California
California Agates Page 3
Included here are examples of agates that I feel are a pretty good cross-section of some of the better varieties of material that can be found in the state of California. The pieces that come from public locations are named, all others are from private locations, some of which I personally discovered. Specimens that are unpolished are shown wet to better show their colors.
Please be sure to know the status of the land you are planning to collect on if you are going out to collect in the field. Be aware if it is BLM, State Land, Forest Service, or someone’s mining claim. Whether you agree with it or not, please respect people’s mining claims and collect somewhere off the claim – there are plenty of areas to collect without having to go on to people’s personal claims.
When collecting in California I tend to focus on finding fortification agate in colors of pink and purple whenever I can find them. Also, one of my favorite areas to collect has always been the Cady Mtns., there is such an amazing variety of beautiful agate there. Unfortunately, word has gotten out about this area and it has been hit really hard in recent years. Luckily, I was able to collect there back in the day when you could still find beautiful pieces on the ground.
New pictures will be added in no particular order. Hopefully, as the gallery grows, all you crazy agate lovers out there will find my collection as interesting and beautiful as I do. Periodically I will include pieces that aren’t agate or jasper, but are noteworthy enough in their own way to be included here.
Enjoy!
Calico, Tumble Polished Slabbette
1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″ x 1/4″ This is a very rare piece of Calico sagenite agate that was dug out many decades ago. I managed to find a small amount of it that I dug, cut, and polished. This piece is filled with furry little bundles of green sagenite in a background of translucent agate with a druzy coating on the edge.
Barstow, Unpolished Slab
4″ x 2 3/4″ x 1/4″ Another nice slab of Paul Bunyon tube agate in shades of dark red. As far as I know, this area is under claim and can no longer be collected.
Needles, Unpolished Slab
4 1/8″ x 2 1/2″ x 1/4″ This is a pretty slab in shades of aqua blue and green. This is a beautiful rare chalcedony that requires hard rock mining to acquire it.
Mojave, Unpolished Slab
4 1/4″ x 2 3/4″ x 1/4″ This is an unusual slab in shades of pink, lavender, cream, and salmon that is very similar in look to Dryhead agate patterns & colors.
Mojave, Polished Specimen
3″ x 2″ x 1 1/2″ This is a great piece of green filament moss agate in shades of cream and green in a clear agate background. This is a fantastic moss deposit I accidentally stumbled upon while lost out in the mountains.
Mojave, Polished Specimen
2 1/4″ x 1″ x 1 1/8″ This is a gorgeous pieces of purple fortification agate with a fine spray of orange sagenite at the bottom and an open center lined with white druzy crystals.
Owl Hole, Unpolished Endcut
4″ x 1 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ This is a terrific piece in shades of pale blue and yellow with a pretty open center lined with fine light blue druzy crystals and sprays of golden sagenite all around.
Mojave, Unpolished Slab
3″ x 1 1/4″ x 1/4″ This is a really cool little slab that is filled with bands that contain spherules and snowflakes in a background of lavender and pale grey translucent agate.
Horse Canyon, Unpolished Slab
3 3/4″ x 2 1/8″ x 1/4″ This is a pretty slab in shades of aqua blue and green. This is a beautiful rare chalcedony that requires hard rock mining to acquire it.