Geodes are like nature’s surprise eggs, filled with sparkling crystals inside a plain-looking rock. Our state is a treasure trove for these hidden gems, with its many different landscapes that make it perfect for rock hounds.

If you’re itching to crack open your own crystal-filled wonder, you’re in the right place!

This article will show you the best spots in our state to find geodes. We’ll also share some handy tips to make your geode hunting adventure a success.

So grab your hammer and get ready to discover the beauty hiding in ordinary-looking rocks all around this state!

How Geodes From Here

Geodes form when bubbles in volcanic rocks or spaces in sedimentary rocks get filled with minerals over time.

First, water rich in minerals like quartz or calcite seeps into the hollow space. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind the minerals, which slowly build up layer by layer.

Eventually, these minerals create a crystal lining inside the geode. The outer shell stays rough, while the inside becomes a sparkling treasure.

The process can take thousands, even millions, of years, making each geode a unique and beautiful time capsule of Earth’s natural forces.

The Types Of Geodes Found in the US

There are many fascinating varieties of geodes that can be found across the United States, including in our own state. Each type is distinctly beautiful and intriguing:

Amethyst Geode

Amethyst geodes look plain on the outside, like a potato. But crack them open, and you’ll find stunning purple crystals. These crystals can be light lavender or deep purple.

The structure of crystals inside can vary widely. Some are tiny and densely packed, creating a sparkling surface. Others form large, distinct points that jut inwards.

The color range is impressive too, from pale lilac to deep royal purple. Some amethyst geodes develop unique features. “Stalactites” of amethyst might hang from the top.

In rare cases, you might find a water bubble trapped inside, a remnant from the geode’s formation millions of years ago.

Citrine Geode

Citrine geodes are eye-catching rocks with golden yellow to orange crystals inside. They sparkle when light hits them, looking like sunshine trapped in stone. The colors come from iron mixed in with the quartz.

Unlike many gemstones, citrine’s color is often evenly distributed throughout the crystal.

Most citrine on the market isn’t natural. It’s actually heat-treated amethyst. This process turns the purple amethyst into vibrant citrine. Natural citrine is rarer and often has a more subtle color.

Pyrite Geode

Ever cracked open a rock and found gold inside? Well, not real gold, but something that looks just like it. That’s a pyrite geode. Pyrite is called “fool’s gold” because it’s so shiny and golden.

Inside these geodes, pyrite forms in cool shapes. Sometimes it’s perfect cubes. Other times its clumps or even round balls called “pyrite suns”.

Pyrite has a fun history. People have been mixing it up with real gold for thousands of years. That’s how it got its nickname.

Selenite Geode

Selenite geodes stand out from the crowd. They’re white and see-through, with a glassy look. When you open one up, you’ll see crystals that look like they’re made of ice or moonlight.

Unlike harder geodes, selenite is soft. You can scratch it with your fingernail! This softness means you need to handle it carefully. But it also means selenite can be shaped into beautiful forms easily.

One cool thing about selenite is how it plays with light. Hold it up to a lamp, and you’ll see the light shine right through it. This makes selenite geodes popular for decorative lamps and light fixtures. They add a magical glow to any room.

Celestite Geode

Celestite geodes are like pieces of sky trapped in rock. Their crystals are typically a delicate blue, ranging from almost colorless to deep sky blue. In rare cases, celestite can form in other colors. Pink celestite is highly prized by collectors.

One unique feature of celestite is its perfect cleavage. This means the crystals can be easily split into rhombohedral shapes.

These geodes form in a unique way. They start as nodules of a soft mineral called alabaster. Over time, this dissolves and is replaced by celestite crystals. Some celestite geodes are huge, like the famous Crystal Cave in Ohio.

Celestite isn’t just pretty to look at. It’s used to make strontium, an element with many uses. You’ll find strontium in fireworks, where it creates red colors. It’s also used in making TV screens and ceramics.

