These veins of turquoise often break the surface and can be found by rockhounds in the low desert to mid elevation ranges in several areas across the state. Great half-day adventure for rock collectors located off AZ Hwy 70, east of Safford, AZ in scenic, undeveloped area. The area is located about 20 miles northeast of Safford. If course Lol !! Whether set in charming jewelry or simply displayed ornamentally, fire agate is one of those gems that go beautifully in any setting.. For coverage of the 2022 wildfire season in Arizona, see the latest updates at azentral.com. Rockhounding Reports, Locations, Trips and Shows, forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/57708/surface-collecting-west-phoenix. 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. Check out our arizona fire agate selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our rocks & geodes shops. They are a rounded obsidian volcanic black glass core surrounded by a rough black outer surface. Safford Field Office Great primitive camping - Lots of chalcedony. It is also permissible to dig for the Free shipping. Unfortunately, getting there is a challenge because this mine is a private commercial mine in a remote area. Fire Agate. . AZ 511 Travel and Road Status Information. 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. rock collectors and gem-seekers is the Black Hills Rockhound Area, The Mine is open 12 months of the year. pack accordingly. In this video, I'll take you to a spot slightly south of Saddle Mountain, just off of a main dirt road replete with millions of pieces of Fire Agate, and provide the location and coordinates to get you there. numerous wildflowers sprout from the hillsides during the 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! $30.00 a day walk the claims and pick up what you find on the ground. Nice Rare Specimen of high grade Arizona fire agate, with sweet colors showing. In the United States, agates are mostly found in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Coastal locations or lakes are good places to find agates. Agate is a semi-precious gemstone formed by relatively recent around the area. The Agate Lexicon and glossary of amorphous and cryptocrystalline silica gems have been designed to be used in conjunction with the Agate Bibliography, which was compiled to be used by researchers, hobbyists, historians, lapidaries and other individuals which have an interest in these stones.Numerous localities are listed here but this does not imply that the sites are . Naturally, the big question of course is: Where does one dig? These gemstones can be found in only a few locations worldwide, which makes them special to every gem collector. Keep reading below to learn more about what to bring, clothing types, and driving directions. The It has a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. To reach the Black Hills Rockhound Area, take U.S. Highway 70 This particular spot is considered to be among the richest areas in the world for this gem. In Arizona, geodes can be found in many places across the state and contain a large diversity of crystals. Small pieces of the wood are best found on the mesas surrounding the river valley which then runs into the town of Woodruff. Graham297 is located in T9S R20E Sec 12 N2 in the Kennedy Peak - 7.5 Min quad. Fire Restrictions Information. A type of Agate infused with iron and other elements in . The material is dispersed over a large area, so finding good pieces can take some time. I've found some cool pieces over there and have been several times. Fire agate has been reportedly found in 15 locations on Arizona, as well as several locations in New Mexico and two . Support local journalism. miles to the New Mexico state line. The wood can be found scattered amongst other rocks along the surface and a large variety of colors are present. If you don't have the tools to dig, Don's willing to let you use some of his tools for a minimal cost. Some say that the color of the stone resembles the intense heat of the area. Gradually, this process will produce a thick, wedge shaped deposit of successive layers of transported sedimentary material surrounding the bedrock core of the ridge. 50 Casita Flats Rd PO Box 325 The gold can be found around a wide region and in many locations. The five-mile road loops around the hill and is Fire agate is a vitreous and waxy Silicon dioxide crystal with traces of iron. Open the stone with a hammer and chisel if your sample is not already broken open. gravel in some places. 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. ROCKHOUNDING Nevertheless, the red and brown shades of Fire help stimulate the root or brow chakra. this type of camping. Create a password that only you will remember. Graham looming 52 miles to the west. 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. The Deer Creek Fire Agate Mine is a surface mining operation. The rough outside of agate will block all light, so you'll have to get it open in order to test the transparency. From Phoenix take I-10 west towards Tonopah. These are rounded black pebbles that are less than a few inches across. Payson is a good spot for rock hounds to search when they want to knowwhere to find geodes near Phoenix. Agates can be found all around the world, in any location with past or present volcanic activity. Let's look at each source and the agate it produces. 