I want to go agate hunting for my birf day

[famous turtle treasures]

My wife and I are heading down to a friend's beach house sort of near Oceanside, WA this weekend for my birthday. They say that their kids go out hunting for agates all the time when they are there. I have no idea how to hunt for agates, but I am sure someone here can help. I am familiar with agate slabs, but I am not exactly sure what they look like in their natural form. I met one guy who said something about hitting rocks, and if they sound like glass they are agates, but I dunno. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Eu_citzen]

You bring a rock hammer and hit rocks looking for things that indicate Agate - I guess you'd mainly go by looks.
The "bands" are a tell tale sign.

Don't forget protective gear i.e. gloves, protective glasses. Sharp pieces of rock can hurt ya pretty bad!

It also depends on how they are situated - Are they in the host rock or have they eroded out of it.
If they where in rock I'd be looking for "holes" in the rock where it might have been "concentrated" geologically.

[goldinmypan]

Oceanside sounds like a beach town. If so the agates they find may come from beach combing. Look for rocks(stones) that have a shine to them. Agates and jaspers are hard and polish in the surf. Consentrate on pebbley sections on the beach.

[famous turtle treasures]

Thanks for the info! I failed miserably at finding any agates, the beach was completely the wrong type where we were at.

There is a silver lining to the story though. I was at work putting in our boat to go diving when I realized the beaches here are rocky beaches. When we got back from diving I hoped out and started looking at the rocks. I have a vague idea of what agates look like, and I think I found a bunch of them.

The best part is IF they do turn out to be agates, you have to have a secret clearance just to get into the area where they are, which means its its virtually unpicked agate territory!

I'll post pics tonight!