Where to Look for Agates on Lake Superior
Agates are beautiful and special stones found in a variety of lakes and rivers. They often get overlooked because they are hard to spot when they are submerged beneath the water and sand, but they are worth seeking out. Lake Superior is particularly known for its agates, which can be found on its beaches, riverbeds and even underwater.
What Agates Look Like
Agates come in a range of shapes, sizes and colors. They can be smooth and round, or more jagged. Many agates in Lake Superior are brown and white, but they can also be found in shades of blues, greens, reds and yellow. There are even rare agates with a hint of purple or pink. Sometimes an agate will have bands or lines of color that swirl around it.
Underwater Agates
Agates underwater are even harder to spot than those on the beach. Most agates are heavy, sinking to the bottom of the lake and amid the rocks and sand. Standing in the cold water, wearing goggles and a snorkel can help to spot the colorful stones. The trick is to constantly scan the lake floor, which may be littered with shells, sand and stones. Agates’ unique shapes and colors will help you distinguish them from other bits of debris.
Collecting Agates
Once an agate is seen and scooped up, it should be placed in a secure container right away. This helps to avoid any possible damage to the stone, which can cause its beauty to eventually disappear. There are people who specialize in collecting and displaying these incredible gems, and a properly cared for agate can be a centerpiece in any collection.
Where to Find Agates
Agates can be found along the shores of Lake Superior, but also in the near-shore waters. Popular agate beaches can be found near Thunder Bay and Split Rock, Ontario. Another good foraging spot is along the south shore, on Lake Superior’s north shore east of Grand Marais, Minnesota. The Lake of the Woods, along the Canada-US border is also a significant place for finding these stones.
Organized Events
Several beaches host organized agate shindigs for rock-loving enthusiasts, such as the Burlington Bay Beach Rock Dig and the Minnesota Agate Festival in Grand Marais. Even if you’re not part of an organized event, many beaches are open to the public and rockhounds can freely go explore and hunt for agates.
Visiting Beach Agate Hunting Locations
Before packing up a bag and heading to the beach, it’s important to know a few guidelines when it comes to beach agate hunting. The first and foremost rule is to only take what is needed, leaving the stones and shells that are still in the lake bed. The second is to clean the beach of any debris one finds, helping the local environment and keeping beaches clean for others to enjoy.
Awareness is Key When Choosing an Agate
Although it can be exciting to find an agate, it’s important to take extra care when deciding which one to take home. Some may have attachments or objects in them due diligence must be taken to make sure that they don’t contain any protected or endangered species. Locally found agates are part of a special natural heritage and they bring joy that defies explanation.
Caring for Agates
At home, agates should be washed and dried with a soft cloth. They should be kept safe in a cloth or paper bag, away from items that can damage it such as jewelry. To prevent chipping or cracking, it is best to avoid dropping or hitting the agates on hard surfaces.
Using the Right Tools
Agates will usually have layers or indentations, so a magnifying glass or loupe can be used to examine each stone closely before bringing it home. A shovel, trowel, pick or hammer can also be used to search through rock beds or washed up pebbles.
Agate Mining Centers on the Shorelines
Lake Superior boasts more than 20 agate miining centers within the shorelines It is recommended by experts to visit these centers because the collectible fragments in them are worth exploring. For example, the Nipigon River Agate Mine center in Ontario is known for having high-quality agates, as it is set in an area of old volcanic flows.
Purchasing Agates
If rock hunting isn’t your thing, there are plenty of ways to get high-quality Lake Superior agates without going search for them. There are numerous online platforms and retail locations that sell genuine agates from the lake. Be sure to purchase from a trusted website or store to ensure quality.
Cleaning and Polishing Agates
For those who wish to showcase their found agates, cleaning and polishing them is the way to go. There are several methods for cleaning and polishing agates, so be sure to do research and follow the recommended cleaning and polishing process before beginning.
Best Locations for Agate Collecting in Lake Superior
Each beach in Lake Superior holds unique characteristics, making it the ideal destination for agate-collecting. Several beaches are known to have an abundance of these stones and are home to vast amounts of agates, such as Eagle Harbor and Rockefeller Beach in Wisconsin, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and Barclay Lake in Minnesota.
Equipment Needed
Agate collecting is a fun and engaging activity that requires little more than a beach bag, sun protection, shoes and some basic tools. The right tools to get started are a hammer, a trowel and a pair of protective gloves.
Safety Tips
When it comes to collecting agates, it’s very important to practice safety. Make sure to always swim with a buddy, wear life jackets and sturdy shoes due to the sharp or slippery rocks. Also, remember to be mindful of the tide when hunting for these exquisite stones.