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. The agate formation, size, color and fire layer thickness all vary within these different geographic locations. fire agates, an uncommon semi-precious gem found only in Mexico, The miners walk nine miles in total to and from work and reside there for a few weeks at a time. Directions to the Saddle Mountain Fire Agate location. Information about this location can be found at the BLM's Black Hills information page.Further instruction can be found at the Travel Channel's Treasure Wiki Arizona Page.Fire agate and chalcedony can be found here. One of my favorite spots to find fire agate chips and pieces of fire agate. Invalid password or account does not exist. I did some fire agate collecting out in the Saddle mountain area about year ago. Aguacalientes Fire Agate Rough in Jar with a lot of Potential . With a new mine in progress as we speak, the Resolution Copper Mine. This can be very informative to collectors of all experience levels. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. Show up here and there is a large variety of rocks you could pick up on one single hike. Thank you for your support and for sharing Rockhounding Maps in your communities. "According to Warren Jones, fire agate was discovered in Arizona in 1939," say Si and Ann Frazier, Lapidary Journal Foreign Correspondents. As the legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine has it, somewhere deep in the rugged Superstition Mountains of the hostile Sonoran Desert lies a literal Gold Mine. An Arizona State Land permit is required to be on much of the land in this area, though is open to collection. Dont forget about the weather and make sure to dress appropriately. You will have a whale of a time, especially since the variety of gems in this area is vast. Dont worry the process is fairly simple and youre guaranteed to find some amazing nodules. Within a short drive of Safford lie two areas where gemstones The 1,699 sq. . An astounding type of chalcedony, fire agate is a semi-precious gemstone found only in northern Mexico and the southwest United States. 2. New Mexico Bed & Breakfast Association Association of Lodging Professionals This location has been written about in rock & mineral magazine and there are multiple YouTube videos showing ordinary rockhounds collecting beautiful Fire Agate nodules. We were fortunate to have one of our previously inventoried Arizona Fire Agates appear in a book on gemstones (in fact, that book contains about 35 gemstones from the All That Glitters inventory, most representing . During the Tertiary Period, these particular regions experienced massive volcanic activity that created these gemstone deposits. nH20) imbedded within, and commonly completely enclosed by, semi-transparent to translucent layers of cryptocrystalline chalcedony. Have any questions? This can happen from an air bubble in a volcanic rock, or a mineralized animal burrow or tree root. There are areas where you can metal detect, pan for gold, and sluice for gold. PLUS!!! From Black Canyon City south to Prescott. The second reason is that because of the heavy rainfall the area receives during the annual Summer Monsoon thunderstorm rains, which can exceed 2 to 3 inches in a half hour, fire agate and chalcedony buried beneath of surface of the ground is constantly being uncovered and exposed by high energy flash flood runoff every year. Please look at all our cabs and pieces and let us know if you have any questions!! Additional information about these two rockhound areas can be The public is not permitted to visit this mine unless prior arrangements have been made. time: 3-5 hours Traffic: Light Permit Needed: No Current Info: BLM/Phoenix F.O. This means that you need to first find where it formed, and then work the matrix out whilst collecting the agate. Crystal structure: Hexagonal. area is open and accessible year-round, but summer temperatures can What we know about Arizona wildfires:Latest evacuation news. Saddle Mountain Fire Agate is a unique and fascinating geological formation that has captivated the attention of geologists, mineral collectors, and gem enthusiasts alike. var today = new Date() The location is ideal for a mine tour, but the number of specimens available is restricted. Hi fellow rockhounds! 2 were here. Be careful not to get pierced when you try to grab some lovely specimen that has your eyes glittering! (623-580-5500) Nearest City: Tonopah Elevation: 1214'-1452 Best Time: Fall-Spring Arizona Fire Agate and Chalcedony Free Form. Some of the quartz crystals found at the Diamond Point outside of Payson, Arizona are so clear that they have been compared to herkimer diamonds. And stay tuned to the very end for some up-close photos of my finds. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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! Fire agate The large cactus is the Barrel Cactus, a common plant of the High Sonoran Desert. The gemstone was formed by fairly recent volcanic activity. Azurite, Fluorite, Pyrite, Copper minerals, and calcite are only a few of the minerals that can be found if you know where to look. Sources. 