San Rafael Celestite
Utah
Find: Orange botryoidal jasper/celestine nodules, geodes
GPS: Spot #1: 38.86517, -110.43004
Spot #2: 38.84995, -110.40318
Nearest city: Moab, UT
Recommended Vehicle: 4x4 with high clearance
Season: Accessible year-round, I visited in Winter and didn’t encounter snow. Summer is likely exceptionally hot and dry.
Summary:
The San Rafael Swell is a geologic region of central Utah with views that you’d almost expect from a National Park. If you’ve ever been to a rock shop, you may recall seeing vibrant blue geodes of celestine from Madagascar. That same mineral can be found here, but as a white crystal center to the orange bubbly nodules. The orange “shell” is a botryoidal (bubbly) orange jasper. There are some wild colors in these, everywhere you look has something a little different.
For this location, there are 2 different sets of coordinates listed. You will want 4x4 with some decent clearance when navigating out here.
Be mindful of mineral claims while exploring this region. Both of the listed sets of coordinates are outside any current claims, but this can change over time.
Luckily, these strange orange nodules can be found for many, many miles all over the San Rafael Swell. It’s a beautiful place to relax for a day or two.
3 Helpful Tools
Water Bladder
I like to bring a 3L water bladder anywhere where I expect to be hiking long distances. Utah is especially arid compared to other places and a water bladder makes life easier.
Spray Bottle
A spray bottle is great for getting a better look underneath the dusty dirt that can pack into the textured nodules out here.
Flat Chisel
A 1” wide x 12” long flat chisel is good for making a clean break on the nodules when paired with a 3-4lb hammer.
The San Rafael Swell.
The appearance is similar to what you see in the Badlands of South Dakota. I'm not a geologist, but I would assume their history is vastly different.
Once you find a spot to park, start walking and you'll begin seeing hotspots with all these orange pieces embedded into the ground.
Some of those pieces get big!
Here is a nodule that's already been broken open and celestine crystal is visible inside.
An example of a large nodule with some purple alongside a small one with a botryoidal, outer shell.
This could make for some interesting lapidary material, but you'll have to be selective to find pieces without fractures. Many have quite a few cracks in them.
Some refer to this material as "Utah grape agate" because of the outer texture.