Crystalline Quartz, Agate, Jasper, and Chert
Across Oregon, crystalline quartz, agate, jasper, and chert occur in a wide range of colors and forms. These minerals are commonly found in volcanic and metamorphic areas, where they weather out of ancient lava flows and appear along coastlines, riverbeds, and desert outcrops.
Chert is most often found in marine sedimentary layers along the Oregon Coast, the Columbia River, and throughout Eastern Oregon.
Thundereggs
Oregon produces an impressive variety of thundereggs, known for their wide range of colors and patterns. Central and Eastern Oregon are the most productive regions, including the Ochoco National Forest, the high desert near Prineville and Madras, and Succor Creek Canyon in Eastern Oregon.
Thunderegg is the official rock of Oregon.
Obsidian
High-quality obsidian is found in Central and Southeastern Oregon’s volcanic areas.
The best-known collecting areas include Glass Butte near Burns, where rockhounds can find a variety of obsidian types, including rainbow, mahogany, and midnight lace. Another great location is Mud Ridge at Hines.
Petrified Wood and Limb Cast
Petrified wood and limb casts are commonly found in Central and Eastern Oregon. Well-known sites include Hampton Butte, Bear Creek, Congleton Hollow, and Dendrite Butte.
Eastern Oregon locations such as Negro Rock, Succor Creek, Fremont National Forest, and areas near McDermitt are known for well-preserved limb casts and petrified wood.
Oregon Sunstone
Oregon Sunstones are found only in the high desert of southeastern Oregon. These gemstones range in color from pale yellow to deep red and green, often displaying a shimmering effect called aventurescence.
Popular collecting areas include the BLM-managed Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area near Plush and and fee-sites such as Dust Devil’s, Spectrum Sunstone, and Double Eagle.
Oregon Sunstone is designated as the official state gemstone.
Oregon Fossils
Oregon offers diverse fossil collecting opportunities, from marine fossils along the coast to leaf impressions and plant fossils in the high desert.
Much of Oregon was once covered by ancient seas, so marine fossils such as shells and corals can also be found far inland.
Common public fossil collecting areas include the Oregon Coast, Wheeler High School Fossil Beds, Delintment Lake, and Beulah Lake.
