Agates can be collected in many areas along the coast, but the areas around Newport are some of the finest agate hunting areas in the world. Each year the supply of stone is uncovered by the tides. However 2008 has been the best collecting of probably the last 8-10 years. This year we seen a great abundance for collecting where we still have the ability to find nice pieces of agate from small 1" pieces to ones that may weigh 1-3 or even an occasional trophy of 5 pounds and the best thing about beachcombing, it requires no special tools and it's free!

Beachcombing safety tips: can add to your enjoyment of this activity by preventing accidents and injury. Activities here on the coast are often governed by tidal influences. Always be cautious when near the surf. Those beautiful waves can be dangerous as sudden wave surges or "sneaker waves". With these strong outward currents, wash up on the shore with enough impact to knock an adult down and drag them out to sea.

Do not turn your back on the ocean and never play on the driftwood logs. These logs become buoyant and can be moved around in as little as just on inch of water which can float and roll a log over an unaware person causing injury or death. While beachcombing, avoid approaching large rocks, islands or reefs, which could contain wildlife. Please remember to leave all living animals and plants as you found them, as you are visiting THEIR home. To avoid accidents or disturbing wildlife, use binoculars to bring them closer to you!

Watch the tides: every 24 hours and 50 minutes the tide rises and falls twice. The incoming tides are the most dangerous to unwary explorers. Therefore beachcombing requires knowledge of tidal ebb and flow. Variations to predicted tides could be caused by changing weather patterns, currents, wind, and wave size. Therefore, it is prudent to use caution around the ocean. For complete tidal predictions and exact times, check the Hatfield Marine Science Center tide chart. The mild winters of the coast with its clean invigorating air all in such a beautiful setting allow one to hunt at all times of the year with comfort. However, Oregon coast weather is just as unpredictable as the tides. That goes for all seasons.

Making your visit more enjoyable...Dress in layers, taking along a warm all weather jacket, preferably one with a hood to protect your head and ears from the cold winds or rain which we often experience here on the coast and remember to wear old shoes with non-slip soles or rubber boots for additional comfort.

The Pacific Ocean generously renews the agate supply every year during the winter when the storms are the hardiest and the tides uncover great beds of gravel at this time of year. This brings the lighter weight stones characteristic of gem material to the top. Remember these agate-bearing beaches often change their surface features, depending on storms and high tides, possibly within just one tides cycle of 6 hours.

The agate hunter should look for loose gravel on top of the sand. Much of the agate and jasper found on Oregon Beaches will have been worn down until it is rounded into smooth beach pebbles (< - - as shown) or cobbles. If you look closely at a dry piece of this rock, you may see that it is covered with little crescent-shaped indications as though someone had pressed their fingernail into it. Most agates are translucent and when held to the sun or other strong light, the formations inside can be seen. It is best to hunt on an out-going tide for it is then that the gravel has been freshly agitated and the stones are most plentiful. Walk into the sun so that you can better see the agates sparkle. It is always easier to see the agate or jasper when the stones are wet, so start hunting from where the water has recently receded. Keep in mind that because agate is very hard, agate will remain wet and shinier longer than the porous rock, basalt or sandstone pebbles have dried.

Rare finds are agates with water and a moveable bubble of air inside called an enhydro and agates that appear to have fine hair-like needles inside called sagenite. Jasper is an opaque quartz containing oxide of iron, clay, and many other impurities and is found in various colors, such as red, butterscotch, brown, green or any combination there of. Bloodstone is dark-green jasper with small, blood red blotches. These treasures of agate, jasper, and petrified wood are especially beautiful when polished. A rock tumbler will polish them into beautiful gems that can be made into lovely jewelry.

Also, be on the lookout for petrified wood (< - - as shown), fossil clam, and snail shells plus fossilized whale and dolphin bone. They may be seen embedded in a cliff face, (however, do not attempt to remove them from the headlands, as wind and water will erode away the soil). Look among the cobbles washed against the base of the cliffs by the tides. Seldom do you ever see the complete fossil visible. Therefore look for interesting contours and shapes. A permit is required for any digging beyond a modest 3" x 6" deep hole. Any fragile vertebrate fossils are to be left untouched and reported to the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport at South Beach. Small fossils may not be easy to recognize, and they may be taken to the Hatfield Marine Science Center for identification.

A specific list of all the collecting beaches in Oregon would be too lengthy to include here. Visit FACETS Gem & Mineral Gallery for field guides or further information of agate and fossil collecting on Oregon's Central Coast.

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Amazing finds from Newport's beaches may include:

Some spectacular fancy agates

Black agates

Sagenite agates

RARE Baby Blue Agates

Very RARE Pink Agates