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While it’s true that the Silver State has an abundance of precious metals, it’s also overflowing with valuable rocks, minerals, and gemstones. In this article, we’ll dive into all the rocks, minerals, and gemstones you can collect in Nevada and where to find them.
The Silver State boasts a wide variety of rocks and minerals, such as:
- sandstone,
- obsidian,
- wonderstone,
- jasper,
- agate,
- petrified wood,
- turquoise,
- opal,
- garnet,
- azurite,
- variscite,
- beryl,
- amethyst,
- and silver.
Even though Nevada has many rocks and minerals, you’ll need information to have a successful rockhounding trip. Before you explore the Silver State, take a look at the rocks, minerals, and gems below, along with their locations, so that you know exactly what to expect from this desert state.
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 Nevada
Nevada has almost every kind of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rock that you can think of, so we’ll just focus on the ones that most rockhounds are interested in collecting, such as:
Sandstone
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Red Rock Canyon | 36.132016, -115.424724 |
| Valley of Fire State Park | 36.462218, -114.555087 |
| Las Vegas | 36.177775, -115.381065 |
| Nye County | 36.853674, -116.131769 |
| Lincoln County | 38.524517, -114.318727 |
| White Pine County | 39.488802, -115.527410 |
| Pershing County | 40.639872, -119.109817 |
Did you know that Nevada’s state capitol building is composed of sandstone? You can find sandstone almost anywhere in Nevada, especially in areas near Las Vegas.
Sandstone was given the title of Nevada’s state rock in 1987 due to its abundance and the important role it plays in shaping this state’s breathtaking scenery.
Rockhounds can find sandstone all over Nevada, but some of the best places to go for this sedimentary rock include Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire State Park, which are both near Las Vegas.
Before taking home any stones from this state, it’s best to double check Nevada’s rockhounding rules, especially for state parks and other public areas.
Obsidian
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Nye County | 36.853674, -116.131769 |
| White Rock Canyon | 36.712467, -115.264244 |
| Fish Lake Valley | 37.796087, -118.009357 |
| Scotty’s Junction | 37.299092, -117.054737 |
| Black Rock Canyon | 40.348844, -118.435106 |
| Little High Rock Canyon | 41.287758, -119.293864 |
| Sparks | 39.539601, -119.743256 |
Obsidian is an igneous rock that’s known for its dark coloring and glassy appearance, and there are multiple types that exist in Nevada. One famous type of obsidian that you can find in the Silver State is called Apache Tears.
As you might have guessed, these little pebbles of obsidian resemble tears, and they are only found in a few U.S. states. According to legend, Apache Tears formed when Apache women and children mourned the losses of their warriors.
Nye County is one of the best places to find obsidian in Nevada. For Apache Tears specifically, check out Fish Lake Valley or Scotty’s Junction.
TIP: Obsidian fakes are hardly spotted with the unaided eye. Time, patience, and additional equipment are needed to differentiate between natural and fake obsidian. Find out more below:
Real vs. Fake Obsidian Stone: Check These 8 Key Differences
Wonderstone
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Little Antelope Summit | 39.396855, -115.468221 |
| San Antonio Mountains | 38.066817, -117.195296 |
| Golden Mountain | 38.063810, -117.207140 |
| Valley of Fire State Park | 36.462218, -114.555087 |
| Excelsior Mountain | 38.279065, -118.436947 |
| Tuscarora | 41.314644, -116.226128 |
Wonderstone is a unique type of jasper that’s highly sought after due to its wave-like bands. In Nevada, you can pick up high-quality specimens of wonderstone, typically with maroon, white, tan, pink, and gray tones.
Rockhounds often come across wonderstone in the mountains of Nevada, such as Excelsior Mountain and the San Antonio Mountains.
Jasper
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Clark County | 35.924990, -115.498332 |
| Esmerelda County | 37.702065, -117.775587 |
| Virgin Valley | 36.569524, -114.335811 |
| Lander County | 39.681085, -117.016474 |
| Montezuma Peak | 37.695774, -117.363507 |
| Agate Point | 41.750756, -118.338226 |
In addition to wonderstone, you can bring home many other types of jaspers from the Silver State. Fortunately, you can find jasper just about anywhere in Nevada, so you won’t need to go out of your way to collect this stone.
If you aren’t sure where to start your search, check out Clark County or Lander County, two areas that are known for their beautiful jaspers.
Agate
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Agate Point | 41.750756, -118.338226 |
| Virgin Valley | 36.569524, -114.335811 |
| Pine Nut Mountains | 39.061700, -119.549656 |
| Walker Lake | 38.649694, -118.748960 |
| Elko County | 41.114000, -115.190048 |
| Lander County | 39.681085, -117.016474 |
Rockhounds uncover all sorts of gorgeous agates in Nevada, and the type varies depending on the location. The agates from this state are of exceptional quality, so if you enjoy collecting these rocks, then Nevada is an excellent place to visit.
As you might have guessed, Agate Point is a great destination for agate hunters, along with Walker Lake and Virgin Valley.
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.
