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GUIDELINES AND
GENERAL EQUIPMENT NEEDS FOR
ROCKHOUNDING
By:Ritika
What is rockhounding?
Rockhounding is a term used for the
activity of rock hunting or
collecting rocks and mineral samples
from nature. This is more as
recreation and hobby oriented and
not from the commercial point of
view. It has humble beginning as
many die-hard rockhounders will tell
you. Walking along they chanced upon
a beautiful stone, which led them to
look for more and more and suddenly
they were avid hunters.
In the early days, rock hounds were
generally those who were prospecting
gemstones and minerals for
commercial use. Soon people were
attracted to this as a hobby simply
because the natural beauty of the
stones and the adventure involved
was so varied and interesting that
they left the commercial aspect to
the commercial dealers.
Rock hounding is all about looking
for interesting pieces of gemstones,
minerals, or even just stones that
nature created. There is no point in
talking verse and prose about
gemstones if you cannot recognize
what you have in your hand. The
finished product is what we see in
the shops but out there in the rough
they look very different. So it is
important to learn how to recognize
a potential rock for gemstones.
There are many places which have
free sites for prospective rock
hounders. Then there are paid sites
too. These are usually places where
gemstones and minerals have been
found regularly. There are maps
available but a first timer would do
well to visit known and established
digs initially. Of course, your best
bet is to join the local rock
hounders group where you will meet
experienced hunters who will have
many a handy tip for you. Clubs
organize field trips to educate you
in the art of rock hounding and
along with new friends you get to
learn all there is to know about
rock hounding.
Today there are many clubs and
groups that support this hobby.
There are books on the subject and
you can get lots of information at
your local tourist centre, the
chamber of commerce and of course,
the ever present internet. Some
states have laws that regulate rock
hounding on public land and most
national parks prohibit this
activity so read up on local laws
governing rock hounding activities.
Getting Started
Rockhounders need nothing more than
a rock hammer to start off. This is
a small but precise tool which has a
flat hammer on one end and a pick
look-alike point at the other. The
hammer end is to break up the rock
and the pick is used to dig in to
crevices to root out the mineral or
gemstone. Rock hounding is very
interesting. A keen collector will
become well conversant with
petrology, geology and mineralogy
while hunting for rocks. It is
important to learn about
classification and identification of
specimens so you are aware of what
you have collected. Many times this
hobby has led people in to the
business of lapidary, mounting and
cutting of gemstones and minerals on
a decent sized scale. Here your
equipment requirement changes a bit
as now you would need polishers and
rock saws, a good microscope to
enable you to work with crystal
varieties etc.
Safety and Equipment Requirements
Safety FirstSafety is of paramount importance
when rock hounding. Your area of
operation would cover most remote
and far off locations in dirt, sand
and rocky terrains where help is not
easily available. You must be as
prepared as is humanly possible to
cover all eventualities and
situations.
There are some key safety features
you need to keep in mind:
- Travel in groups
- Carry lots of drinking water and
- Ensure that you have plenty of
fuel to bring you back.
- If you are a lone ranger, then
ensure that people know your plans.
Equipment
 Let's start with safety goggles
because breaking rocks down means
bits of rock and tiny microscopic
particles are going to fly. Eye
protection is hence of utmost
importance. Next is the resultant
dust and dirt which you can breathe
in so a respirator or a protective
mask is your second most important
requirement.
Other than the above two, experience
has taught people not to leave home
without the following items packed
in your rock hounding kit.
(image courtesy:
http://www.gemworld.com/GeologyTools.asp)- A First Aid Kit is essential as
bites, scrapes, cuts and bruises are
part and parcel of rock hounding.
- Maps and guide books to tell you
were to go and how to get there.
- Spare tire and your tool kit,
rocks and tires don't go well
together.
- Garbage bags to carry all your
trash and they can be used to wrap
up large samples too
- You need a magnifying glass small
enough to hang around your neck so
you don't miss out on the smaller
finds.
- A notebook and writing tools like
pencils pens etc to take notes on
what you have collected.
- You need a good quality rock
hammer which is made of steel so the
head does not snap off. Sheath them
so they last longer and paint them a
nice bright color so you can spot
them easily.
- Chisels, garden trowels and a
round point shovel and hoe set will
help you dig around.
- Containers of assorted sized to
collect and store you samples as you
go along. You could try egg cartons,
milk crates, sacks made of canvas,
cardboard cartons, cookie tins and
whatever else you deem fit.
- Medication other than the first
aid kit, sunscreen and hats, lots of
food and snacks, toilet paper,
camping gear and last but not the
least
- Loads of patience and common sense
and presence of mind. Most people
tend to forget the last three but
these are the most important and you
cannot do without them.
Rock hounding is a fun and enjoyable
activity if you don't let yourself
get carried away with it. Patience
is the key as is perseverance and
you are sure to strike gold some
day.
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