How to Find Superior Agates

Dress in sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and wear warm layers of clothing.
Searching for Superior agate involves walking, climbing, stooping, and bending in a climate that can be chilly even on sunny days.
Wearing layers allows you to remove garments if you get too warm.

Bring a bag to put rock specimens in.
Visit beaches along Lake Superior early on sunny mornings or late in the afternoon.
Look along the shoreline early in the spring when the ice is melting and new rocks are deposited in the shallow water near the shore or after a storm when new rocks wash ashore.
Squat low to the ground looking into the sun so you can see the translucent glow that distinguishes Superior agate from other rocks.
Wear gloves to protect your hands when handling rocks. Use the same technique on the edges of inland rivers and in creek beds.

Seek permission to look in mines and gravel pits for Superior agate.
Shine a flashlight on rocks to find the soft glow and banding patterns that identify Superior agates.
Spray rocks with water to bring out the colors and patterns. You usually can find more specimens in gravel pits after a windstorm.

Lift pitted rocks of the same size that have a surface similar to potato skin.
Superior agate is heavier than most other rocks.
Scratch the glossy, waxy area on the chipped surface of a rock with a knife blade. Superior agate is too hard to scratch.

Some Superior agates have been found along railroad tracks and alongside roads in construction areas.
Look for rust-red or yellow stains, banding patterns, and broken rocks with a smooth natural surface.

Visit rock shops and museums that line Lake Superior.
Most of them offer classes, rock collecting guides, tours, and maps that lead you to Superior agates.
They also may have many specimens for sale if your search is not successful.

Scuba dive in Lake Superior to look for Superior agate on sand bars.
Visit the states Lake Superior was distributed in, including Upper Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa.