collectors over the years, so do I give it a go anyways? Nice Rare Specimen of high grade Arizona fire agate, with sweet colors showing. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. Near the town of Safford, Arizona lies your ticket to finding fire agate, a brilliant gemstone found only in the southwest. Invalid password or account does not exist. Location Type: Public Access Details: This is land governed by BLM (Bureau of Land Management - government). best specimens contain deep browns and reds, hence the name fire We are thrilled that you found our website and are planning a rockhounding trip near you. or better condition than you found it - clean and ready for the volcanic activity. Dont worry the process is fairly simple and youre guaranteed to find some amazing nodules. For tips on how to tell the difference you can read my post, 3 Tips On How To Tell If Turquoise Is Real Or Fake. The drive from the Casitas to the Black Hills Area takes about 1.5 hours, traveling on excellent highways that pass through some of the most scenic mountain country in Southwestern New Mexico and Southeastern Arizona. Arizona is no stranger to the wild disease referred to as Gold Fever that seems to overcome people blinded by the thought of newfound riches. Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution. Welcome Guest. If youre interested in the rock collecting hobby, are trying to figure out where to go rockhounding in Arizona, or are just interested in learning more, youre in the right place! For over 50 years, people from all over have been coming to Saddle Mountain in search of Fire Agate. Primitive campsites are laid out as you come into the area. NEWS This collection consists of various reports, maps, records and related materials . Though fire agate can be found at a few locations across the state, the Round Montain Rockhound Area on BLM land near the towns of Safford and Duncan is your best avenue for collection. You can park anywhere along here to start scouting for fire 1. Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. Its found in Northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. This is also a great wide-open area for primitive camping. Fire agate is a vitreous and waxy Silicon dioxide crystal with traces of iron. Tours of a copper mine in general. Rock-A-Buy Rock and Gifts. They are a rounded obsidian volcanic black glass core surrounded by a rough black outer surface. Fire Agate. We won't share it with anyone else. A half mile past milepost 5 (in Fire agate is one of the more rare gemstones around, and its unusual patterns ensure that every piece makes a bold statement. Amateur prospectors have found thousands of ounces of gold in the Bradshaw Range north of Phoenix. Turns out it's just a little over an hour from where I live. area looking for the best specimens; they cover the ground like invites exploration for the hardy. A nice variety of different fossils and minerals can be found in the desert just west of Palo Verde. It is estimated that the San Carlos Indian Reservation supplies 80%-90% of the world supply that is mined only by San Carlos Tribal members. Several fires were ravagingtheir way across Arizona because ofan unusually dry season. MOUNTAIN BIKING, MEMBERS You will have a whale of a time, especially since the variety of gems in this area is vast. Round Mountain Rockhound Area is a prime collecting spot for fire agates, an uncommon semi-precious gem found only in Mexico, California and Arizona. MORE THINGS TO DO West Chev Fire: 1,170 acres. "In an article he penned back in 1977, Jones states that he began to work it in 1941. . Turning in off the highway, a well-maintain gravel road is followed for two miles to a parking area where another sign informs the visitor that they are at the center of the Black Hills Fire Agate deposit, and further states that while small pieces of fire agate can be found on the surface, large pieces will have to be dug for! Please note that there are private mining assertions in this region; therefore, regard the estate privileges of landowners and refrain from collecting specimens from those claimed properties. Speaking ofwhere to find rocks near Phoenix, old mines and prospects clutter the area around this city in western Arizona. The site can be accessed via highway 260 east out of the town of Payson, AZ. Looking for a fun and educational outdoor activity? Cuesta Fire Agate Mine. This is a fantastic place to spend a day or two taking in the scenery whilst also building on your rock and mineral collection. Found in the Saddle Mountain area of Arizona, this agate boasts stunning colors and patterns, along with a fiery iridescence that sets it apart from other agates. An astounding type of chalcedony, fire agate is a semi-precious gemstone found only in northern Mexico