Jasper Geode

Jasper geodes are the chameleons of the mineral world. They can appear in almost any color, often with multiple hues in a single specimen. Patterns can range from solid colors to intricate swirls, bands, or spots.

One fascinating type is picture jasper. These geodes contain patterns that resemble landscapes, with “skies,” “mountains,” and “rivers” visible in the stone. Each one is like a miniature painting created by nature.

Some jasper geodes contain orbicular patterns – spherical structures that formed as the jasper solidified. These create eye-catching bull’s-eye or flower-like designs in the stone, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.

Carnelian Geode

Carnelian geodes have vibrant orange to reddish-brown colors. They can be somewhat see-through, which makes them look even more interesting. The bright colors come from the iron in the stone.

These geodes stand out from other similar stones. They’re brighter than sard, which is usually darker and more brownish. And unlike agate, carnelian doesn’t have bands or stripes.

Carnelian has been popular for a long time. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks used it to make special rings. It’s tough enough for everyday jewelry.

Some people heat or dye carnelian to make its color even brighter. This makes it a favorite for both rock collectors and jewelry lovers.

Fluorite Geode

Fluorite geodes are like nature’s rainbow. They come in many colors – purple, green, blue, yellow, and sometimes even clear or black. When you open one up, you might see cube-shaped or eight-sided crystals inside.

What makes fluorite special is that you can often see more than one color in a single stone. This is different from many other geodes. Also, fluorite has a unique way of splitting when it breaks.

A cool fact: fluorite glows blue under ultraviolet light. This was first discovered back in 1852. Because of its many colors and this glowing ability, fluorite is sometimes called the “most colorful mineral in the world.”

Scolecite Geode

Scolecite geodes are like tiny crystal caves. They’re usually white or colorless, but sometimes you might find pink, yellow, or green ones.

What makes them special is the crystals inside. They look like thin needles or delicate hairs, all pointing out from the center.

These geodes are different from others because of their crystal shape. Instead of blocky or chunky crystals, scolecite has these fine, hair-like ones. This gives them a unique, delicate look.

Scolecite has an interesting property – it can hold a lot of water in its structure. This means it can absorb and release water easily. This makes scolecite useful in various ways, not just as a pretty rock to look at.

Apophyllite Geode

Apophyllite geodes are like nature’s disco balls. They often have dark or black crystals inside a hollow rock. These crystals can be see-through or slightly cloudy, with cube-like or flat shapes.

What makes apophyllite geodes stand out is how the crystals form. They grow in round clusters that look like tiny disco balls. This unique formation is rare and makes them special to rock enthusiasts.

Collectors really prize these “disco ball” clusters. They’re not common, which makes them valuable to people who love unusual rocks. The way apophyllite crystals catch and reflect light adds to their appeal, making them fascinating to look at and study.

What Rough Geode Looks Like

Identifying a rough geode might seem tricky, but with a few tips, you can spot one even if you’re not a rock expert. Here’s how you can do it.

Look for a Rounded Shape

A rough geode often has a rounded or egg-like shape. It might not be perfectly round but look for a generally bulbous form.

When you’re out searching, skip the flat, jagged rocks. Geodes usually have smoother exteriors because they’ve been rolling around in rivers or other environments for a long time.

Check for a Dull, Bumpy Surface

The outside of a geode isn’t usually shiny. Instead, it’s dull, bumpy, and a bit rough.

Imagine a potato or a clump of dirt with some bumps and dents. That’s how a geode might look before it’s cracked open.

The outside won’t give away much of what’s inside, so don’t be fooled by its ordinary appearance.

Test the Weight

Pick up the rock. Does it feel lighter than it looks? That’s a good sign!

Geodes are hollow or partially hollow, which makes them lighter than solid rocks of the same size. If it feels unexpectedly light, you might have found something special.

Look for Tiny Crystals or Mineral Patches

Sometimes, you can spot small crystals or mineral deposits on the outside. These could look like tiny sparkles or specks of color.

While the outside of a geode is usually dull, a little peek of what’s inside might show through. Keep an eye out for these hints, especially if you’re in a known geode-rich area.

