California
Rocks gems and minerals
There are so many great rocks gems and minerals and many
areas to collect rocks, gems, and minerals in California that we could probably
write a book on it. Instead of writing a book we will cover some of the main
rocks, gems and minerals with some details to get you started, and we will have
links to references and guidebooks as well as all our links below. If you want
to collect in the winter there is the beaches and deserts, you want to collect
in the dead of summer, California has the mountains and the beaches, you can’t
lose. The history of rocks gems and minerals goes back to the Native Americans,
that dug up and used many of California’s beautiful, gemstones. Then in 1849
the gold miners came looking for gold and many other finds of gems and minerals
continued for over a hundred years, with a few small discovery’s the last few
years interesting rocks and some agates. Please remember to check status of
areas and rules before collection on public lands, as rules and status for
collection often changes. Also, some of the sites and minerals listed are not
for collecting, but for viewing.
Agate
So many areas in California have agate, with the best know
spots in the desert areas, but do not despair, agates are found in on a few
beaches and in several mountain areas. The best bet is to get a good
rockhounding guide. California rockhounding guide links near the end of the
article.
Benitoite
Benitoite is the California state gemstone, sometimes called
the blue diamond as it is very rare. Found only in San Benito county. The color
is a dark blue to light blue and sometimes light purple or violet. Its crystals
form in defined triangles. It consists
of barium-titanium silicate. Here is a link where you can pay a fee to collect
benitoite. http://calstategemmine.com/index.html
Borax
Borax is a mineral that was in Boron California. It has been
used as a flux for brazing and has been used in refining and working with
silver and gold and is also used in making ceramics. The Boron twenty mule team
was made famous as these mule teams moved wagon full or borax from the Death
Valley desert to delivery since 1881. Boron is the largest producer and deposit
of borax in the world. You can visit the Boron twenty mule team museum, here is
the link. http://20muleteammuseum.com/ You can also see the open pit mine, that is
the largest pit mine in California at the Borax visitor center, here is the
link. https://www.borax.com/borax-operations/borax-visitor-center
Fossils
The state fossil is the saber tooth cat. In los Angeles
alone some 2500 specimens have been collected. The Saber tooth cat was heavier
than modern day lions and its two impressive saber teeth was 8” long! One
famous spot to view and learn about fossils is the La Brea Tar Pits, many Ice
age fossils have been found there. Here is a link to the La Brea Tar Pits. https://tarpits.org/ And here is a link to the Fossil Discovery
Center of Madera County. http://www.maderamammoths.org/
this is where a huge find at the county dump unearthed thousands of fossils
including rare long horned antelopes, camels’ horses, giant sloths and saber
tooth cats.
Ant
Hill is north of Bakersfield, in Kern County were shark tooth fossils have been
found. My son Zack and I was able to go dig the area before it closed other
areas nearby may be worth a look, also just north of the old site there was a
sign that said pay to dig shark teeth. Some of the teeth were several inches
long, however many were small. Other areas for fossil shells, clams, and other
finds are still to be found with one of the good guidebooks listed below.
Geodes
Geodes and nodules can be found at many locations in
California. The most famous is Wiley’s Well District. We have done a detailed
blog on this area with a map. Many nice geodes can be found here, as well as a
long list of other gemstones and lapidary material.
Gold
So many areas throughout California have Gold mining history
that it is known as the “Golden State” Northern California has the 49 highway
that runs through the gold areas, rivers and creeks. The gold discovery in 1848
at Sutter’s Mill led to the California gold rush of 1849 tens of thousands came
to California seeking their fortune and from 1850 to 1959 over 28 million
ounces of gold were mined and panned at a value of over 10 billion dollars in
modern times. Many areas are open for gold panning or digging recreationally.
Some links below to good guidebooks. The natural History Museum of Los Angeles
county has an impressive mineral collection and one of the largest gold
displays. https://nhm.org/ Also Marshall Gold Discovery state Historic Park, is a great place to learn about the California gold rush where it all started, here is the link. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=484
Jade
Many areas have Jade of the nephrite type, the most well
know area is Jade Cove, in Monterey County. The last time I checked it was
still ok to collect a small amount from the beach, off the surface. This jade
is treasured for carving and as art. The larger pieces are usually found by
divers how have obtained the proper permits to do so.
