Mt Somers agate sites, Mount Somers, Ashburton District, Canterbury Region, New Zealandi

Regional Level Types
Mt Somers agate sites	Mountain
Mount Somers	Mountain
Ashburton District	District
Canterbury Region	Region
New Zealand	Country

Top quality agate nodules have been found in relative abundance across the summit areas of Mount Somers, upper reaches of Woolshed, Boundary and Cave creeks, and lower surrounding farmland.

Most is on private property, or part of the Mount Somers Conservation Reserve, where collecting is now banned. Material however is regularly available for sale.

Agate is found in the upper parts of Mount Somers, with nodules poking through soil in tussock grass areas. Much of it is fractured and second rate, however impressive specimens have been located. The best material is often cannon ball sized or less, reducing the risk of flaws. Large spectacular agates over 50 kg have been found in the area. The majority of agates are grey-blue in colour, with green moss dendrites. However pictures online show also tan, white, grey, green, yellow, black, blue, often intricately marked, some polygonal banded, seam banded, and nodular. Uncommon amethyst geodes have been known. If left in the sun, cut plain agates can develop some slight polygonal banding. A local collector notes a seam was located with unique agate which was given the name 'Fruit Salad Agate', however the location has been lost.

The locally called Mount Somers Paddock Agates is found at lower levels on farmland, often after the fields have been ploughed. These often have crystalline centres, colours ranging from grey-blue, to dark grey, with an orange rind, and some amethyst and citrine quartz.

Allan's Slip Agates, a local name based on local collector Alan Wells, are agates from a small slip on Mount Somers pastoral station. Most are very small, and require tumbling. The colours are black and white. Some contain water bubbles, but they dry out.

Hettie's Slip Agates is again a local named based on local collector, and rock shop owner Hettie Wells, who literally fell over the agates, while on a field collecting trip. A pine plantation has been planted over the site, and the agates are now un-obtainable. They come in black, grey, yellow and earthy tones, the slip being close also to coal measures.

Mindat map marks the Mount Somers geographic hill.

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