TN agate

mamabear · Dec 9, 2012

I am interested in looking for the TN paint rock agate, but would like to know if there are any spots left to hunt them. I can't afford a trip there just to find no access to them. They are some of the most beautiful agates I've ever seen.

StoneWhisper · Dec 10, 2012

Mama, I'm not famliure with the name "Painted Agate" or "Painted Rock Agate" See if you can locate other names it might be..

TeAra · Dec 19, 2012

I will search around and see what I can find..if you are unable to afford a trip if I do find some I would gladly send you some.

mamabear · Dec 20, 2012

thanks for the replies. If I knew there was property to dig legally, I would spend the $ for a trip. I love to dig for treasure, & from the pics I've seen, these TN agates are treasures. Thanks for the offer TeAra. Maybe we can dig together.

stefen · Dec 20, 2012

Tongue-In-Cheek

Painted Agate from Navajo Indian Reservation (Arizona) ... :laughing7:

TeAra · Dec 21, 2012

I will check around we do have some places close to me that land on property that is not owned by anyone but have other specimens on it as well...one places I have been finding the calcite clusters also have agate and chert above the property..I will make sure it has items worth a trip and would be no problem to show you these places

luxefaire · Jan 2, 2013

there is a paint rock river/paint rock valley/paint rock alabama, near the tn line, you can collect in the river, be careful, and if its summer watch for snakes...some fine fine spearpoints of paint rock agate can be found in the plowed fields nearby, among many other things...if you can get to an outcrop near the headwaters of the river up by the state line (Most of the land is posted) then you will want to search the 1200 ft level...dewey moss passed away a few years back, you might look up ollie williams in grant alabama, he sells rough and is a good old boy. paint rock agate is some of the fines tgem agate in the world. the yellow and rose with multicolored crepe paper plume is too fine to talk about. the cabs i cut of this stuff run $5.00 per ct. I don't sell many of them but i dont care

... the main problem with pr agate is that most is gotten from weathered out deposits and has been subject to freeze over many years, but that just makes it more of a challenge. if you can dig any it may be pristine, withoout a lot of cracks. it doesnt like high heat, it does like cerium oxide....b

mamabear · Jan 2, 2013

thanks for the info folks. Luxefaire, I will chk that out. Maybe in the spring before snakes. do you have any pix of your pr agate? It is indeed quite beautiful. Never seen anything else like it.

luxefaire · Jan 3, 2013

some better paint rock agate cabs i have cut over time....b

TeAra · Jan 25, 2013

Haven't forgot about you mamabear..Here is a link for places in TN and on along the AL/TN border...I am still searching my neck of the woods and yet to find anything..Have some friends from a Mineral Group helping me to locate exactly what minerals are surrounding my area. Home
Dwarves' Earth Treasures: Alabama & Tennessee Paint Agates

mamabear · Jan 27, 2013

Thanks TeAra! Am chompin at the bit to go to Colemans crystal mine in Jesseville AR. Have you been there? Amazing! & sooo much fun.

TeAra · Jan 27, 2013

You are very welcome..No I haven't I mostly hunt in TN/NC..GA soon..As soon as we get a vehicle that will make it further than that I plan on trying other states.

mamabear · Jan 28, 2013

Luxe, the cabs are beautiful! Must be gorgeous when back lit.
TeAra, let me know if you want the address for the crystal mine. There are several in the area, but the one I go to seems to produce the most.