Jasper
Jasper is found all over California, and again I would
recommend you pick up a California rockhounding guidebook. But one area that
has nice quality jaspers of reds, golds, and many shades, and patterns is found
in Lavic in the Mojave Desert
Meteorites
The second largest meteorite located in the USA is
California, named “The Old Woman Meteorite” weighing over 6,000 lbs. It was in
1975 in the Old Women Mountains, San Bernardino county. You can see the
meteorite at the Desert Discovery Center, Barstow, California.
Meteorites have been found in many locations throughout
California.
Moonstone
Moonstone is an opalescent, or cloudy stone, some have
flashes of blue or other color, many seem to have a dull glow as the moon. One
great location is Moonstone Beach in Cambria, California. I’m not sure on
collecting status but heard even many years ago that the chances of finding one
are slim to none.
Obsidian
Obsidian is a volcanic glass, its colors are commonly black,
also some have white snowflakes, some have a silver or gold, or a rainbow sheen
to them, also brown or mahogany, and other color shades have been found. One
famous location is Davis Creek, in Lassen County, California were obsidian
needles can also be found.
Serpentine
Serpentine is the California state rock, for good reason as
it is found in 42 out of 58 counties in the state. Fine serpentine is sometimes
mistaken as Jade. Serpentine can have a soapy feel, some say wax like. Its
color is usually shading of greens but can vary black or even a blueish. It can
be fine grained or granular, and even fibrous. Fibrous serpentine has asbestos
in large amounts and has been mined for its asbestos, generally all serpentine
has some asbestos in it, so keep wet if cutting and use the correct personal
equipment.
Tourmaline
Many great deposits of gem quality tourmaline have been in
California. Tourmaline was recently upgraded to the precious gemstone category
for exceptional specimens. These well-structured crystals typically colored
green pink or sometimes blue, also the watermelon[SRR1] type is much sought after specimen. There
is still one mine that has a pay to mine opportunity, who knows you may find a
very valuable gemstone. Here is the link to the dig site. https://www.oceanviewmine.com/
https://amzn.to/3bRl8BA Rockhounding sign
https://amzn.to/3e9FCHj California Rockhound Guide
https://amzn.to/2AOtoW7
Best Rockhounding in California
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Rock” Shirt
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·
Vinson Brown, David Allan, & James Stark, Rocks
and Minerals of California (3d ed. 1987).
·
David D. Alt & Donald W. Hyndman, Roadside
Geology of Northern and Central California (2000).
·
Allen F. Glazner & Robert P. Sharp, Geology
Underfoot in Southern California (1993).
·
Allen F. Glazner & Robert P. Sharp, Geology
Underfoot in Death Valley & Owens Valley (1997).
·
Allen F. Glazner & Greg Stock, Geology Underfoot
in Yosemite National Park (2010).
·
James R. Mitchell, Gem Trails of Northern California (2d
ed. 2005).
·
James R. Mitchell, Gem Trails of Southern California (Rev.
ed. 2003).
·
Gail A. Butler, Rockhounding California (2d
ed. 2012).
·
Katherine J. Baylor, California Rocks:A Guide to
Geologic Sites in the Golden State (2010).
·
Delmer Ross, Rockhounding the Wiley’s Well District
of California:The GPS User’s Guide (2006).
·
William Estivillo, Gems & Minerals of
California:A Guide to Localities (1992).
·
B.J. Tegowski, Easy Field Guide to Invertebrate
Fossils of California (1995).
·
Allan W. Eckert, Earth Treasures Vol. 4A –
Southwestern Quadrant (1987; reprint in 2000).
·
James Martin Monaco & Jeannette Hathway Monaco, Fee
Mining & Rockhounding Adventures in the West (2d ed. 2007).
·
Kathy J. Rygle & Stephen F. Pedersen, Southwest
Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guide (4th ed. 2008).
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