Presentation - Beach combing 101

Tuesday Evening May 26^th will be the last in this years series of talks on Coastal Encounters. 

Lincoln County author of Agates of the Oregon Coast Kay Myers will present Beach combing 101, finding agates on the Central Oregon Coast.  This presentation with video will be held at the Driftwood Public Library in Lincoln City Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM.

Trophy agate found on the Pacific Coast

Darth Vader?

Here is last Thursday's agate trophy found by Sandra, one of our local beachcombers here on the Central Oregon Coast. Congratulations to Sandra on finding this beautiful black fortification agate among all of the Velella velella on the beach. That could not have been easy to see among all of that debris as the link to the (Velella velella) will show you.  

The center opening at the bottom shows a small pocket of druse or druzy quartz crystals which is a coating of small fine crystals which allows that area to be somewhat translucent under high intensity lighting. 

Florida Beachcomber finds 8¼ pound Agate!

Sorry I haven't had a moment to keep you updated, I have been so busy here in the showroom, lots of folks in this summer. The photo "Still Rock'n The Coast at Newport" below remained gravely until sometime the last week of September.

Beachcomber, Cliff of Florida found this large sugar agate a couple of weeks ago while vacationing here on the Oregon Coast. weighing in at a healthy 8¼ pounds and is 8½" long.
 Added: November 1, Here is the new photo showing the before it was  polished and now completed.
We are also working on two more pocket guides that I'm sure you are going to enjoy just as much. Be watching for our announcement early next year.

Beachcombing On The Oregon Coast

The agate beds have been shifting here in Lincoln County so much this year. We have been trying to explain this phenomena to our guest but they can't seem to understand it. We had a gentleman in earlier this month and he said "The first day I was here the beach outside my window was littered with gravel and I had a great time finding agates, jasper, fossils, etc. The next morning I looked out my window and it was all gone, nothing but sand!" This is what we mean by the change of the tide (every six hours) and the agate bed may disappear.

Obviously all of those cars parked at the beach during the winter can't be wrong. It does not mean the people are out there sun bathing, it just means the folks are having a great time finding treasures out there on the beach. You too will have to actually get out of the car, stand out there on the beach and look north and south maybe a 100 yards and possibly you will find a new gravel bed littered with agates, jaspers, and fossils.

Remember to - Seek, and Ye Shall Find.

Agate Arrowhead found on the Oregon Coast

This beauty of an agate Indian arrowhead 1½" long was found south of Newport last winter by Jerry D. a local resident, beachcombing here on the Oregon coast. It is in remarkable shape, the workmanship is incredible on this piece considering how hard agate would be to work by hand without the aid of modern lapidary equipment. It is one thing to work in obsidian which is volcanic glass and much easier to work with deer horn in those times.

Jerry brought this in a couple of weeks ago to share with you folks. He was such a nice fellow he gave it to his boss as a gift! That was beyond generous Jerry.

Editors Note: Check out another arrowhead found her on the Oregon coast, last year.

Busy Season here on the Oregon Coast...

The storms have been numerous, delighting our seasoned beachcombers, tourists and novice agate hunters alike. The weather and the waves have caused a variety of changes on the beaches, as well as all sorts of stuff washing up or being exposed. This is a time of discovery with the uncovering oddities and good reports of treasures being found on the local beaches, one couple had even found an old glass fishing float with some fish net still attached. Our guest are really enjoying the hunt looking for agates and jaspers.

Sorry I haven't had a chance to keep up lately, work has been wild. This is the first photo I have been able to take in weeks. I haven't had time to take any photos of recent treasures that have been found. Plus on top of everything else, our updates are in the work for the new revised copy of the pocket guide Agates of the Oregon Coast that will be out next year. Hard to believe it is time for a reprint already. We thought the first printing would have lasted for two years or so.

Agate found January 21, 2009

Oh Danny boy you did it again!

Newport resident Danny found this beauty just yesterday here in the Newport area. Great way to start the season!

Nice large Jasp-agate found

This nice large piece of jasp-agate was found earlier in July by Kevin C. of Yachats.

Tali-Ho and off to school she goes!

Have a safe journey and good luck at school, Tali you will be missed by all of us here in Newport! You have been such a great team player here with us for the last two years. We know you will excell in anything you set your mind to.

Tali is shown here with her gold wire wrapped cloud agate that was actually found here in Newport with the inclusion shaped as a cross. How fitting a piece to send her off to Boise Bible College.

Good Luck from all of us!

BEAUTIFUL CARNELIAN AGATE!

This beauty was found by lucky beachcomber Barbara G. in April. It weighs ½ pound and is shown here in it's polished splendor illuminated by a light from below to highlight it's beauty from within.

Oregon Coast Agate Found

Another beautiful large agate weighing 1.55 pounds was found at Newport in May, by local resident Glenda.

5" Carnelian Agate Geode, found!

Local resident Alan found this beauty in the Newport area early in May,
weighing in at 1.7 pounds.

Sorry I have been so late getting these up there is alot to be added as time permits. Please check back from time to time.

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