Tips on Where to Look

Once you get to the places we have listed below there are some things you should keep in mind when you’re searching:

Explore Riverbeds and Streams

Geodes often form in riverbeds or streams. Water flow smooths out their rough edges and deposits them in these areas.

When exploring, focus on gravel bars or the edges of rivers where rocks naturally gather.

Search in Sedimentary Rock Layers

Sedimentary rocks, like limestone, are prime spots for geodes. These rocks form in layers over time, trapping minerals inside.

Look for areas where sedimentary rocks are exposed, such as cliffs or road cuts.

Visit Old Mines or Quarries

Abandoned mines and quarries are excellent spots for geode hunting.

Workers often missed geodes while digging for other materials. Explore the tailings or leftover rock piles for hidden treasures.

Explore Hills and Rock Outcrops

Hills and rocky outcrops often reveal geodes. As erosion wears away the softer rock, it exposes the harder geodes.

Look for areas with exposed rocks and keep an eye out for rounded shapes.

The Best Places To Find Geodes in Hawaii

You might already know about the many great places to gem mines in Hawaii, so it may come as a surprise to you that geodes are incredibly hard to find here. Actually, there is no known location here where you can naturally find geodes.

The places we’ll recommend below contain some of the best rock and gem formations that are just as captivating as geodes. We also included places from New Mexico, one of the states nearest to Hawaii, where you can find naturally occurring geodes.

Olowalu Valley

Tucked away on the west side of Maui, Olowalu Valley is one of the most beautiful places in our state. It’s surrounded by lush green mountains, with a beautiful stream running through it.

There are plenty of rocks and boulders scattered around, some of which contain beautiful rocks and gems. The valley was formed by volcanic activity, which makes for some interesting rock formations.

Getting here was a bit of a trek— you have to take a bumpy dirt road for a few miles with a terrain that’s a bit rough and rocky. But before you soak in the beauty of this place and begin finding rocks and gems, checkout first the latest collecting guidelines of Hawaii.

Where we found geode-like formations

You can find interesting and highly sough-after Quartz crystals called “Maui Diamonds” when you explore the different parts of Olowalu Valley. Maui Diamonds are known for having a mesmerizing yellow fire smoldering inside it, and they are called as such because they can only be found in Maui.

DON'T MISS OUT ON ANY GREAT FINDS!

While you're out searching for Geodes you're going to find a lot of other interesting rocks and minerals along the way. The last thing you want to do is toss out something really interesting or valuable. It can be easy to misidentify things without a little guidance.

We've put together a fantastic field guide that makes identifying 140 of the most interesting and valuable rocks and minerals you will find REALLY EASY. It's simple to use, really durable, and will allow you to identify just about any rock and mineral you come across. Make sure you bring it along on your hunt!

West Molokai Volcano

West Molokai Volcano is located on the island of Molokai, which explains its incredible views. The geography of the area is pretty unique. Since the volcano is part of the larger Hawaiian volcanic chain, it’s made up of layers of lava flows that date back thousands of years. The terrain is rocky and rugged, which is perfect for outdoor activities, including rockhounding! In fact, it’s among the best places to find crystals in Hawaii.

The area also has some pretty cool formations to check out. You can see evidence of the volcano’s activity in the past, including lava tubes and pahoehoe (a type of lava flow). It’s definitely a great spot for any geology enthusiasts out there.

Getting here is a bit challenging, but not impossible. You can take a boat or plane to Molokai and then drive to the volcano. You can also rent a car so you can explore the island as well while you’re here.

Where we found geode-like formations

Visitors have reported finding Banded Agates in the gullies of Olomana Peak and also in the crater of West Molokai Volcano.

Manele Bay

Manele Bay is seriously one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see in our state (I mean, just look at its photo!). Located on the island of Lanai, it boasts of crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, and stunning rock formations.

