Start Rock Collecting
A starter list for a lifelong hobby.
Mineral Collecting at Contact Zones
For mineral opportunities, be aware of contact zones.
For mineral opportunities, be aware of contact zones.
Before You Buy a Rock Collection
Advice on what to look for in those 'candy boxes' full of little rocks.
Advice on what to look for in those 'candy boxes' full of little rocks.
Before You Buy Handheld Magnifiers
Next to a rock hammer, your best friend in the field is a powerful lens for close-ups.
Next to a rock hammer, your best friend in the field is a powerful lens for close-ups.
Rock Hammers
The hammers that geologists and rockhounds use.
The hammers that geologists and rockhounds use.
Rock Identification Tables
These tables will help you identify almost any rock you're likely to find.
These tables will help you identify almost any rock you're likely to find.
Poison Plants
Geologists and rockhounds alike need to be aware of these hazardous plants in the field.
Geologists and rockhounds alike need to be aware of these hazardous plants in the field.
The Acid Test
An easy chemical test to do in the field or at home.
An easy chemical test to do in the field or at home.
Geodes
A photo gallery of some typical specimens.
A photo gallery of some typical specimens.
Pet Rocks and Favorite Stones
The stones we can't put away.
The stones we can't put away.
Storing Rocks
Simple ways to keep your rocks organized and clean.
Simple ways to keep your rocks organized and clean.
Rockhounding Arkansas
More than just a guide to Arkansas, this is a splendid introduction to rockhounding, lovingly prepared by Mike and Darcy Howard.
More than just a guide to Arkansas, this is a splendid introduction to rockhounding, lovingly prepared by Mike and Darcy Howard.
Leaverites: Oddball Rock Features
Steven Dutch of the University of Wisconsin has a handy set of photos showing what to focus on and what to ignore.
Steven Dutch of the University of Wisconsin has a handy set of photos showing what to focus on and what to ignore.
Physical Characteristics of Minerals
The Mineral Gallery presents what amounts to a whole course on identifying minerals from their hardness, crystal form, streak, and so on.
The Mineral Gallery presents what amounts to a whole course on identifying minerals from their hardness, crystal form, streak, and so on.
Bob's Rock Shop
Find lots of articles about collecting in this table of contents.
Find lots of articles about collecting in this table of contents.
Photographing Minerals
"A Photographer's Guide to Taking Mineral Specimen Photographs" has thorough advice for photographers both professional and aspiring from The Mineralogical Record.
"A Photographer's Guide to Taking Mineral Specimen Photographs" has thorough advice for photographers both professional and aspiring from The Mineralogical Record.
Rock Club Web Sites in the U.S. and Canada
This list is maintained by a Canadian group and sticks strictly to Web sites.
This list is maintained by a Canadian group and sticks strictly to Web sites.
American Rock and Mineral Clubs
A huge list from Bob's Rock Shop, organized by state.
A huge list from Bob's Rock Shop, organized by state.
Clubs Around the World
Lapidary Journal maintains a large list of addresses from Argentina to Zimbabwe.
Lapidary Journal maintains a large list of addresses from Argentina to Zimbabwe.