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Too often, the Sooner State is overlooked in the rockhounding community, overshadowed by its famous surrounding states of Colorado and New Mexico. However, this article will give Oklahoma the attention it deserves and explain why this state is a great stop for rockhounds.
The common rocks and minerals of the Sooner State are:
- rose rock,
- agate,
- fossils,
- jasper,
- petrified wood,
- selenite,
- barite,
- quartz,
- calcite,
- pyrite,
- malachite,
- gypsum,
- and dolomite.
Just like with any new rockhounding area, it’s best to gather some information before you head out into the wilderness. Learn everything you need to know about Oklahoma rockhounding in this guide.
If you are interested in checking out the best rockhounding tools you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link).
What Rocks Are Found in Oklahoma
From rare rocks that only exist in a few areas of the world to more common collectible stones, Oklahoma has everything a rockhound could want:
Rose Rock
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Noble | 35.138461, -97.399730 |
| Lake Thunderbird | 35.214733, -97.264091 |
| Lake Stanly Draper | 35.350012, -97.362099 |
| Oklahoma City | 35.420672, -97.417473 |
| Trosper Park | 35.434554, -97.468792 |
| Pauls Valley | 34.746964, -97.254971 |
Usually, every rockhound who visits Oklahoma wants to collect one rock more than any other, and it’s called the rose rock. Rose rocks are a combination of barite and sand, and they form a shape that looks exactly like a rose in full bloom.
These rocks are only found in a few places on earth, and they vary greatly in size; some are as small as a pea while other are over four inches in diameter, and each one can have five to twenty plates, or “petals.”
In 1968, Oklahoma designated the rose rock as its state rock, and it has been a popular find among rockhounds ever since that time, especially since it’s rarely found anywhere else in the U.S.
The rose rock plays an important role in the state of Oklahoma, and as a matter of fact, central Oklahoma is called “the rose rock capital of the world.” The state even holds a rose rock festival every year to display their beautiful rose rocks.
Central Oklahoma and the areas around Oklahoma are particularly abundant with rose rocks. The city of Noble, Lake Thunderbird, Lake Stanly Draper, and surrounding places have plenty of rose rocks for rockhounds.
Recommendation box: All tools and equipment you need for rockhounding and rock identification* (Amazon links):
1. Estwing Rock Hammer – Light, comfortable, and extremely durable hammer.
2. Estwing Geologist Pick – Classic and the most trusted paleo pick in the world.
3. Finder 12-inch Chisels – Heavy-duty chisels set with hand protection.
4. Mini Handle Shovel – This is a great tool for digging deep in the dirt.
5 Ironclad Utility Work Gloves – Breathable, but they also protect the areas requiring them most.
6. 3M Safety Glasses – Comfortable and efficient goggles for rockhounding.
7. Convoy 8+ UV Light – 365nm UV LED flashlight with a patented glass filter.
8. Wesley’s Jewelers Loupe – High magnification options (30X and 60X) with carrying case.
9. Mohs Hardness Kit – A specially designed kit for rockhounds
*All recommended products are personally tested and regularly used by experts from this website.
Agate
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Carrizozo Creek | 36.906378, -102.986940 |
| Kenton | 36.913175, -102.967899 |
| Alva | 36.811893, -98.664647 |
| Buffalo | 36.835684, -99.622712 |
| Canadian River | 35.444658, -98.127416 |
| Seminole County | 35.210079, -96.658661 |
Banded agates, moss agates, and rose agates are the most common types of agates that you’ll see in Oklahoma. In certain areas, you can also collect agatized algae and agatized cyad wood.
Carrizozo Creek should be the first place on your list if you want to collect all types of Oklahoma agates. Kenton, Alva, and the Canadian River are also top-notch areas.
