Finding Oregon Beach agates is a great family adventure as well as giving that personal satisfaction of finding a prime rock. I studied geology in college and simply find that rocks can tell a complete part of history. It's really exciting to find a superb rock like an agate.

Agates are made from silicon dioxide, a quartz material either clear or colored from other minerals. The Oregon Beach agates typically display translucent colors and are commonly referred to as jasper. For the most part, the agates display a true sense of beauty about them. They are great to add to a collection or spice up an aquarium.

Nearly every Oregon Beach will be a host to some beautiful agates. With the ongoing pounding surf and inclement weather, agates are revealed from their secret hidings. All that's required is a little searching on your part. Granted, it could take hours before you find the "perfect" specimen but it's worth it.

Our kids, and I'd say most kids, love the idea of looking for agates. It's like looking for buried treasure. Use this a an opportune time to bring the family together, hunt for the Oregon Beach agate.

Agates are typically a little heavier than most rocks so they tend to sink or hide beneath other rocks. Just turn over a few rocks and you may find the gem you're looking for. A garden rake is a good asset to have on the beach too. You can uncover some of these precious stones that you could have otherwise missed.

As of this writing, 2006, it's legal to pick up agates for personal use. Commercial harvesting of agates is not legal. There are some areas of protected coastline which restricts the removal of anything from the Oregon Beach. These areas are posted, just be sure to abide by the ordinance.

If you find any high quality Oregon Beach agates, contact us. With your permission, we'll share your findings with others.

Craig Dahl - Senior Editor

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