Oregon has many beautiful and valuable natural wonders, but jade is one of the most important ones. You can find this stone, which is known for its beautiful shades of green, in many places across the state.
Because of the state’s unique geological landscape with many mineral sources and rich rivers, it’s a great place for rock and jade hunters. People love this stone for more than just its beauty; it also has cultural meaning. Native American groups and other cultures have valued it for hundreds of years.
If you’re looking for jade in Oregon, this article tells you where to find it, how to spot it, and what the law says about collecting it.
No matter how experienced you are with collecting rocks or how curious you are about them, our complete guide will help you find this beautiful stone in the state’s beautiful scenery.
What Is Oregon Jade Anyway?
Some gemstones, like jade, come in different colors besides the beautiful green color that it’s known for. These colors include white, orange, and purple. Two different kinds of jade exist: nephrite and jadeite.
Nephrite is usually a buttery green color and is very hard, which makes it great for cutting. In contrast, jadeite comes in a lot of different colors and is even harder and less common than nephrite.
Thousands of years ago, people loved jade and used it to make art, tools, and jewelry.
Jade is formed deep inside the Earth when there is a lot of pressure and a low temperature. This happens most often where the Earth’s rock is being pushed together, like in mountain ranges.
Most of the time, nephrite jade is found in rocks that have been changed by heat and pressure. On the other hand, jadeite is found in rocks that were formed when the Earth’s crust melted.
Gemstones like jade can be also found in riverbeds because rivers can carry small pieces of the stone to different places.
The places in the world where jade is found also affect its value. Geological and cultural values of the stone can help you figure out how much jade is worth.
You can get a better idea of what jade looks like from our article. This will help you narrow down your search and know what to look for.
The Types Of Jade Found In Oregon
Jade has many colors, sizes, and names in Oregon because there are many kinds of rocks there. Below the surface of the state, you can find the following kinds of jade:
- Jadeite
- Nephrite
- The deep experience and understanding of our team about the area
- Recommendations from local groups and clubs
- How easy it is to get the a particular location
- Safety and potential hazards when collecting
- Weighing private and public locations
- The ability for both experienced and novice mineral enthusiasts to find great samples
With these factors in mind we’ve been able to put together a fantastic list that just about anyone can use!
The Best Places To Find Jade In Oregon
These places are some of the best locations to look for jade in this state. There are several spots to find gems in Oregon, but only a few are good for looking for jade. Not many people know about some places, but there are often great chances to search.
Always Confirm Access and Collection Rules!
Before heading out to any of the locations on our list you need to confirm access requirements and collection rules for both public and private locations directly with the location. We haven’t personally verified every location and the access requirements and collection rules often change without notice.
Many of the locations we mention will not allow collecting but are still great places for those who love to find beautiful rocks and minerals in the wild without keeping them. We also can’t guarantee you will find anything in these locations since they are constantly changing.
Always get updated information directly from the source ahead of time to ensure responsible rockhounding. If you want even more current options it’s always a good idea to contact local rock and mineral clubs and groups
Applegate River
The Applegate River is a secret gem for people who like the outdoors and want to find interesting things. This river flows through the beautiful scenery of southwestern Oregon for more than 50 miles.
People love to fish, kayak, and camp there because the water is clear and quiet, and the area is very green. But the best thing about the Applegate River is that you can find jade there.
Most of the jade in the Applegate River area is nephrite, which has a deep green color and is strong and long-lasting.
Over time, jade is washed down from the higher mountain places into the river. The water then smooths these jade stones, giving them a one-of-a-kind, shiny look.
There are just the right conditions in the nearby mountains for jade to form. The river cuts through these mountains, which is how the jade ends up in the stream.
Where we found jade at the Applegate River
Jade is usually found in the riverbed or along the riverbanks of Applegate River. This is why rock hunters and gem lovers often come to this area to look for these secret gems in the gravel and along the water.
The tools every geode hunter will need
When you're out looking for geodes having the right tools for the job is very important. You don't need a lot for most trips but there are a handful that are critical and will make your life a lot easier.
We get asked a lot about the equipment we use. Over the years we've found a handful of tools that we recommend to both new and experienced geode hunters which we outline in great detail in our complete rockhounding tools and kit guide. These are quality options that also happen to be relatively inexpensive.
Below are the basic tools that make your life so much easier and save you a ton of time. Check out the full guide to see everything we recommend bringing. One quick note, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but we try very hard to only recommend gear we would use ourselves and often recommend brands you can't find on Amazon.