Fossils
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Kenton | 36.909229, -102.968500 |
| Enid | 36.387476, -97.871700 |
| Tulsa County | 36.152858, -96.285232 |
| Greenleaf Lake | 35.630488, -95.155259 |
| Braggs | 35.658817, -95.194337 |
| Clarita | 34.483112, -96.431768 |
While invertebrate and plant fossils are the most common finds in Oklahoma, the state is known for its many dinosaur fossils.
A very famous dinosaur, called the Saurophaganax Maximus, was nominated as Oklahoma’s state fossil in 2000. This dinosaur was once the apex predator on land, surpassing even the T-Rex with its size and fearsome jaws, and Oklahoma is the only place where it has been found.
Kenton, Enid, and Greenleaf Lake are excellent places to find trilobites, plants, and perhaps even dinosaur bones or teeth.
TIP: Some people like fossils the way they are, while others like to make them shiny or polish them for reselling value or other aesthetic purposes. Find out more in the article below:
Make Your Fossils Shiny (Simple Clearing & Polishing Tips)
Petrified Wood
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Canadian River | 35.444658, -98.127416 |
| Beckham County | 35.261132, -99.586974 |
| Arkansas River | 35.673934, -95.273260 |
| Lugert | 34.894635, -99.275343 |
| Kiowa County | 34.774270, -99.021494 |
| Seiling & Taloga | 36.092512, -98.952905 |
Petrified wood washes up on the shores of Oklahoma’s rivers and creeks on a daily basis. You can also find petrified in the gravels off roads or highways, such as I-40.
The ages of petrified wood specimens vary greatly, and while most of these rocks are on the younger side, some of the oldest petrified wood has been found in Oklahoma.
Check out the Canadian River, Arkansas River, and Beckham County for high-quality pieces of petrified wood.
Jasper
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Alva | 36.811893, -98.664647 |
| Buffalo | 36.835684, -99.622712 |
| Canadian River | 35.444658, -98.127416 |
| Seiling & Taloga | 36.092512, -98.952905 |
| Arkansas River | 35.673934, -95.273260 |
| Kiowa County | 34.774270, -99.021494 |
Rockhounds can bring home gorgeous jaspers from almost any area in Oklahoma. These rocks are typically found alongside agates and petrified wood in the rivers and gravels of the state.
Any of the areas with agates or petrified wood are highly likely to have jaspers. These areas include Alva, Buffalo, and Kiowa County.
TIP: Jasper and agate are natural chemical compounds that are debated in science. Scientists cannot conclude whether agate and jasper can be considered the same mineral chalcedony or not. Find out the answer in the article below:
Jasper vs. Agate: Crucial Differences (Are They Same?)
What Minerals Are Found in Oklahoma
Get ready to dive into all the stunning minerals and gems of Oklahoma:
Selenite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Glass Mountains | 36.352988, -98.584762 |
| Beckham County | 35.275708, -99.586974 |
| Great Salt Plains State Park | 36.713990, -98.181890 |
| Alfalfa County | 36.686464, -98.282140 |
| Cherokee County | 35.773799, -94.934544 |
| Jet | 36.662765, -98.184895 |
Selenite crystals are gorgeous, and many of the ones found in Oklahoma have a unique hourglass form. When clay particles are combined with the selenite crystals, they form a reddish-brown hourglass shape inside the clear selenite.
The Glass Mountains, Alfalfa County, and Cherokee County all contain high-quality selenite. The Great Salt Plains State Park is also a popular stop, but it does cost to enter.
Barite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Holdenville | 35.075274, -96.389163 |
| Miami | 36.910553, -94.873192 |
| Garvin County | 34.707663, -97.186478 |
| Ottawa County | 36.753887, -94.748262 |
| Cleveland County | 35.113761, -97.239061 |
| Lake Thunderbird | 35.225110, -97.268211 |
In addition to the famous rose rocks, you can collect barite in its mineral form in Oklahoma. While rose rocks generally receive all the attention in this state, you can find clusters of clear barite crystals in multiple areas of Oklahoma.