Petrified Wood
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Walker Lake | 38.649694, -118.748960 |
| Virgin Valley | 36.569456, -114.335339 |
| Black Rock Desert | 40.910570, -119.056225 |
| Golconda | 40.952976, -117.489374 |
| Goose Creek | 41.947389, -114.075114 |
| San Antonio Mountains | 38.066817, -117.195296 |
Did you know that you can collect petrified wood from Nevada? Rockhounds can visit the Lund Petrified Forest in Washoe County, but individual collecting from this location is prohibited. Fortunately, there are plenty of other areas in the Silver State where rockhounds can find stunning pieces of petrified wood.
From the San Antonio Mountains to Walker Lake, there are all kinds of places to find petrified wood in Nevada. You can also swing by Virgin Valley and the Black Rock Desert for high-quality pieces of this rock.
What Minerals Are Found in Nevada
While Nevada’s rocks are interesting, most collectors visit this state for its minerals and gems, including:
Turquoise
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Sugar Loaf Peak | 41.918079, -114.246026 |
| Excelsior Mountain | 38.279065, -118.436947 |
| Walker Lake | 38.649694, -118.748960 |
| Copper King Mine | 40.801180, -116.236147 |
| Fox Mine (Cortez Turquoise Mine) | 40.158908, -116.699515 |
| Crescent Peak | 35.473751, -115.128151 |
Who would have guessed that Nevada is one of the best states in the country to find turquoise? This mineral exists in fourteen of Nevada’s sixteen counties, so it is extremely common in the state.
The Silver State possesses multiple colors of turquoise, including light and dark blue, bluish-green, and even yellowish-green.
The areas outside of Nevada’s turquoise mines, such as Copper King Mine and Fox Mine, are perfect rockhounding sites for this stone.
Opal
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Royal Peacock Opal Mine | 41.785949, -119.100147 |
| Black Rock Desert | 40.348844, -118.435106 |
| Greenfire Opal Mine | 41.814647, -119.007950 |
| Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine | 41.795380, -119.014924 |
| Lander County | 39.883711, -117.082392 |
| Kokopelli Opal Mine | 41.820622, -119.075691 |
Nevada is the only state in the U.S. with a very special type of opal called the Black Fire Opal. Nominated as the official state precious gemstone of Nevada, the Black Fire Opal is a black stone that displays vibrant shades of red, green, and yellow when exposed to light.
It’s typically discovered in the Virgin Valley and surrounding areas of northern Nevada, and there are also a few opal mines in the state where this gem is found. In addition to Black Fire Opals, rockhounds can bring home precious and common opals from the Silver State.
There are plenty of opal mines where rockhounds can pay to dig, such as the Kokopelli Opal Mine and the Royal Peacock Opal Mine.
TIP: Opal and opalite are fundamentally different substances with almost identical appearances. Check out the differences in the article below:
Opal vs. Opalite: 6 Crucial Differences (Are They Same?)
Garnet
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Garnet Hill | 39.269606, -114.920042 |
| Nightingale Mountain Range | 40.090469, -119.266910 |
| Nelson | 35.706612, -114.825131 |
| Sparks | 39.588566, -119.701714 |
| Ruby Mountains | 40.621715, -115.475300 |
| Ely County | 39.278730, -114.860949 |
Nevada’s garnets are typically deep red in color, and many rockhounds come across high-quality specimens in this state. One of the most popular areas to search for garnets in Nevada is Garnet Hill, where rockhounds can dig in the exposed rhyolites for free.
Some other places to find Nevada garnets are the Ruby Mountains and the Nightingale Mountains.
Azurite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Pershing County | 40.488299, -118.231980 |
| Clark County | 36.116035, -115.602702 |
| Luning | 38.505726, -118.181331 |
| Black Rock Desert | 40.910570, -119.056225 |
| Mountain City | 41.838193, -115.965369 |
| Churchill County | 39.493739, -118.039139 |
Whenever you find copper or turquoise, azurite is usually nearby. There’s a wealth of azurite in Nevada, and you can find it near the state’s copper and turquoise mines.
As you collect this mineral, remember that exposure to air will transform it into malachite. Occasionally, rockhounds collect specimens from Nevada that contain both malachite and azurite.
Pershing County, Churchill County, and Clark County are three counties known to contain high-quality azurite and malachite.
Variscite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Rock Hill | 37.884578, -115.454240 |
| Esmerelda County | 37.689025, -117.638258 |
| Monte Cristo Mountains | 38.981224, -118.137155 |
| Excelsior Mountain | 38.279065, -118.436947 |
| Lander County | 39.883711, -117.082392 |
| Humboldt County | 41.288786, -118.944580 |
Out of all the U.S. states, Nevada is the only place that possesses variscite. Variscite, a rare light to dark green gem with white streaks, exists in multiple areas of Nevada, although it is rarer than more common minerals such as amethyst or garnet.
To collect Nevada variscite, swing by Esmerelda County, Lander County, and Humboldt County.