At a minimum you should have:
1 - Sturdy rock hammer: The Estwing Rock Pick is our standard
2 - Rugged chisels: Try Kendo' 3-piece Chisel Set
3 - Compact shovel: The Koleiya 28-inch shovel works well
4 - Rock screen pan: The Wazakura Soil Sieve Set fits the bill
5 - Eye protection: DeWalt Safety Glasses are cheap and comfortable
6 - Head protection: Malta's Safety Helmet has been our go-to
7 - Jewelers lens with at least 20x magnification: Jarlink's Jewelers Loop is perfect
The geode-finding books that we use most
There are also a few books that have been extremely helpful in the search for gems. These books have great recommendations and tips:
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals: North America
Northwest Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guide
Earth Treasures: The Northwestern Quadrant
We provide links to find these tools on Amazon but some can also be found at your local hardware stores. For more recommendations check out the link to our full tool guide above.
Curry County
Curry County is a beautiful place with beautiful beaches and thick woods. In the southwestern part of Oregon, this area has cute little towns and beautiful natural beauty, such as the Oregon Coast Trail.
One fun thing about Curry County is that it’s a great spot to find jade. People who like to beachcomb and collect rocks often search the beaches of Curry County for these green gems, especially after storms.
Because of its unique bedrock, Curry County is a great place to look for jade. The area has a history of volcanic action and changes in the earth’s surface, which makes it a great place for nephrite jade to form.
Where we found jade at Curry County
When it rains a lot or during storms, you can find jade on the beaches and in the rivers in Curry County.
Davis Creek
Davis Creek is a paradise for nature lovers, loved for its peaceful beauty and exciting prize hunting chances. It’s in the state’s southeast, tucked between rough mountains and thick woods.
People like to fish and hike in this creek, but it’s also a popular place to find jade, a beautiful and valuable rock. The rocks that make up Davis Creek make it a great place to look for jade.
Over time, natural processes like weathering help the jade fall off these rocks and into the creek. Rock hunters and gem fans often go to Davis Creek to look for these hidden green gems.
You just need to be patient and have a good eye. Besides the thrill of finding something new, they get to enjoy the peace and beauty of this unique Oregon spot.
Where we found jade at Davis Creek
The best places to look for jade here are along the creek’s banks and in the creek bed itself.
Shirttail Creek
Shirttail Creek is a great place for nature fans and people who like to go on adventures. This creek is hidden in the northwest of the state. It’s a tranquil place to escape from it all because of the dense woods and rolling hills surrounding it.
Along with its natural beauty, Shirttail Creek is a secret gem for people who want to find jade, a beautiful and valuable stone.
Because of its geological traits, Shirttail Creek is a great place to find jade. Nephrite jade can form in this area because it has the right mix of minerals and weather factors.
Where we found jade at Shirttail Creek
In the area around Shirttail Creek, jade can mostly be found along the creek’s edges and within its waters.
Umpqua River
The Umpqua River in Oregon is a lovely and lively river that flows through the state’s beautiful scenery for 110 miles.
People like to fish, boat, and watch wildlife along this river because it flows through a variety of landscapes, from dense forests to open valleys.
But the Umpqua River is also unique because it’s a great spot to find jade, a priceless stone that people have loved for hundreds of years.
Because of its geological past, the Umpqua River is a great place to look for jade. Nephrite jade can form in the rocks nearby because the conditions are just right.
The river naturally brings jade down into the riverbank as it wears away at these mountains.
This is why rock and gem collectors love going to the Umpqua River: they can look around and maybe find their piece of Oregon’s natural treasure while taking in the amazing beauty of the river and its surroundings.
Where we found jade at the Umpqua River
You can look in areas where the water slows down, such as bends in the river, as these locations can be natural collecting points for heavier stones, including jade.
Other Great Places To Find Oregon Jade
We will discuss the other places on our list besides our top picks—the other places we found are listed below, with the areas for each one broken down.
Our recommendations by county
| County | Location |
| Baker | Oregon Jade Mine |
| Wasco | Antelope general area |
Common Jade-Hunting Questions
If someone wants to know where in the state they can find jade, they often ask the following:
Is it illegal to collect jade in Oregon?
In Oregon, collecting jade or other rocks and minerals for personal, non-commercial use is generally allowed, but some specific regulations and guidelines must be followed. These rules can vary depending on the location and the type of land.
People who collect rocks and minerals as a hobby can usually do small amounts of rockhounding without a permit on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands and in national parks.
There are, however, limits to how much you can gather, and these shouldn’t be used for business. It’s important to find out the exact rules for the place you want to visit, since rules can be different there.
The Best Places To Buy Jade In Oregon
Some people believe that finding jade is hard and dirty job to do. If you don’t want to go down that route, there’s a different way to find them!
Here are some of our favorite rock shops in the area. A lot of different kinds of jade can be bought and found there.
- Dragon Crystals – 107 W 1st St, Phoenix, OR 97535, United States
- Ed’s House of Gems – 7712 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213, United States
- LivingStone Rocks – 1220 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214, United States
- Portland Rocks – 6658 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland, OR 97202, United States
- Rooster’s Rocks – 3101 SE Ferry Slip Rd #233, Newport, OR 97365, United States