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. Master Faceter, Avid Rock Hound, World Traveler, Fanny pack is the ultimate way to collect these Agates. HORSERIDING Terrain. This is a well labeled site off of highway 260 approximately 12-13 miles east from the town of Payson, AZ. Best fire agate location in CA is in Christopher's back yard!!!! The fire agate and chalcedony of the Southern New Mexico-Arizona border area is formed when low pressure and low temperature epithermal hydrothermal waters (50-200C / 122-392F) carrying colloidal SiO 2 and iron oxides are injected into cavities in volcanic rocks such as gas bubbles in flow rocks, irregular-shaped vug fillings, or . The fire wasburning3 miles west of the Verde River and3 miles northeast of Red Creek Ranch. Deer Creek Fire Agate. I highly recommend visiting Arizona to utilize our public lands and engage in some serious rockhounding. RATES & POLICIES 80 item (s) - Page 1 of 5. These are pieces of white chalcedony that also become concentrated on the lower slopes through the breakdown of the andesite bedrock. There is a good gift shop where you can buy high-quality specimens. It commonly displays a waxy luster and botryoidal texture. Mineral diversity is much greater here than in other parts of the state. Overview Semiprecious Gemstone. Amid the third and fourth peaks is where the mine is situated. Since the clay and finest rock particles are selectively carried furthest away by the periodic flash flood runoff from the source bedrock upslope, a concentration or lag deposit of the larger rock fragments and, of most interest to rockhounds, the physically and chemically inert pieces of chalcedony and fire agate, accumulates over the ground surface following each successive flash flood coming off the surrounding the uplands. 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. The site can be accessed via highway 260 east out of the town of Payson, AZ. To arrive there, take HWY 19 south from Tucson and exit at Pima Mine Road, exit 80. Fire agate is a brown agate has a botryoidal (grape-like) form. Physiography 1 Records. $39.99. white-colored agate. Note also the numerous small white rocks in the foreground. plentiful on the surface and must be dug up with picks and shovels. Watch. Both of these areas are well known and receive many visitors each year. It should be noted that this region now seems to have lately been heavily expanded; therefore, a number of these sites might no longer be suitable or available. However, the agate in the area is beautiful. Saddle Mountain, Arizona, Fire Agate Mineral Location Page: This popular outdoor recreation and fire agate rockhounding area is located outside of Phoenix, Arizona. THINGS TO DO The area has been scoured numerous times over the years, so be on the lookout for that hidden treasure, which is best discovered after a recent storm. This is one of the best Arizona rockhounding sites for diversity and has a plethora of high quality Arizona rocks, gem, and minerals. document.write(year) Fire agate. As you can see, Arizona is the real deal when it comes to rocks, gems, and minerals. These rock types consist of 1) dark gray to reddish gray andesite lava flow rock that is deposited in a sequence of essentially horizontal layers, many of which contain abundant gas bubbles, and 2) gray to light tan, silica rich, rhyolite pyroclastic ash flow or ash fall welded tuff that overlies or is interbedded with the andesite flow rock. You have permission to edit this article. Travel along the Oatman road for approximately twenty miles from I-40. A large piece of fire agate encased in translucent chalcedony, No two pieces of fire agate in the rough are the same, Only through grinding and polishing of this fire agate in the rough can the underlying beauty be revealed, Fire agate is often encased in thick layers of semi-transparent to opaque chalcedony, Pure chalcedony can take on a variety of shapes and forms, such as this strange frog-like little creature perched on this fragment of weathered andesite, CASITAS DE GILA From this overlook at an elevation of 6,250 feet the road descends 2,650 feet over the next 14 miles to the small community of Three Way, Arizona, on the Gila River. 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. Arizona Gov. A top-notch area in Arizona to gather rocks and minerals is near Congress Junction. Please give us a call at 928-428-2560, Copyright A great photo opportunity location is adjacent to the shop. return back across the state line into Arizona and the land is 1. Andesite is composed of a high concentration of feldspar and other minerals which over time will break down physically and chemically decompose to form an unconsolidated mineral soil of clay minerals and fine rock particles, thereby releasing the contained fire agate and chalcedony which retains its original size and shape because SiO2 minerals are very stable and inert to weathering and chemical decomposition at the Earths surface. restroom facilities. 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. Wildfire Resources - Frequently Asked Questions. Both sites are located on public lands so camping is allowed at or nearby. It was formed by water peculating into the rock from from hot geysers carrying minerals in solution which then formed the layers of chalcedony in cracks and voids in the matrix rock. Raw fire agates collected from the Black Hills Rockhound Area. Several fires were ravagingtheir way across Arizona because ofan unusually dry season. For more information or to schedule a guided tour please contact Doug (928) 215-9912 or visit www.rockabuyrocksandgifts.com. odometer at this point. ABOUT US, ART GALLERY 575-535-4455 [email protected] Southwestern Guesthouses on 265 Acres near Silver City, New Mexico overlooking Bear Creek and the Gila Wilderness This collection consists of various reports, maps, records and related materials . In addition to fire agate, geodes and quartz can also be found scattered amongst the desert at this site. Rockhounding is ideal for the whole family but remember to carry adequate water, food, and a map. Or Compound? You'll be digging for and collecting Fire Agate in Duncan, Arizona at the Lazy B Ranch. The road is Translucency, patterns of color, or moss-like inclusions may distinguish this stone from other forms of chalcedony. Where To Find Gold in Arizona (5 Must Try Places), Where To Find Dinosaur Fossils and Footprints in Arizona, 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! Tours of a copper mine in general. even closer to Safford than Round Mountain. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Please pick up any trash and leave the location better than when you found it. Because of it's elusiveness, it's highly sought-after by jewelers, collectors and rockhounders. You can read more about tumbling petrified wood here! Location Type: Public Access Details: This is land governed by BLM (Bureau of Land Management - government). And as an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission on qualifying purchases after clicking on those links, at no additional cost to you. Click the image for driving directions and a KML file. Looking to do it all in one location? The mine follows an angular vein of quartz on the side of the rough mountaintops. The stones are plentifully found on the surface of the ground at As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. If you ask around in your neighborhood, you may be able to learn about some potential search sites. Numerous ancient mines and mining camps have private owners, so ask permission before searching and collecting their land. Dragon Fire: 1,375 acres west of Grand Canyon North Rim. Some of the early pioneers in fire agate mining at Deer . For over 50 years, people from all over have been coming to Saddle Mountain in search of Fire Agate. If you've never done any rock collecting . The Ultimate Guide To Rockhounding Tools. Today. Massive cliffs and large broken blocks of andesite flow rock and rhyolite welded tuff bedrock comprise the tops of a low ridge lying about a half mile to the north of the designated parking area in the center of the Black Hills Fire Agate area. Contained entirely within a single desert mesa on the San Carlos Indian Reservation, near the town of what else but, Peridot, is the primary world supply of the gemstone. Welcome Guest. Round Mountain Rockhound Area is a prime collecting spot for The Saddle Mountain fire agate, with gem quality being rare and hard to find, are a nice addition to any mineral collection. Follow the Twin Buttes Region (Old Mines) Copper, Azurite, Chalcocite, Marcasite, Malachite, Chrysocolla, Calcite, fluorescent minerals, Pyrite, and more. Arizona also continues to be a primary supplier of Amethyst, Peridot, and Turquoise to the world gemstone market. If you want to go rockhounding, the Tucson area is a fantastic place to go. Journal (issue) Rockhounds enjoy the products of this amazing Arizona mine. Even if youre not guaranteed a high-end gem, youll be able to gather a lot of beautiful pieces of all varieties. New Mexico state line, the Round Mountain Rockhound Area beckons We have Mexican Fire Agate and Arizona Fire agate. The flat desert floor has some exceptional specimens of fire agate and nice petrified wood specimens. From the Casitas, the route goes northwest on US 180 through a High Chihuahuan Desert landscape affording magnificent views of the Mogollon Mountains before turning west on NM 78 through the incredibly beautiful Mule Creek Country. You are on your own, so plan and Wick Communications. Arizona, being home to a diverse variety of crystals, also contains a wide distribution of geodes. 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. Enter the ranch and follow the rockhound site signs. The Twin Buttes area, just southwest of Tucson, is a particularly promising locale for rockhounds, primarily if you want to try your hand at nighttime fluorescent mineral hunting. Rockhounders visiting this site can stumble upon opalite, agates, pastelite, patterned jasper, apache tears, and other specimens of interest. The Grand Canyon state is also a primary producer for yet another of precious Arizona gemstones commonly known by the many. Speaking ofwhere to find rocks near Phoenix, old mines and prospects clutter the area around this city in western Arizona. 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. Upon reaching the base of the steep escarpment, Highway 78 continues a downward but more gradual descent of another 1,400 feet in elevation over the next 10 miles to arrive at Three Way, Arizona, at elevation of 3,600 feet. for rockhounding and non-commercial removal of specimens, with no 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.