TIP: Every mineral enthusiast collects minerals and rocks during their travels and field trips. Over time, as the number of rocks increases, the question arises of what to do with them. Find out more below:
Expert Tips on Labeling & Organizing Your Rock Collection
Beryl
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Clark County | 36.071647, -115.602702 |
| Esmerelda County | 37.689025, -117.555860 |
| Virgin Mountains | 36.597201, -114.095843 |
| Ruby Mountains | 40.621422, -115.474914 |
| Nye County | 37.132323, -116.537029 |
| Troy Canyon | 38.351714, -115.601397 |
If you enjoy collecting different types of beryl, you’re in luck! Nevada has many types of high-quality beryl specimens, such as emerald and aquamarine, and it’s especially abundant in the state’s southern counties.
Check out Clark County, Nye County, or Esmerelda County for emeralds, aquamarines, and other beryls.
Amethyst
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Las Vegas Wash | 36.192234, -115.383436 |
| Churchill County | 39.493739, -118.039139 |
| Clark County | 36.071647, -115.602702 |
| Lander County | 39.883711, -117.082392 |
| Lincoln County | 37.373577, -114.924287 |
| Lyon County | 39.183071, -119.410532 |
Rockhounds bring home impressive amethysts from Nevada, and the color and quality of the stones vary depending on the location. Two areas that have spectacular amethysts are the Peterson Mountains and the Eldorado Mountains.
The Eldorado Mountains are located in Clark County, and the Peterson Mountains are in Washoe County. The Las Vegas Wash is also a great place to find this purple mineral.
Silver
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Willow Creek | 47.994999, -89.114508 |
| Humboldt County | 47.215953, -88.476867 |
| Jean | 46.859914, -88.482052 |
| Crescent Peak | 47.423948, -88.098583 |
| Esmerelda County | 46.783124, -88.817253 |
| Lone Mountain | 47.270428, -88.430548 |
In 1977, Nevada nominated silver as its state mineral due to its abundance. Back in the 1860s, travelers journeyed to Nevada in search of gold but discovered a massive wealth of silver instead.
Ever since that time, silver mining has boomed in Nevada, and the mineral continues to contribute a significant amount to the state’s economy today.
No matter where you go in Nevada, you will be able to find silver with ease. The Lone Mountain, Crescent Peak, and Willow Creek are perfect places to start.
TIP: Nevada is a veritable treasure trove for gold prospectors, offering numerous locations rich in gold deposits. Find out more in the article below:
Gold Prospecting in Nevada: 6 Best Locations & Laws
FAQ About Common Rocks & Minerals in Nevada
The minerals listed above are the common rocks and minerals of Nevada, but this state also has some hidden gems, as we’ll discuss in the following FAQs:
What Rare Rocks Can You Find in Nevada
Nevada is a great state to visit if you want to collect agate, obsidian, geodes, wonderstone, jasper, petrified wood, and opalized wood. There’s a special type of obsidian that exists in this state called Apache Tears.
As you may have suspected, these small droplets of obsidian form in the shape of tears. According to legend, these obsidian stones are the tears of the Apache women and children who lost their warriors in battle.
Another rare find that rockhounds can seek out in Nevada is wonderstone, a unique type of jasper that’s valued for its wave-like patterns.
Whether you are collecting Apache Tears or agate, Lander County, Esmerelda County, and Clark County are some of the most bountiful places in Nevada for rockhounds who are searching for rare rocks.
What Rare Minerals Can You Find in Nevada
The Silver State possesses a wealth of gems and rare minerals, including turquoise, azurite, opal, emerald, aquamarine, variscite, vanadinite, garnet, amethyst, onyx, cinnabar, platinum, silver, and gold.
From this list, the mineral that outshines the others in Nevada is opal. Nevada produces an extremely rare type of opal called the Black Fire Opal, and it’s the only state in the U.S. that has significant amounts of this mineral.
The other two minerals that Nevada is known for are silver and turquoise, and both are extremely common all over the state.
Wherever you travel in Nevada, you’ll have the opportunity to pick up some amazing minerals. The Black Rock Desert, Lander County, Esmerelda County, and Churchill County are well-known areas for collecting all sorts of rare minerals.
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)
What is the Most Famous Rock or Mineral Found in Nevada
There’s no doubt that Nevada has an impressive array of minerals, but it’s called the Silver State for a reason! Although opal and turquoise are also well-known in this state, Nevada’s most famous mineral is silver.
This precious metal is abundant all throughout the state, especially in the rivers, creeks, washes, and mountains. During Nevada’s first silver rush in the 1800s, prospectors were actually able to shovel silver straight off the ground.
These heavy crusts of silver, along with the overall abundance of silver throughout the land, are what inspired Nevada’s nickname, the Silver State.
Conclusion
If you have to choose one U.S. state to visit this year, Nevada is an excellent choice. With its wide variety of rare rocks and precious minerals, rockhounds can easily start an entire collection with finds from this state.
Silver, gold, turquoise, wonderstone, opal, and more await you in Nevada, so head on over to the Silver State for a once-in-a-lifetime rockhounding adventure!
TIP: Nevada is quite a sight and a great challenge for rockhounding enthusiasts! Check out the complete rockhounding guide in the article below:
All About Rockhounding in Nevada Where to Go & What to Find