Gold isn’t the only mineral that people are looking for. There are countless other gems and minerals that you can still go out and look for today. Some of them are even quite valuable!
The Stillwater Platinum Mine is a mine specialized in the production of the group of minerals known as Platinum Group Metals (PGMs). The most well-known and valuable of these metals is the brilliant silvery metal known as platinum. The mine is located in the Beartooth Mountains, which is about 100 miles southwest of Billings, Montana. […]
I was at the Quartzsite Mineral Show this past winter and met a guy that was selling hundreds of natural copper nuggets and specimens. Most of the pieces ranged from a few ounces up to several pounds. He was getting a handsome price for them too, and they were clearly selling quite well. Honestly I […]
The beautiful mineral commonly referred to as the “desert rose” can be found scattered across much of the world. In Africa, desert rose rock may be found in parts of Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, and Namibia. In Asia, it occurs naturally in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. In Europe, Spain contains deposits […]
The vast desert of Southern California offers some top-notch rock collecting opportunities. Here are 22 of the known rockhounding sites. Keep in mind that land status changes. Always make sure you are in an area that you can legally collect. Make sure you have a good map before you venture out. I also recommend picking […]
Arizona was a very different place millions of years ago. What is now dry, desolate desert was often covered in lush forests and wetlands. You wouldn’t know it, if not for some remnants of the past that are still present to this day. Petrified wood can be found throughout parts of the Arizona desert. In […]
It should be noted that Nevada is the most remote state in the country. There is a lot of big, open land out there. This is good for the fossil hunter because there are an abundance of fossils left to find. It is still worth noting that you may very well be the only person […]
Even though Florida has many rivers, the Peace River in the southwestern part of the state has gained extra popularity in fossil hunters due to the abundance of quality specimens that can be recovered. This river has the fine species of camel, mastodon, shark teeth, mouth plates and plenty more. Many fossil hunters use kayaks and canoes while others simply wade in the water use a shovel or a trowel. For […]
Fossils are abundant in Oregon. From the Coastal Range (which was once under the Pacific Ocean) to the high desert of Central and Eastern Oregon (much of which was a lush jungle and dotted with ancient lakes), there are countless areas to explore. This article highlights a few of the more popular and productive places […]
Agates are semi-precious gemstones found throughout most of the world. The Pacific Northwest is one place that has an abundance of them, particularly along the beach. They come in different shapes, color, banding, and opacity, and are typically the most beautiful and prized out of all the beautiful stones found on a beach. Agates naturally […]
Detecting meteorites involve using your metal detector to search for extraterrestrial objects the fall from the outer space and reach the earth surface. Meteorites are basically fragments of comets and asteroids that enter the earth atmosphere and survive to reach the ground. People have occasionally stumbled upon meteorites by chance, but if you want to […]
The love for rocks, minerals, fossils, and precious stones has made rockhounding a popular hobby in New England. The different states in New England include Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Each of these states has distinguishing geology that will be of interest to rockhounds. Equipment You need to make necessary […]
Rock Tumbling is a technique used to smooth and polish the rough surfaces of small rocks to make them beautiful and attractive so that they can be used in jewelry and other decorative functions in homes. Rock tumbling works on the same principle as barreling in metal work. Its main goal is to make rocks […]
Arkansas is one of the places in the world where you can find both diamond and quartz crystals. In fact, Arkansas is the only state in the USA with a commercial diamond mine. However, it’s very different than most mines because the general public is allowed to keep the diamonds that they find! More on […]
Washington was a hotbed of volcanic activity in the Cascade Mountains not so long ago. While this is an interesting bit of geology for just about anyone, it has particular importance for rockhounds seeking gemstones and fossils. Volcanic activity quite often seeds an amazing amount of material which is good for collecting, cutting, and anything […]
While most of us, barring those who live in the state, might not think about Utah as a rockhound paradise. If you’re looking to visit a state with a diverse amount of minerals there are only a few that even compare to the glorious amount of crystals, fossils, and stones you’ll be able to pull […]
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