The geography of Manele Bay is pretty unique: it’s nestled in a crescent-shaped bay that’s surrounded by towering cliffs. While it’s terrain is pretty sandy, the rock formations here are seriously impressive. You can see evidence of volcanic activity in the past, with towering lava cliffs and sea caves to explore.

To get here, you can take a ferry from Maui or a short flight from Honolulu. Once you’re on Lanai, the bay is just a short drive away.

Where we found geode-like formations

You can find the best samples of Sunstone in Hawaii in Manele Bay, particularly on its southeast shores.

Sapillo Creek

One the closest states to Hawaii, New Mexico has pretty great sites to find geodes. One of them is Sapillo Creek, located in the Gila National Forest. Surrounded by stunning cliffs and greenery, the creek winds through the forest, creating some seriously amazing waterfalls and swimming holes.

The terrain around the creek is pretty rough, with lots of rocky outcroppings and steep cliffs, but it’s still easy to get around if you’re careful. There are plenty of rock formations to check out around the cliffs, which are made up of layers of sediment, so you can really see the different layers that have built up over time.

There’s a road that runs alongside the creek, so you can just follow that until you find a good spot to park if you want to visit here. Just be careful if it’s been raining – the road can get pretty slick.

Where we found geodes in Sapillo Creek

Have you ever got your hands on Banded Agate geodes? If not yet, then visiting Sapillo Creek might just be your best chance! You can find them lying on the creek bed or on the creek’s gravels when you explore here.

Deming

We included here another great spot to find geodes in New Mexico, which is Deming. It’s located in the southern part of the state and has a pretty unique geography. It’s surrounded by low mountains and rolling hills, which makes for some seriously stunning views.

The terrain around Deming is flat and desert-like. In fact, there are plenty of cacti and other desert plants to check out here, too. There are also plenty of rock formations here, and you can really see how the desert landscape has been shaped over time.

Since it’s located right off the highway, getting here is easy. Overall, visiting Deming when you’re in New Mexico is super worth it!

Where we found geodes in Deming

You can find some of the most beautiful samples of Agate geodes and Quartz geodes in New Mexico if you go southwest 38 miles towards Hermanas, then west via fence gate and crooked rough road. These geodes usually lie on the well-known area nodule beds of Deming.

Common Hawaii Geode-Hunting Questions

We’ll answer some of the most common questions about rockhounds planning to find geodes in Hawaii, in case you have the same queries:

Where can you find amethyst geodes in Hawaii?

Unfortunately, amethyst geodes don’t naturally occur in Hawaii. However, our state has plenty of rock and gem shops where you can buy them— and more. You can even find other rocks and gems that might fascinate you just the same as geodes.

Is it illegal to collect geodes in Hawaii?

It is legal to collect geodes in Hawaii if you abide by the local collecting guidelines here. Also, checkout any additional rules and regulations specific to the kind of land you will explore, say for government or private lands. More often than not, they will require you to secure permits or obtain the owner’s permission.

The Best Places To Buy Geodes In Hawaii

If you really want to take home a geode from Hawaii, the only reliable way to do so is to visit the local rock and gem shops that sell them. Below is a list of some of the best ones that you can visit. What’s more is that they sell other amazing rocks and gems, so you have tons of choices when you get here:

• Where Crystals Rock – 98-025 Hekaha St #110, Aiea, HI 96701
• Amazon – Surprisingly, Amazon has some pretty great selection of geodes! They even have complete kits to help you crack them open.
• Lemuria Crystal Shop – 315 Uluniu St suite 101, Kailua, HI 96734
• Kailua Crystals – 131 Hekili St Ste 108, Kailua, HI 96734
• Rock Candy Hawaii – 1170 Auahi St SPACE 163, Honolulu, HI 96814
• Aloha Crystals and Gems – 75-5799 Ali‘i Dr B-6, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Additional places to find geodes in nearby states

Check out our guides for nearby states if you’ve already tried all of our suggestions above or if you’re planning a trip outside of the state:

• Geodes in Texas
• Geodes in New Mexico
• Geodes in Alaska

If you have any recommendations for our list please leave a comment below!