Garnet, Quartz, Calcite, Mica, Feldspar, Jasper, Tourmaline, and agate are among the rocks and minerals found. This includes gloves, a pickaxe, a bucket, and a tarp to put your rocks on. Please keep safety and private land in mind. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The terrain is mostly rocky sediment with some dirt tracks, meaning that the trail can be slippery when wet. There is a short hiking trail that leads to the top of the mountain, where you can get a panoramic view of the area. 47 Saddle Mountain Fire Agate 161. This area is also popular for rock-hounders who will find both fire agate and chalcedony on the north side of the range. (source). It is recommended to bring at least 1 gallon per person per day. USA . You can start or contribute to your rock array by visiting any of these fantastic rock hunting locations. Neptune Mine close to Grays Spring Fluorite, Coronado Trail ( Old Mines) Turquoise and Chrysocolla, Three-Way drive-in theater Chalcedony and Fire Agate, Mule Creek Road (everywhere) Geodes and Chalcedony, York Region Banded and Fire Agate, Jasper and Carnelian, Sunset Peak(Foot of the hills) Blue and Black Jasper and Agate, Canyon to N of road one mi. If you want to go rockhounding, the Tucson area is a fantastic place to go. The Sami Fine Jewelry Four Peaks Amethyst Mine Tour comprises transportation, lunch, a 30-minute tour of the amethyst mine with the workers and operators, and an Amethyst keepsake. Obsidian is a volcanic glass made mostly of Silicates, but it contains a diverse range of elements, making it a rock rather than a mineral. 398 KB. The terrain is mostly rocky sediment with some dirt tracks, meaning that the trail can be slippery when wet. Phone service is often unreliable in these areas. 50 Aguila Road Apache Tears 172. This is especially important if you are going to be picking around rocks, as you may end up with cuts on your hands or arms. This trail is extremely scenic and can be the basis for a great day or weekend trip. Disclosure: These are links to Amazon. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Luckily, there are many excellent areas in Arizona where you can do your rock collecting and acquire very lovely samples. Saddle Mountain Arizona Fire Agate Rough 14 grams Flames and white swirls . Fortunately for gem hunters, the owner operators allow a small number of tourists to tour the facility and search for gems. . The most common type of rock is fire agate, a semi-precious gemstone found in a variety of colors. A top-notch area in Arizona to gather rocks and minerals is near Congress Junction. After 3 miles, turn right onto Salome Highway. Unfortunately, getting there is a challenge because this mine is a private commercial mine in a remote area. Sign me up, I am not a rock hound so not sure what to do there. While GPS technology allows us to pinpoint any location on the planet, mark the location, and share it with others, Waymarking is the toolset for categorizing and adding unique . Fluorite, Malachite, and Other Gemstones in Tucson, Arizona. Mineral specimens such as bismuth, beryl, and microcline have been found in a number of pegmatite veins. Due to the severe wash outs at some wash crossings, this trail is more suited to vehicles with good departure angles. Allan is familiar with all aspects of the Mine, When in the area he assists diggers, to find and dig their own Fire Agate. The slopes north of Aguila are a famous harvesting spot. Its even better if youre an amateur rock collector because youre always guaranteed to collect a few gems, even along some roadways. I am always amazed by nature and the earth, but these agates are over the top!Nugget Shooter Hats,https://nuggetshooter.com#!/HATS-and-T-SHIRTS/c/26703059/offset=0\u0026sort=normalMy Storehttps://nuggetshooter.comMailing Address:Bill SouthernPO BOX 576Morristown, AZ85342If you would like to help support our adventures and make an outing or two, check out my Patreon channel.My PATREON https://www.patreon.com/nuggetshooterjournalsIndestructible Shoes, Save your feet while Detecting, Exploring, Hiking! 87) for about 21 miles. Agate is, in fact, identical with quartz. Agate is the most common variety of chalcedony which is a form of quartz. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. 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. $99.00. But regardless . The Four Peaks Amethyst mine continues to operate in a primitive manner due to its challenging location. 70. The first portion of the trail is short and rocky with the more difficult and washed out loop around Saddle Mountain providing more of a challenge. It is a type of natural glass with conchoidal contours (convex on the outside, concave on the inside), with nodules ranging in size from peas to a tennis ball. 4 Beds. 8%. The gem-type Saddle Mountain fire gates are a pleasant expansion to any mineral collection, as they are rare and hard to come by. Detailed description: How to get there is as follows: From Phoenix, Arizona, take Highway 17 north. After 0.9 miles, turn right at the intersection. Cuesta Fire Agate mine is a Desert Dig. Discover the best routes for going from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam. Tours of a copper mine in general. Technical Rating. A commercial amethyst mine is located in the famous Four Peaks of the most rugged portion of the Mazatzal Mountains, about forty minutes north of Phoenix, Arizona. 