Where to look · 3 min read
Reading a creek or beach: where the good stones hide
Find where water drops heavy stones
Search the heads of gravel bars (the upstream end) and inside bends of creeks and rivers, where heavier stones settle first.
Go at the right time
Right after rain, floods, high water or winter storms, when fresh gravel is exposed. On the coast, go at low tide. Early morning dew makes stones show their color.
Walk toward the sun
With the sun in front of you, translucent stones like agate light up while ordinary rocks stay dark.
Scan for what's different
Look for a color, shine or shape that doesn't match the rest. Check just under the top layer: the best stones often sit right below the surface.
Tap it where it lies
Tap anything interesting in Rarestone before you pick it up, then use the check it suggests to confirm.
- Plowed fields and gravel pits in rock-rich areas can be great too, but only with the owner's permission.
- Check tide times and stay back from cliffs and road cuts.
Photos: Brookings Sea Glass by Brett Murphy by OregonDOT, CC BY 2.0. General information only: rules, safety and values vary, so check locally and ask an expert when it matters.