Thunderegg.
Thunderegg (Oregon State Rock) The thunderegg (geode) was named state rock by the 1965 Legislature after rockhounds throughout Oregon voted it first choice. The thunderegg is a structure created in welded tuff or perlitic rocks.
Contents
What is Oregon State Mineral?
BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon: That oregonite and josephinite are the official twin minerals of the State of Oregon.
What is the most common rock in Oregon?
thunderegg
The most popular rock in Oregon is said to be the “thunderegg.” Thundereggs are “nodules” or “geodes” that form when agate, chalcedony, or opal precipitate within the cavities of rhyolite, welded tuff, or perlite.
What are the state rocks?
Table of minerals, rocks, stones and gemstones
| State federal district or territory | Mineral | Rock or stone |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Wulfenite | |
| Arkansas | Quartz (1967) | Bauxite (1967) |
| California | Gold (1965); California’s nickname is the Golden State | Serpentine (1965) |
| Colorado | Rhodochrosite (2002) | Yule marble (2004) |
Why was the Thunderegg Oregon State rock?
According to legend, thundereggs were named by the Native Americans of central Oregon, who are said to have believed that these strange, agate-filled stones were thrown by fighting “thunder spirits” who dwelt on Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood (two of several snow-capped peaks high in the Cascade Range).
Where do you find Sunstone?
Sunstone Localities
Aventurescent feldspar has been found in Australia, Canada, China, Congo, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Norway, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, the United States (Oregon, New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania) and other localities. The most famous sunstone deposits in the United States are located in Oregon.
Are there Emeralds in Oregon?
You can find marvelous agates, thundereggs, opals, geodes, quartz, jaspers, jades, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls, sunstones, and moonstones. Today, I will dissect the state of Oregon and unveil the best rockhounding sites available and what you can find.
Are diamonds found in Oregon?
The “diamonds” are feldspar crystals formed thousands of years ago in basaltic lava flows.They’re found in many areas of the world, but Oregon’s are unique, with colors ranging from yellow to peach, pink, champagne, red and green.
What kind of rocks are in Central Oregon?
The six major categories of material available include: Agate, Jasper, Limb Casts, Obsidian, Petrified Wood, and Thunder Eggs. Less common rocks and minerals found in central Oregon include opal, amethyst, gem quality calcite, cinnabar, selenite (gypsum), and amygdaloid nodules.
Is Amethyst found in Oregon?
Amethyst. The Shellrock Mountain and Western Vein in the Bohemia Mining District is known to have Amethyst deposits. The Bohemia area is best known for gold mining, but other minerals can also be found in this area.
How many states have a state rock?
At least twenty-five states have declared official state rocks or state stones. In the chart below, a year which is listed the year during which that rock or stone was officially adopted as a State symbol or emblem.
What type of rock is our state rock?
Limestone, a sedimentary rock found throughout Tennessee, was designated the official state rock by the 91st General Assembly with Public Chapter 42 in 1979.
What kind of rock is the state rock?
Serpentine
Serpentine rock is apple-green to black and is often mottled with light and dark colored areas.
Where can I find Thundereggs?
Central and Eastern Oregon is the most popular region in the world for thundereggs hunting. The best productive areas are located in the Ochoco National Forest, in the high desert of Central Oregon near Prineville and Madras, and in Succor Creek Creek Canyon of Eastern Oregon.
Are Thundereggs valuable?
Thundereggs are made into beautiful jewelry, especially bolo ties and pendants, pen stands, bookends, and decorator pieces. Their value ranges from about $1 per slice or half egg to well over $100 per slice or single cabochon.
What is inside a geode?
Most geodes contain clear quartz crystals, while others have purple amethyst crystals. Still others can have agate, chalcedony, or jasper banding or crystals such as calcite, dolomite, celestite, etc. There is no easy way of telling what the inside of a geode holds until it is cut open or broken apart.
Where can I dig for Oregon sunstone?
The Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area allows visitors to enjoy collecting these rare and beautiful gems in their natural setting. Located in the remote Rabbit Basin, the Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area is in the high desert habitat of sagebrush and open spaces of south-central Oregon.
Is Aventurine a sunstone?
These inclusions give the stone an appearance something like that of aventurine, hence sunstone is known also as aventurine feldspar.The optical effect called shiller and the color is due to copper.
Are Oregon Sunstones rare?
Oregon Sunstone is extremely rare. Fully transparent, top gemmy quality of colored and/or copper schiller Sunstone is not found anywhere else in the world. Value of this amazing gem ranges from 8 US dollars per carat all the way through 4,500 US dollars per carat.
Are there Opals in Oregon?
There is a mine in the West Coast Mining Company, marketing opals through its outlets. Klamath County, Oregon hosts Opal Creekand Klamath Falls, where opals have been found. The Favell museum in Klamath falls actually boasts an arrowhead made of fire opal!
Can you find opals in Oregon?
Oregon’s opals
Oregon’s Morrow County is the site of a large opal mining operation in an area called Opal Butte. Although these deposits were identified in the 1800s, they were not mined until 1988 when West Coast Gemstones, Inc. began work there. They have located and sold exquisite gems as large as 315 carats.
