Nature Abounds on the Central Oregon Coast

Agate found on the central Oregon coast, this 3½ pound agate was just found by Newport residents Greg & Cheryl, it has yet to be cleaned more but upon close inspection it appears to be ice blue in color.

This is a rare treasure that was also found on the beach at Newport. This is a 3 pound piece of green basalt that has been worked with a drill appears to be Indian artifact, possibly a sinker for a fishing net?

Rock Candy? Butterscotch? Here is just a few of the Beach combing treats found last week by Tim, while he was collecting from Yachats to Lincoln City. They look good enough to eat.

< - - Editors Note: There is a quarter at the center bottom for scale.

Storms have started!

Have you read the latest Rock & Gem (October issue) magazine yet? They have a wonderful article on the Origin of Agate, written by Steve Voynick a mineral collector and former hardrock miner. For all of you that want to know more on the formation of agate this is an article you won't want to miss.

Here on the Oregon coast the rockhounds are all anxiously awaiting the scouring of the beaches for the agates and the fossils to reappear for all of our beachcombers to experience treasure hunting during the discovery season now through May.

Upcoming lowest tides of the year for the Oregon Coast!

Video by Torsten Kjellstrand/The Oregonian - The tide was so low Wednesday May 27, 2009 that, in addition to gaining access to areas normally under water, people could easily reach the boiler for which Boiler Bay, just north of Depoe Bay, was named. Lower tides are forecast for June 23 & 24.

Geology's Rock stars still being found on the Oregon Coast!

Nice find! This was just brought in by local agate collector Jeff, This Oregon agate geode showing nice quartz crystals weighed in at 5.4 pounds. Not bad considering that it was pretty much all buried in the sand. This just goes to prove, Agates can still be found on the Oregon coast even when you least expect it even if the beaches appear sanded in.

Fossilized tooth found on the beach

< - - This fossilized tooth was found on the beach is yet to be identified. Possibly a petiped tooth as the ones in the jaw (shown in photo below) with the little boy. Found by lucky beachcomber Kevin of Lincoln County.

Agate found January 21, 2009

Unsual Basalt formation...

This specimen was found about 6 weeks ago just south of Newport, by Richard of Seal Rock. Basalt is normally smooth and does not have any pattern at all to it. We believe this orbicular pattern to be an indicator as to the rapid cooling during it's formation. Nice find Richard!

FOSSILIZED CRAB FOUND LOCALLY

Lucky beachcomber Frank of Toledo just picked up what appeared to be just another piece of jasper and found this complete fossilized crab on the backside of the cobble while kicking around at the beach. Nice find Frank!

Nice Pyritized Fossil Sea Shells Found at Newport!

These fossil shells with secondary pyrite crystals were two specimens that lucky resident Lisa found just north of Newport. The marine fossil mollusks of this area are generally about 15-20 million years old.

Editors note: Photo is about double the size of the actual specimen.

Petrified wood found beachcombing at Newport, Oregon

This was another extreamly large piece (weighing in at maybe 10 plus pounds) of petrified wood just found here in Newport by Arnie, another lucky guest. This piece has an oval shape centerally located of druzy quartz crystals, and the end above the teeth of the garden fork appears to be well agatized displaying the wonderful grain paterns in colorful banding of bluish-black, grey and white agate.

Fossil shark's tooth found at the beach in Newport, Oregon!

This fossilized shark's tooth was recently found on the beach by lucky Lincoln county guest, Sue P. in north Newport. This is the largest sharks tooth that we have personally seen from this area (large ones like this are generally found on the east coast). The tooth in it's entirity must have been at least 4" overall in total size.

A wonderful specimen of Crepidula praerupta

Crepidula praerupta (Conrad) fossils of a flat shell commonly preserved together in groups as seen here. Found in the past by Newport resident E. J.

Nautilus fossil found at South Beach in Newport, Oregon

A beautiful fossilized specimen of an Aturia angustata (Conrad) of which is the extinct species that is compared with the present day Nautilus pompilus. The photos shows the interior cavity lined of druzy quartz crystals, while the exterior shell still shows the well detailed growth chamber by chamber. Found locally by Brent, a Lincoln county beachcomber.

Trophy Sized Petrified Wood Found!

Beachcomber Thiago G. of Lincoln City, proudly holding the large 15 pound Myrtle Wood boulder he reciently found on the beach, in Lincoln County, Oregon.

Agate found by Joe Cheek, just fresh out of the tumbler. Only polished enough to retain the exhisting patterns as it was found!

It's agate season on the beaches of Newport, Oregon!

It is truly agate season here on the central coast of Oregon. The tides have yielded some of the nicest trophies of beautiful agates to be seen here in years. Here is another trophy for a proud local beachcomber Joe Cheek with his 4.35 pound agate that he found in January at South Beach, of Newport, Oregon.

Exotic Agate found by beachcomber Ray Morrow

Exciting find of a 2.2 pound agate found just north of Newport , Oregon August 2007. I identified it as an agate but thought it would be a carnelian agate, due to the exterior color.

Ray took it home and it was the first rock that he ever sliced, just removing the heal he exposed the most unsual agate found in the area. It was not carnelian (red-orange) but BLUE as like blue lace agate but with spectacular ribbons of pyrite dendrites running through it!

He brought it in to the showroom and we polished the exposed face of it to bring out it's true beauty.

Agates of the Oregon Coast

Useful information on Agates of the Oregon Coast...

Today's hot news about Oregon Agates...Since earlier this month after many numerous storms have scoured the sand off the central Oregon coastline just in time for the beachcombers and rock hounds to find some really GORGEOUS agates. Just today agates of every color: white ones, yellow ones and ones that are black with colorful designs. You too can find patterned agates and jaspers as you go beach combing today just "look around" for the exposed gravel beds!

You might want to obtain a copy of the beachcombers bible "Agates of the Oregon Coast" available at the local rock shops or book stores. Do remember to get a copy of the local tide book for where you will be hunting, never turning your back on the ocean.