and the southwest United States. Arizona mined fire agate. To the observant and slow walker among this Sonoran desert landscape, a fire agate or two can be found. Safford, AZ - Fire Agate. Fire agate. fees or permits required. Arizona Fire Agate and Chalcedony Free Form. numerous wildflowers sprout from the hillsides during the Round Mountain Rockhound Area is a prime collecting spot for For casual rockhounds visiting or living in Arizona; the vast amounts of public lands, coupled with the rich diversity in rocks, gemstones, and minerals make Arizona a true rockhounds dream. Agate is a semi-precious gemstone formed by relatively recent In this photo weathered and disintegrating blocks of andesite comprise the foreground on left, and the high promontories on far right horizon, and rhyolite welded tuff constitutes the cliffs in middle distant horizon. normally suitable for passenger cars. THE 5 CASITAS This rule is what makes this rockhound destination the perfect place to see and appreciate the petrified wood, as it has not been tainted by frivolous collectors. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. This particular spot is considered to be among the richest areas in the world for this gem. Create a password that only you will remember. Great primitive camping - Lots of chalcedony. We spent 3 days here, and enjoyed the solitude. Arizona. From root wads to branches, you can see petrified wood in many forms in the National Park. Here are the remaining fire agate properties: Mohs hardness: 6-7. This National Park offers an unsurpassed viewing opportunity, while the collection of specimens is strictly prohibited. However, the agate in the area is beautiful. Mama Raes Rocks and Rhymes: A Book All Rockhounds Will Love, Where To Find Peridot in Arizona (4 Must Visit Sites). Some of the early pioneers in fire agate mining at Deer . Its private land. The site is open for digging by the public without fees or permits. The most representative specimens contain deep iridescence of reds and browns, hence its fiery name. among the richest areas in the world for this gem. Some say that the color of the stone resembles the intense heat of the area. Please give us a call at 928-428-2560, Copyright The Mine is open 12 months of the year. Safford, AZ 85546. A containment date of July 12 was given on July 10. It has a specific gravity of 2.60 to 2.64, and a refractive index of 1.530 to 1.543. Once again, this is an excellent location for families and junior rockhounds. Known so far only from specific locations in central and northern Mexico and the southwestern United States (New Mexico, Arizona, and California) is Fire Agate, a variety of chalcedony. Having been ravaged by collectors through the years, it is sparse on lands where collection is open. Crystal structure: Hexagonal. The mine follows an angular vein of quartz on the side of the rough mountaintops. You, however, have to be mindful of claimed properties and keep in mind that information at some places may have changed recently, so always seek permission before rockhounding. When one thinks of a mine, images of deep shafts or dark tunnels usually come to mind. They should have snacks and drinks in case they get thirsty or hungry. Black Mountain Fire Agates Payson B.F.E Payson area agate and geodes Payson area rock crystal west of Payson - agate etc. And in that respect, rockhounding is much like fishing:. See current wildfires and wildfire perimeters in Arizona using the Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center Wildfire Map. However, it must be kept in mind that it is this very same question that has perplexed every prospector in the American Southwest for over a hundred years, and in most cases it is only after much personal experience and perseverance that Mother Nature will even consider beginning to answer the question. This location has been written about in rock & mineral magazine and there are multiple YouTube videos showing ordinary rockhounds collecting beautiful Fire Agate nodules. Be careful not to get pierced when you try to grab some lovely specimen that has your eyes glittering! 1/4 Pound Fire Agate Cabochon Cab San Carlos Arizona Rough FAR5/1923. for rockhounding and non-commercial removal of specimens, with no Additional information about these two rockhound areas can be Arizona, being home to a diverse variety of crystals, also contains a wide distribution of geodes. A DAY TRIP OF COLLECTING AT THE BLACK HILLS ROCKHOUND AREA. Numerous ancient mines and mining camps have private owners, so ask permission before searching and collecting their land. Contained as of July 14. Dont forget about the weather and make sure to dress appropriately. I really hope youre able to get out and explore the unique natural resource treasures my home state of Arizona possess.