Complete guide for
'Rockhounds' @ Jewel Info 4 U
By:Ritika
Summary: Here is a bird's eye
view on the ever-popular hobbies of
the Americans - Rock hounding. The
aim of this article has been to
throw light on the various important
aspects of rock hounding like the
seasons and time that are best
suitable for rock hounding, cost,
tools and equipments required for
rock hounding, a peek into the
history of rock hounding and last
but definitely not the least, some
of the major regional attractions
for rock hounding. We aim at
providing our readers a set of
guidelines for safe, legal and
responsible rock hounding. The tips
provided here may be greatly helpful
for our rock hounders to ensure they
have successful outings.
OVERVIEW
 As you all may be aware,
Rockhounding refers to the
fascinating treasure hunt and
recreational collecting of rocks and
or minerals from their natural
environment. Rock hounding can be
your greatest excuse for playing
with nature in a harmless manner.
There are several ways that one can
resort to rock hounding. Some
collectors go in search of certain
types rocks like volcanic rocks or
meteorites. Others collect fossils
or mineral specimens. There is also
gold planning or prospecting of
gold. Apart from gold minerals, gems
and precious and semi-precious
stones are all hot pursuits of rock
hounders.
If we trace the early history or
rockhounding, we find that some of
the early rockhounders were
prospectors who were on the search
for precious minerals and gemstones
that can be used commercially.
However, as time passed, more and
more people have taken to rock
hounding as a recreational pass-time
as they have been inspired greatly
by the beauty that the rocks and
minerals provide.
Whether you are an experienced and
trained rockhound or prospector,
there can be no doubt that loads of
fun, adventure and may be various
hidden treasures are in store for
you. However, prior to embarking
upon such adventures, it is
important that you are equipped with
the right information and
accessories. Learning a lot about
petrology, the study that would help
you gain knowledge of the various
rock forms and the conditions on
which they form, would be of immense
help to any rock hound. Apart from
petrology, an in-depth knowledge of
geology would also be of immense
value in rock hounding.
Much of world's famous rock hounding
takes place in the United States,
especially in cities like Alaska,
Arizona, California, Colorado,
Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana,
Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico,
Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota,
Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Most of these states have an
abundance of minerals, precious and
semi-precious stones in their
mountains.
The most common materials that are
being sought after by rock hounds
are:
* Agate
* Jasper
* Limb Casts
* Obsidian
* Petrified Wood
* Thunder Eggs
All these materials have formed as a
result of processes that are at
least a thousand years old. For
instance in Oregon, millions of
years ago various volcanoes that
erupted in the region of Central
Oregon led to volcanic ash being
deposited on the steep slopes that
mixed with the tropical rains and
created mud flows that swept across
the landscape devouring plants and
animals and storing them inside as
fossils.
Similarly, in Washington a
continuous phase of volcanic
eruptions that resulted in the
oceanic plate being submerged under
water along with water rich rocks
under the continental plate. Since
lava rocks and ash have rich silica
content, this gives a good chance
for agate formation in the area.
This action has resulted in some of
the finest agate reserves in the
area including the well-known
Ellensburg Blue Agate.
IMPORTANT REGULATIONS TO FOLLOW
WHILE ROCK HOUNDING
Prior to choosing any site for rock
hounding, there are various
important points to remember. They
are:
* The rock hound should determine if
the site selected is located within
the National Forest Land.
* It is important to find out if
rockhounding is legally permitted in
the area
* The rock hound should also find
out if the mineral rights in the
site are privately owned. The above
information will be available with
the local District Ranger Offices.
* Semi-precious stones, mineral
specimens and common invertebrate
fossils can be collected from public
lands in reasonable quantities for
personal use.
* Vertebrate fossils can be
collected only with requisite
permits.
* Collection of rock materials for
commercial use is prohibited.
* No mechanized tools or explosives
can be used during rock hounding.
Only shovels, picks, chisels, rock
hammers and crowbars are allowed.
* Most importantly, every rock hound
must solemnly adhere to the Rock
hound's Code of Ethics to ensure
that the entire rock hounding
experience is a pleasant and
memorable one for everyone involved
in the adventure.
ROCKHOUNDING TOOLS AND SUPPLIES:
There are thousands of rock hounding
accessories and tools in the market.
All rock hounders must ensure that
they are well equipped with the best
and safest rock hounding equipments.
The rock hounding kit must possess
essentials like probes, digging
tools, rock hammers band crevice
tools. Various modern rock hounding
tools are available like the Rock
pick, which has a hammer on one end
and a sharp pointed pick at the
other, making it suitable for
freeing specimens, busting rocks and
digging in the dirt.
All rock hounders must possess a map
of the desirable location that is
highly informative and provides
accurate details about the minerals
and rocks available in the site.
Various pocket guides to rock
hounding are available in the market
that throw an ocean of light on the
various aspects of rock hounding
like fossil search, mineral hunting,
gem search and gold are prospecting.
By following the above mentioned
guidelines we assure you that your
journey through the various blazing
deserts, winding rivers and various
geologic wonders would create one of
best and most fruitful rock hounding
adventures you have ever had. It
would also kindle your interest in
this search for the untouched
treasures of Mother Earth and
motivate you to venture out to those
out-of-the-way places. Happy Rock
Hounding!!
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