Are there any valuable rocks in Illinois?
Illinois is world famous for its Mazon Creek fossil deposits as well as for its fluorite deposits. Apart from fluorite, some other minerals found in Illinois are calcite and barite. There are also locations where geodes are found.
What stones and rocks are worth money?
Granite is much harder than gold, but it’s far less valuable than gold.
| Rock, Mineral, Metal | Mohs Value |
|---|---|
| Diamond | 10 |
| Corundum | 9 |
| Topaz | 8 |
| Quartz | 7 |
How much is a geode rock worth?
Large amethyst geodes can go for thousands. Baseball sized geodes with non-spectacular quartz or calcite crystals can be purchased for $4-$12. Geodes with uncommon minerals that are sold on mineral auction sites range in price from $30-$500. Golf ball sized geodes, uncracked, are sold for about $2 at shows.”
Can I sell rocks I find?
Sell to a Rock Shop Ideally, if you found a local rock shop to do business with, this would be a great source of selling your collection. This is a very common way to sell rocks for part-time rock hunters.
What gemstones can you find in Illinois?
A wide variety of rocks and minerals can be found in the area including agate, jasper, many geodes, calcite, and even diamond. Notably, Southern Illinois is famous for its fluorite and fluorspar mines.
What kind of rocks are found in Illinois?
Most of the rocks native to Illinois are sedimentary rocks. Some are made of small pieces of shells, plant and animal remains, and weathered fragments of other rocks (sediments) that have been moved by rivers, waves, winds, or ice (glaciers).
How do I know if my rock is worth money?
The harder a mineral is, the more likely it is to be valuable. If you can scratch the mineral with your fingernail, it has a hardness of 2.5 Mohs, which is very soft. If you can scratch it with a penny, its hardness is 3 Mohs, and if it takes a piece of glass to scratch it, the hardness is 5.5 Mohs.
Where to take a rock to find out what it is?
Possibilities include:
- Your state geological survey.
- A natural science museum.
- A college or university with a geology department.
- A rockshop.
- Members of a local Gem & Mineral club or Rockhunting club (many hobbyists are experts at identification)
- Vendors at a Gem & Mineral show.
How can I tell if my rock is a geode?
Tell-Tale Signs of a Geode
- Geodes are usually spherical, but they always have a bumpy surface.
- Geodes will sometimes have loose material inside, which can be heard when shaking the rock.
- Geodes are usually lighter than their size would indicate since the interior doesn’t contain any material.
How do you price rocks?
The value of rocks and minerals is determined by how well documented and cataloged they are, the quality of the specimen, perceived rarity, and sale history. There is no set value for any specimen. Ultimately their value is determined by what someone else is willing to pay.
Can you take rocks from the river?
yes. You can take rocks and minerals from public lands.
Can you find gold in Illinois creeks?
With luck and patience, you can find a small amount of gold in some Illinois creeks. You may also be able to find fossils and semi-precious stones in these creeks as well. Gold does not occur in mineable deposits in the state of Illinois, but you can pan for gold recreationally in the hopes of finding placer gold.
What minerals are found in the ground in Illinois?
In Illinois, economic minerals are present deep underground in many places; for example, coal is mined to a depth of 1,000 feet, and oil is produced from porous rock layers, called pay zones, at depths of several thousand feet. Lead and zinc ores, fluorspar, silica sand, limestone, sand, gravel, clay, and shale are all found at shallower depths.
What type of metamorphic rocks are found in Illinois?
Metamorphic rocks are found in Illinois as boulders and pebbles in glacial drift. Foliated metamorphic rocks contain minerals that occur in layers; unfoliated rocks are massive.
Why collect rock and mineral specimens in Illinois?
At first glance, Illinois, “The Prairie State,” may appear to be an unlikely place in which to collect rock and mineral specimens. But Illinois is surprisingly rich in rock and mineral resources, thanks to the great diversity and wealth of materials beneath its land surface.
What are some examples of underground mines in Illinois?
In Illinois, economic minerals are present deep underground in many places. For example, coal is mined to a depth of 1,000 feet, and oil is produced from porous rock layers, called pay zones, at depths of several thousand feet.