Amethyst, Azurite, Calcite, Cerussite, Chalcopyrite, Epidote, Fluorite, Galena, Garnet, Malachite, Opal, Pyrite, Quartz, Tourmaline, Tremolite, etc. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases with no additional costs for you. The area draws and washes of Simpson Spring is another excellent location to find geodes in Utah. The broken ones showed blue and white banding - fortification and onyx. Azurite, Chalcopyrite, Gold, Malachite, Pyrite. Certainly, red beryl from the Wah Wah Mountains of Utah would be near the top of any rare gemstone list. Here, an abundance of geodes, but also quartz and amethyst crystals, can be found. non-navigable stream passing over DNR State Trust lands). montgomery isd teacher salary. Through quite a bit of research and cross-referencing of available literature, I have compiled this list of some prospective locations in Utah which I would recommend to people looking to do some rockhounding. Below you will find detailed information on some of the most popular rocks and fossils collected in Utah along with destinations ideas to get out for yourself and explore. I have no idea. The Free Dictionary. Contact them by phone at 1-503-808-6001, ext. Sensitive wildlife species that could inhabit the WSA include: the ferruginous hawk, long-billed curlew, burrowing owl, and kit fox. Rockhounding Arizona! Lastly, years of descending groundwater carry essential and specific minerals that combine with the beryllium-rich gases to form the the brilliant pink crystals. Some awesome minerals that you can find in Utah include gold, quartz, garnets, galena, gypsum, zircon, tourmaline, wollastonite, stilbite, epidote, magnetite, barite, and many others. Bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and golden eagles are a raptor species which inhabit the WSA. Some other concentrated areas in western Utah include Sanpete County, Millard County, and Sevier County. Actinolite, Albite, Amethyst, Azurite, Apatite, Barite, Chalcedony, Cinnabar, Galena, Hematite, Limonite, Malachite, Pyrite, etc. Follow this road to Hintze Drive and make a right turn through the metal gate. The eastern side of San Rafael Swell, or the surrounding area of Thompson Springs, is also abundant in petrified wood. The area with the most rockhounding locations to check out is south of I-70, offering specimens of many minerals including carnotite, chalcedony, agate, selenite, barite, and pyrolusite. You must also find out if the area you have selected has any current mineral leases or existing prospects so that you don't inadverently jump someone else's claim. To find opals in Utah, you need to head towards Marysvale. For many of the locations listed here, there are actually many sites in the immediate area worth investigating. It is also your responsibility to verify and gain permission to visit each collection site that is mentioned on this website. The contours and elevations on this scale map are shown in meters. Click here for larger-size photo. There are so many rockhounding locations in Utah that it can be overwhelming. Alunite, Jarosite, Limonite, Pyrite, Selenite, Azurite, Chalcopyrite, Galena, Malachite, Sphalerite. The old mines in the area will contain the largest variety of minerals (and likely more exotic finds) but there are many more accessible locations where you can find nice specimens of minerals like garnet, magnetite, onyx, agate, chalcedony, and petrified wood. Garnets are also quite common in Utah. Wah Wah Mountains WSA is located in southwestern Millard County and northwestern Beaver County, about 30 miles west of Milford, UT. For an detailed map, refer to the overseeing BLM field office. What Is Rockhounding: An Intro To My Favorite Hobby (Rock Hunting). RMEF also sponsored research, installed guzzlers, and provided outreach to advance Utah's rich hunting heritage. Anglesite, Azurite, Cerussite, Galena, Malachite, Autunite, Orpiment, Realgar, Pyrite, Hematite, Marcasite, etc. The most popular rockhounding sites in Utah are the Dugway Geode Beds and Topaz Mountain. Fossils of Washington, Division of Geology Information Circular 35 The beautifully striated wonderstone is a welded-vitric tuff (vitric means glassy) of rhyolitic composition. From crystals to fossils, this list can only scratch the surface of what Utah has to offer. In Southern Utah, head towards Iron County to find chalcedony geodes in the area washes and draws of Newcastle. The official state gemstone of Utah is topaz since 1969. 1. The crystals of this gemstone are usually small and generally not able to be faceted. Some also show hints of sagenite. Rock collecting is permitted on the majority of public lands, but, always research in advance, be aware of boundaries, and ask permission where needed, as, in some areas, you will need a permit first. Agate, Amethyst, Apatite, Fluorite, Chalcedony, Garnet, Topaz, Cerussite, Chalcopyrite, Chlorite, Galena, Hematite, Limonite, Pyrite, Sphalerite, etc. Plant fossils and cephalopods are also common. Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home), Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids), Dugway Geode Beds, Simpson Springs, Glenwood, Gold Hill, Clifton mining district, Agate town, Colorado River, Salt Lake County, Bingham Canyon Mine, Oquirrh Mountain, Topaz Dome Quarry, Dugway mining district, Thomas Range, Dugway Range, Dugway Mining District, San Rafael Swell, Vipont Mine, Pilot Range, Little Bear River, Promontory Mountains, Bear River Range, Ogden, Crater Island, Raft River Mountains, Little Cottonwood, Topaz Dome Quarry, Dutch Mountain, Miners Basin, San Rafael River, Rock Candy Mountain, Cactus mine, Vipont Mine, Raft River Mountains, Promontory Mountains, Moses Rock & Comb Ridge, Strongs Canyon, Bingham Canyon. Southeast of Salt Lake City, witin the diverse mineral laden lands of central Utah, the Dugway Geode Beds are a popular stop for rockhounds from all over the world. Lots of information exists online for the Dugway Geode Beds and specific excavation site locations. Agate, Jasper, Pyrolusite, Rhodochrosite, Chalcedony, Chalcopyrite, Cuprite, Galena, Gold, Hematite, Malachite, Pyrite, Limonite, Goethite, etc. Quick Facts Located in Utah. Though the rare red beryl crystal is large and pure enough to be cut can sometimes sell for thousands of dollars per carat. I enjoy collecting and tumbling rocks with my daughter and traveling the world with my wife seeing geologic wonders. Northeastern Utah is a great spot for rockhounding. 1). 1. In general, the best places to rockhound in Utah are the gravels of streams, washes, and draws, as well as old mining dumps and rocky outcrops. If you are interested in collecting a larger amount than is considered personal or you want to engage in commercial prospecting or mining, you would need to acquire permits. Onyx] UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah. (: Wah Wah Mountains) 216,500 (1,980 m) 6,000 (1,800 m)9,393 (2,863 m) [2] The state also has abundant petrified wood, which is the Washington State Gem, and has had over 40 Columbian Mammoth discoveries, which is the Washington State Fossil. Sensitive wildlife species that could inhabit the WSA include: the ferruginous hawk, long-billed curlew, burrowing owl, and kit fox. In Tooele County, you can find topaz. ). The Salt Lake area, like much of the rest of Utah, contains an almost endless supply of rockhounding locations consisting of old mining dumps, stream gravels, draws, and washes. Lugged the bag to the car and pushed farther back. Be sure to complete the trip with a stop at nearby Topaz Mountain, number 3 on our list. Specimens may become depleted from other collectors, the location may have been built on or altered, locality information in literature may be inaccurate, and property ownership may have changed hands. Although these rocks are technically a limestone, the stone industry has termed this particular deposit as marble. The now individual rocks contain fossilized remains of algae ball structures and are commonly referred to as birds eyes. These unique round features were formed by algae that surrounded things such as snail shells or other debris. Azurite, Barite, Cerussite, Galena, Jamesonite, Malachite, Pyrite. Diopside, Fluorite, Galena, Garnet, Pyrite, Scheelite, Sphalerite, Apatite, Biotite, Chlorite, Goethite, Copper minerals, Magnetite, Quartz, Zircon, etc. All 50 States Answered, amazing app that highlights roads that provide access to public lands, Utah Geological Survey: Rock & Mineral Collecting Sites. The mountains, washes, and draws in the area are known to contain many interesting mineral species including beryl, calcite, hematite, garnet, limonite, and azurite. If youre planning on heading to the field, make sure you have all the gear youll need! The area washes and draws of Fairfield, Utah County, or the area limestone outcrops of Hurricane, in Washington County, are especially filled with fossils. Beryl var. Lake Bonneville might also seem like a good idea to try and find arrowheads in the sand. Most of the economic mines in the state were after copper-family minerals. The top 10 rockhounding sites in Utah: Utah is home to a variety of gems and minerals that rivals any other state in the U.S. Analcite, Anhydrite, Crocidolite, Fluorapatite, Illite, Pyrite, Bassanite, Dawnsite, Riebeckite, Shortite, etc. Azurite, Chalcocite, Gypsum, Malachite, Pyrite, Agate, Agatized dinosaur bone, Petrified wood, Agate, Anhydrite, Carnotite, Chalcedony, Jasper, Gypsum, Uraninite, Agatized wood, Amethyst, Carnotite, Petrified wood, Agate, Chalcedony, Chert, Petrified dinosaur bones, Jasper. Garnet (pyrope, Arizona Rubies), Chlorite, Corundum, Rutile, Spinel. In Connecticut, I would recommend starting with the County Assessors office. Photo by David Fox. The Dutch Mountain is also filled with them. amzn_assoc_title = "Some of my favorite rockhounding gear from Amazon:"; Agate, Agatized clams, Anhydrite, Carnotite, Gypsum, Jasper, Jasperized dinosaur bones, Petrified wood. 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