Explore / South America / Andes
Andes, Coquimbo Region
Combarbala
Combarbalita stone workshops, Coquimbo
Mineral locality Documented sitePermission required
What you could find
Reported finds from this ground.
Agates and jasperAlso reported: combarbalita rough and carvings (purchases, workshop offcuts).
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Teerui (Public domain).
Why this spot
Rockhounding locality: home of combarbalita, a banded pink-and-cream silicified volcanic stone declared Chile's national stone, carved here since colonial times
Wikipedia confirms the town's artisan industry working the local stone; quarry sources are small private claims in the surrounding hills
Before you go
Hazards noted for this site.
Dry mountain roads, summer heat
workshop dust if you linger over the saws
Keep exploring nearby
More spots in this area.