Arizona Rocks and Minerals

OakRocks is located in sunny Cave Creek, Arizona. Arizona is rich in rock and minerals. But even better-it is the home to the world's largest Gem and Mineral Show! Every year for 2-3 weeks, around the first of February, rock and mineral dealers and buyers from all over the world converge on the small town of Tucson. At last count there was something like 48 different rock and mineral show locations! You can find anything and everything lapidary related at these shows: rocks, minerals, gemstones, rough rock, jewelry, beads, fossils, and so much more!

Also in Arizona the entire month of January is the Quartzsite show. This is mostly an outdoor swap meet type show, but it too attracts dealers and buyers from all over the world.

The stone most recognized from Arizona is Turquoise. In fact it is the offcial state gemstone. Whether you are into rocks and minerals or not, you know what turquoise is. I'll bet next to the wedding band, silver and turquoise is the most popular piece of jewelry!

However, Arizona is not called the Copper State for nothing! Running through the state is a string of Copper Mines where beautiful copper rocks and minerals have been found. There is Chrysocolla-Malachite, Azurite-Malachite, Cuprite, Shattuckite, and many lesser known minerals.

Of course another well known mineral from Arizona is Petrified Wood. Northern Arizona is the home of the Petrified Wood Forest, a National Park since 1962. It is the most important Petrified Wood area. Some logs as long as 213 feet have been found!

Because of its inclement weather through most of the year (avoid those HOT summers!), Arizona is a great place for rockhounders. There are a host of Serpentines, Marbles, and Travertines to be found.

Other rocks and minerals found in the state include: pietersite, vanadinite, wulfenite, amethyst, quartz, jasper, dioptase, calcite, barite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, galena, fluorite, cerrusite, and even gold and silver!

We at OakRocks have been in the rock and mineral business in Arizona for 30 years. We have scoured the state and self-collected many materials. We are an expert on Arizona materials, especially Chrysocolla, as we held the collecting contract rights for the Bagdad Copper Mine for many years! We do the Tucson show under our wholesale business name-Barlow's. We do not have a storefront, but you might be able to visit by appointment-just give us a call!

Click here to see some of the great materials that come from Arizona!