14mm Magenta Stripes Agate Round Beads 14.5" Strand. If youre passionate about geodes, this is the place of choice where youre sure to find tiny and large geode stones when youre rock collecting. One item some rockhounds forget to pack is a first-aid kit. Take Highway 97 north just past Liberty. Apache Tears are only formed near Superior, Arizona, and when refined and held to the light, these are semi-transparent and have a smoky brown shade. The drive is difficult due to many washouts, careful wheel placement needed at times, remoteness, and rockiness. The fire agate that you can find in Saddle Mountains features rare quality and will fit perfectly into your . In Tucson, there is excellent prospecting. Nearby homes similar to 4618 W Park View Cir have recently sold between $435K to $875K at an average of $240 per square foot. Mark K Cave Dweller. Get the best deals on Fire Agate Rough when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com . (Or a Mixture? Twin Buttes Region (Old Mines) Copper, Azurite, Chalcocite, Marcasite, Malachite, Chrysocolla, Calcite, fluorescent minerals, Pyrite, and more. One of those mines, the Penney Mine is sometimes open to the public. Disclosure: These are links to Amazon. You may get lucky and find both gold and agate as well. The ability to dig for a fee is available at this mine. Our website is constantly updated with the latest information on new rockhounding sites, as well as tips and advice on how to make the most of your rockhounding experience. The designated area for collecting Agate is located on Bureau of Land Management land about 60 miles from Phoenix, Arizona. The wide-open pits are littered with piles of malachite, azurite, among other copper ores. 3 stars. 1 star. Bring a bucket or bag for your rockhounding treasures. Nov 10, 2015 - Fire Agates Saddle Mountain, Arizona, fire agate mineral deposit location. 64. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Mapcarta, the open map. It's a loop drive around Saddle Mountain, pretty difficult and lightly traveled. The BLM allows up to 25 pounds of specimens to be collected per day, 250 pounds per year. Even if youre not guaranteed a high-end gem, youll be able to gather a lot of beautiful pieces of all varieties. Saddle Mountain - Fire Agate. Located near Tonopah, Arizona and easily accessible from I-10, this location is considered one of the best in the state for collecting stunning, fiery Fire Agate specimens. Trailhead is a short 4 mile drive from the gas station. This city is known for its vast array of rocks and minerals, making it a hot spot for collectors. However, the finest specimens are discovered by those willing to search. Clifton, Arizona, is a little town northeast of Tucson in proximity to the New Mexico border with promising rockhounding prospects. The Mine is open 12 months of the year. Its common to see chalcedony anywhere from the main road through the recreation area. There are several mines here, but probably the most notable fire agate source in this region is the Cuesta Fire Agate Mine. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Building a fabulous online presence starts with a top-quality domain name from DomainMarket.com. Turtle Mountain road off of Highway 95 provides access to this area. Overall,rockhounding near Phoenix, Arizona, is a big deal because the availability of locations and actual gems is mind-blowing. The average industry sales price is approximately $30,000. Allow for at least half a day to do this trail. The tour is only provided twice a year, in the spring and fall, due to the remoteness and limited conveniences. Some of the early pioneers in fire agate mining at Deer . The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has two designated collection sites that are open to the public year-round. 63. Saddle Mountain is also home to a number of private mining assertions, so it is important to be mindful of where you are collecting rocks. For over 50 years, people from all over have been coming to Saddle Mountain in search of Fire Agate. Still, we have compiled a list of historically recognized locations below that have provided specimens of agate, nodules, turquoise, chalcedony, fire agate, geodes, and jasper, among other minerals for enthusiasts goingrockhounding near Phoenix. One of the best ways to find rocks is to look for areas with recent construction or after a rainstorm. We want your experiences too! Don, the proprietor, explains how Fire Agate is shaped and provides tips on how to search for, find, and excavate fire agate from the host rock. I had a somewhat difficult time finding and fire that I felt was worth keeping. Many collectors have found enough pieces to satisfy them on the lower slopes. (Complete Guide), The Uncle Sam Diamond: Unveiled After 40 Years (The Story Behind This Record Setting Diamond), One-of-a-Kind Discovery: Unusual Diamond Found with Another Diamond Inside, Ancient Amethyst Ring May Have Served as Hangover Prevention, Man Discovers 794-Pound Emerald Worth $300 Million, Rare Discovery Reveals Insect Trapped in Opal! This area is also popular for rock-hounders who will find both fire agate and chalcedony on the north side of the range. 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. Travel along the Oatman road for approximately twenty miles from I-40. Or Compound? Other locations include Saddle Mountain near Phoenix and the Day Ranch between Bowie and Duncan. Wish we could go but I have this weekend booked Great trip idea!! Share YOUR roads!We'vemorethan 13.000 roads but we want more! The website is for information purposes only and we assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the information provided here. If you are a rockhounding fanatic, then Arizona should be your first pick when it comes to finding amazing rocks. When rockhounding in the wilderness, you should try to be fully equipped: pick and shovel to dig the hole, a hammer to break the rocks, and some buckets, as well as the usual desert necessities, such as plenty of water, food, a first-aid kit, mobile phone maps, and anything else you feel necessary that doesnt add too much weight. Saddle Mountain is a famous rockhounding destination just next to Queen Creek, particularly for those looking for fire agate, a semi-precious jewel found only within Arizona and some other southwestern regions. Some of the links on our website are affiliate links. Mineral diversity is much greater here than in other parts of the state. Azurite, Fluorite, Pyrite, Copper minerals, and calcite are only a few of the minerals that can be found if you know where to look. The mine is reached by helicopter for visitors. The entire area is not privately owned, but I was unable to find a specific map. Camping is primitive but great sunsets. Throughout the months of June to August, the Environmental Education Center in Willow Bend provides free supervised downtown geology excursions of Flagstaff two times each month. Rocky McCall, Marysville Club suggested we "keep the Maughans in the loop," so Nathan Maughan was contacted. Disclosure: These are links to Amazon. Home. Volcanoes, Fire Agate, & Petroglyphs, OH MY! If not, park where convenient and walk the road. Amethyst crystals border certain geodes, while white or black calcite crystals cover plenty. 54 Cuesta Fire Agate 188. Follow Washington State hunting and fishing regulations. North America. Saddle Mountain lies 45 miles west of Phoenix and just southwest of Tonopah, Arizona. Hey there! Lelande Quick La Jolla . Safford, AZ - Fire Agate. Rockhounding is a fun and rewarding hobby that people of all ages can enjoy. Region IV: 69. Each individual is allowed to gather as much as 25 pounds of material each day and 250 pounds per year for non-commercial intentions. The area is open year-round. Saddle Mountains Fire Agate 154. Since it takes effort to find good quartz, there are still some available. This is a perfect place to hunt for quality specimens because there are so many color variations. 553 of 564. when you come out to the Mine, you go to the claims and you can dig to your hearts content. Our marketplace also has thousands of "close out" domains, at even lower prices! Agate is a common semiprecious silica mineral that has long been used as a gem and ornamental. The information provided in this article by YesDirt.com is for informational purposes and is subject to change. Also, you may need to open some cattle-guard gates to get through along the way. 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. Stay on Courthouse Road for 1.8 miles until you come to a dirt road on the left. From Phoenix take I-10 west towards Tonopah. 49 Big Horn Mountains Fluorite and Selenite 168. A four-wheel drive vehicle that can handle rough roads is recommended. At 3.6 miles youll reach the most serious washout. If you like to have a physical book in hand (like when theres no cell service), heres a few popular options: Rockhounding Arizona: A Guide To 75 Of The States Best Rockhounding Sites, Southwest Treasure Hunters Gem and Mineral Guide. This is the second BLM designated collection site. Free shipping. Merikanite Obsidian is a semi-precious rock. There are also a number of privately-owned mines that allow limited public participation for a fee. Obsidian is produced at the end of basaltic eruptions when the expelled mainly Silicates are rapidly cooled at surface temperatures. 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If I can nail down a location, anyone who wishes to check them out is more than welcome! SOLD FEB 13, 2023. OHVs and aggressive vehicles can proceed through this bypass and complete the rest of the trail. There are roughly two dozen spots in the area that are prone to washouts. The weather in Saddle Mountain can change quickly, so it is important to wear clothing that will keep you warm or cool, depending on the weather.
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