Idaho offers a variety of semi-precious and precious minerals for rockhounders to discover, including the highly sought-after zircon mineral. This mineral is used in jewelry making, steel, and glass production due to its hardness. Those searching for zircon in southern Idaho should be prepared for extreme heat and take necessary supplies such as sun shades, bottled water, and sunscreen.
Zircon Locations in Idaho
The Owyhee Desert, which spans multiple states and is about a two-hour drive west from cities like Twin Falls, is one of the closest locations to the Magic Valley where zircon can be found. However, the mineral is mainly present in microscopic amounts outside remote communities such as Oreana. Rockhounders may have better luck finding zircon in larger amounts in central and northern Idaho.
Original reporting: 580 KIDO Talk Radio (Boise) — read the source article.
