Fire Agate is a stunning gemstone admired for its vivid iridescence and play of color. In the United States, it is found only in the desert regions of Arizona, California, and New Mexico.

In Arizona, several public rockhounding areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management are open to collectors. Notable sites include the Black Hills Rockhound Area and Round Mountain.

Northern and central Mexico also host rich deposits of this rare gem. Its striking beauty and scarcity make it a favorite among rock collectors and lapidary artists.

Undestanding Fire Agate: Formation, Location, & Lapidary Uses

Fire Agate Collecting Tips

Fire Agate hunting in the desert regions of the U.S. is best during the cooler months (fall through spring), as summer temperatures can be extreme.

Fire Agate typically forms as a coating on chalcedony nodules or within cavities in volcanic rock. Focus your search on areas with exposed basalt or rhyolite, especially where erosion has brought stones to the surface.

Tips for Identifying Fire Agate in the Field:

Check the Surface Texture: Fire Agate often has a botryoidal (grape-like) surface texture, which helps distinguish it from smoother chalcedony types.
Observe Color: Look for brown and reddish chalcedony. Moisten the surface to see any hidden iridescence.
Check Iridescence: Raw Fire Agate may not initially show vibrant colors. Hold specimens up to sunlight or wet them slightly to reveal their signature play of color.

Where to Find Fire Agate? - Free and Fee Collecting Sites

The Bureau of Land Management has designated two areas in Arizona—Black Hills and Round Mountain—as official BLM Rockhound Areas open to the public.

Some Fire Agate deposits are located on private mining claims, where collecting is generally not permitted. However, a few sites—such as Opal Hill in California and the Cuesta Fire Agate Mine in Arizona—offer pay-to-dig opportunities. Be sure to contact mine owners in advance to confirm access, hours, and current policies.

Black Hills Rockhound Area

Located between Safford and Clifton, this easily accessible site is open to the public for rock collecting without permits and free of charge. Collecting methods include surface collecting, digging, and screening. Free camping on BLM land is permitted for up to 14 days.

Round Mountain Rockhound Area

Situated near the Arizona–New Mexico border, about 20 miles from the town of Duncan, this site offers a remote desert rockhounding experience. A high-clearance 4WD vehicle is required. Visitors can collect using surface methods, digging, or screening. Camping is allowed for up to two weeks on BLM land.