{"product_id":"oregon-thunderegg-ref-0174","title":"Oregon Thunderegg Ref: 0174","description":"\u003cp\u003eOregon designated the thunderegg as its official state rock in 1965. Geologically known as \u003cem\u003elithophysae\u003c\/em\u003e, thundereggs are spherical, nodule-like stones found in rhyolitic volcanic ash and lava flows. While they look rough and nondescript on the outside, cutting and polishing them reveals intricate interiors filled with agate, jasper, and opal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🏛️ History \u0026amp; Legend\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Central Oregon folklore, the name \"thunderegg\" originates from a legend of the Warm Springs Native Americans. The local tribes supposedly believed the nodules were missiles thrown by angry \"Thunder Spirits\" or gods living on Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood during violent thunderstorms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🗺️ Where They Are Found\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOregon is widely considered one of the best places in the world to find thundereggs. The largest deposits are concentrated in the high desert of Central and Eastern Oregon, primarily in the following counties:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrook\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJefferson\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMalheur\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWasco\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWheeler\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFamous digging sites include Pony Butte, the Priday Agate Beds (historically located near Madras), and areas near Succor Creek.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🔬 Mineralogical Properties\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eProperty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGeological Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLithophysae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHost Rock\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRhyolitic volcanic ash \u0026amp; lava flows\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInterior Fill\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAgate, jasper, and\/or opal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExterior\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRough, knobby, or star-shaped nodule\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSize Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eQuarter-inch to over five feet across\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eState Rock\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOregon State Rock (designated 1965)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e⛏️ How to Find \u0026amp; Dig Them\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTool Kit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Digging for thundereggs requires a small rock pick, a chisel, gloves, and buckets to carry your finds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpotting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Look for spherical, potato-shaped rocks with a rough, knobby, or star-shaped exterior.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrivate Ranches:\u003c\/strong\u003e Many rockhounds visit commercial rock ranches (such as the well-known Richardson's Rock Ranch in Madras) where visitors can dig for a fee and use on-site lapidary saws to cut their treasures open.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublic Lands:\u003c\/strong\u003e You can also search on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands, such as the Succor Creek State Natural Area, though regulations and limits may apply.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🤯 Fun Facts\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThundereggs can range in size from a quarter-inch to as large as five feet across.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe world's largest thunderegg, weighing 1.75 tons, is housed at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Hillsboro, Oregon.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOregon officially designated the thunderegg as its state rock in 1965 — a testament to their cultural and geological significance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRef: 0174 (For my use only)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KiwiRocks And Gems From Kiwi Country","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48358554206400,"sku":"0174","price":30.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0756\/6003\/4240\/files\/P_20260603_011538.jpg?v=1780484499","url":"https:\/\/kiwi-collects.myshopify.com\/products\/oregon-thunderegg-ref-0174","provider":"KiwiRocks And Gems From Kiwi Country","version":"1.0","type":"link"}