Jade Cove
Approximate — check official site before visiting
Public tidelands along the Big Sur coast where nephrite jade erodes from Franciscan Complex serpentinite cliffs and is tumbled by wave action. Collecting is legal below the mean high tide line only. Best collecting windows follow major winter storms (November-March). Nephrite is 6-6.5 Mohs, dark green to black, confirmed by steel knife scratch test.
🪨 What You Can Find Here
Serpentinite
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
Actinolite
Green amphibole mineral found in metamorphic rocks. Alabama's Piedmont region produces actinolite specimens in association with other minerals.
Also found at:
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⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Jade Cove with the right equipment.
Rock Hammer
The most essential rockhounding tool. Choose a hammer with both a flat striking face and a pointed pick end.
Typical: $25-45
Safety Glasses
Mandatory protective gear. Rock chips fly unpredictably when hammering.
Typical: $10-20
Chisel Set
Cold chisels in 3-4 sizes for precise extraction from matrix rock.
Typical: $15-30
Geologist's Pick
A heavier crack hammer for splitting hard rock. Essential for hard rock mining areas.
Typical: $35-60
Sifting Screen
Stackable mesh screens for sifting gravel and dirt. Essential for gem and fossil hunting.
Typical: $20-40
UV Flashlight
Long-wave UV light for finding fluorescent minerals and Yooperlites.
Typical: $15-35