For barite crystals, swing by Holdenville, Garvin County, and Ottawa County. If you want to collect barite rose rocks instead, scroll up to the rose rock section.
Quartz
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Altus | 34.659896, -99.320800 |
| Mangum | 34.865553, -99.506734 |
| Miami | 36.910553, -94.873192 |
| Antlers | 34.226252, -95.618870 |
| Lake Spavinaw | 36.390418, -95.016681 |
| Lawton City | 34.652936, -98.445351 |
Quartz comes in many colors, and in Oklahoma, you can find interesting shades, including green and smoky quartz. As you would expect, you can also find more than enough clear quartz all over the state.
Look near Altus for smoky quartz crystals and Antlers for green quartz crystals. You can also collect quartz from Lawton, Lake Spavinaw, and Miami.
TIP: There are numerous fake quartz crystals you can come across in the market, even if quartz is the most widespread mineral. Check out the differences between real and fake quartz in the article below:
Real vs. Fake Quartz: Focus on These 12 Key Differences
Calcite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Miami | 36.910553, -94.873192 |
| Apache | 34.894272, -98.371821 |
| Ottawa County | 36.753887, -94.748262 |
| Carrizozo Creek | 36.906206, -102.987068 |
| Cotton County | 34.321702, -98.168471 |
| Arkansas River | 36.631415, -97.049241 |
You can find calcite of all shapes and colors in Oklahoma, and some specimens from this state are even fluorescent! So, if you end up collecting calcite crystals in the Sooner State, place them under a UV light to see if they will glow!
Rockhounds have had success finding calcite in Cotton and Ottawa County, especially near the Arkansas River or Carrizozo Creek.
Pyrite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Lake Spavinaw | 36.388483, -95.018398 |
| Ottawa County | 36.763789, -94.767494 |
| Lake Texoma | 33.887378, -96.714543 |
| Pawnee County | 36.366117, -96.790028 |
| Bryan County | 33.879207, -96.253894 |
| Miami | 36.888314, -94.868385 |
Pyrite, or fools gold, is scattered all over Oklahoma, and it’s mainly discovered alongside galena and quartz. If you are searching for well-formed pyrite crystals, then head on over to Eastern Oklahoma, which is known for its pyrite.
Lake Spavinaw, Lake Texoma, and Miami are three areas where rockhounds collect plenty of pyrite crystals.
TIP: Prospecting in Oklahoma has a rich history of minerals and metals waiting to be discovered. Check out the complete guide in the article below:
Gold Prospecting in Oklahoma: 3 Best Locations & Laws
Malachite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Randlett | 34.180402, -98.468433 |
| Paoli | 34.825422, -97.257759 |
| Jackson County | 34.610650, -99.355776 |
| Garvin County | 34.727982, -97.278495 |
| Kiowa County | 34.764117, -99.018753 |
| Flat Top Mountain | 34.413113, -95.637412 |
Malachite from the Sooner State appears light or dark green, and many pieces display stunning banded patterns. Malachite only exists in a few areas of Oklahoma, and it’s typically found by itself without any surrounding minerals.
Randlett, Paoli, and Flat Top Mountain have produced some gorgeous malachites, so they should be your first stops.
Gypsum
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Glass Mountains | 36.353369, -98.585277 |
| Alfalfa County | 36.791013, -98.247814 |
| Cherokee | 36.762212, -98.353870 |
| Lawton | 34.657455, -98.448099 |
| Miami | 36.888314, -94.868385 |
| Freedom | 36.699051, -99.148489 |
Oklahoma’s Glass Mountains are adorned with sparkling gypsum and selenite crystals, and it’s one of the most beautiful rockhounding sites in the state.
This state is also home to the largest natural gypsum cave in the world that’s open to the public, and it’s called the Alabaster Caverns. Depending on where you go, you can bring home green, pink, or white crystals, and they often form eye-catching clusters.
The Glass Mountains, Alfalfa County, and Cherokee all have excellent specimens of gypsum, and while you can’t collect from the Alabaster Caverns State Park, it’s worth a visit if you have time!
BTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? The books listed below are the best ones you can find on the internet (Amazon links):
- Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals
- Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home)
- Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids)
Dolomite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Ottawa County | 36.763789, -94.767494 |
| Major County | 36.307038, -98.529648 |
| Wichita Mountains | 34.758910, -98.643054 |
| Fairview | 36.260463, -98.477380 |
| Miami | 36.887215, -94.866325 |
| Lake Spavinaw | 36.388621, -95.017368 |
While dolomite is mined commercially in Oklahoma, the commercial mines often don’t produce the high-quality crystals that rockhounds seek. However, there are small, curved, and high-quality dolomite crystals in certain areas of the state, and they can appear cream, pink, and white in color.
Check out the Wichita Mountains, Fairview, and Miami to find some lovely dolomite crystals in various colors.
TIP: Have the rocks and minerals in your collection lost some of their initial vibrancy and luster? It’s common for the vibrant colors of freshly cleaned and polished specimens to fade over time. Check out the guide in the article below:
7 Simple Ideas: What to Put on Rocks to Make Them Look Wet
FAQ About Common Rocks & Minerals in Oklahoma
The following FAQs will dive deeper into the rocks and minerals of the Sooner State:
What Rare Rocks Can You Find in Oklahoma
Oklahoma is certainly not lacking when it comes to rare rocks, and in this state, you can find agates, jaspers, petrified wood, fossils, and rose rocks.
If you’re searching for a truly unique rock with an unusual shape, pick up an Oklahoma rose rock. These rocks are composed of barite and sand, and they form shapes that look identical to red roses in full bloom.
Additionally, Oklahoma is one of the few places in the world where these rocks exist, so every rockhound who visits the state should seize this opportunity!
You can collect rose rocks near Noble and Lake Thunderbird, and for other rare rocks, visit Seiling & Taloga or the Canadian River.
What Rare Minerals Can You Find in Oklahoma
There are quite a few rare minerals that you can find in Oklahoma, including hourglass selenite, smoky quartz, turquoise, sphalerite, aragonite, silver, malachite, and celestine.
Even though you might not find diamonds or other precious gems in this state, Oklahoma’s unique set of minerals makes a trip worth your while.
For instance, hourglass selenite is a rare mineral that is created when clay and selenite mix together. The clay forms an hourglass shape inside the selenite, creating a fascinating visual effect.
Ottawa County, Miami, and Lake Spavinaw are some great places to explore if you want to gather multiple minerals from a single location.
What is the Most Famous Rock or Mineral Found in Oklahoma
It makes sense that the barite rose rock is the most famous rock found in Oklahoma, especially since it’s rarely found anywhere else in the world. Rose rocks are composed of barite and sand, and the reason they are famous and highly sought after is due to their rose shape.
Each barite rose rock has “petals” that resemble a rose in full bloom, and each rock can have five to twenty petals. Take a look at the rose rock section in this article to learn even more about these fascinating rocks.
Noble, Lake Thunderbird, and Oklahoma City are three areas with plenty of rose rocks. Generally, these rocks show up in Central Oklahoma, so you’ll want to stay in that area to collect these treasures.
Conclusion
Oklahoma is often overshadowed by its surrounding states that are popular in the rockhounding community, but the Sooner State has some fascinating rocks and minerals that are not to be overlooked.
Rose rocks, hourglass selenites, gypsum crystals, and much more await you in the Sooner State, so you’ll be able to find everything you’re looking for and more in Oklahoma.
TIP: The state of Oklahoma was once part of the legendary Tri-State Mining District, along with Missouri and Kansas. Check out the complete rockhounding guide in the article below:
Where to Rockhound in Oklahoma (and What You Can Find)