So, you are interested in hunting rocks and doing whatever it is to make them pretty and shiny like those you have seen in others collections. Be Advised - The Rock World can become habit forming but that just makes the hobby that much better.
Like most rock hobby’s, you can just start. Pick up one here, one there, one from the Dr’s. Office landscape area, along curbs, etc. etc. But you do need to put some thought into it before you expend too much time & money, and going about it the wrong way. For example, I recall looking at rocks one day at a new apartment complex that was just built. Suddenly, out of nowhere, was this elderly little old lady, wielding a broom over her shoulder, yelling “what do you think you are doing, you whipper-snapper”? I left the area immediately! Forgot to get permission!
You need to know what type of long range desires you want to come out of this hobby.


>Is this hobby just for your pleasure, to accumulate a box of nice lookers?
That’s how I started, but it did not last long. Soon I wanted to do many different things with rocks.
>Do you eventually want to begin a small business, and sell your finds to make money at it?
Your answer to this question will more than likely become a “Yes”! That was not my intention in the beginning, but the money one can accumulate, can finance your other rock needs.
>Where are you going to find all these rocks that you want to collect?
The country is full of rocks! Some plain, some gems! Some on National Grasslands, some on private property. Numero uno rule if hunting on private property, Get Permission First! (or carry your own broom with you!) Here in SD we have the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. It is open to the public. NW Nebraska has the Ogallala Grasslands. You are allowed so many pounds of rocks per each hunting trip, no permit required. I am sure there are areas such as this in your state. Check it out.
>Do you know how to make them pretty and shiny?
Read information about this step. There are an untold number of books out on working rocks, making jewelry & the like.
>Do you have equipment available to work the rocks or the money available to purchase needed equipment?
Only you can answer this question.
>Are you mechanically inclined to home build some of your own equipment?
Store bought equipment can be expensive. However, it does not take an engineer degree for you to build some of this equipment. It is all very basic and quite simple to construct yourself.
You would be surprised to find out what is readily available at rummage sales, auctions, or by simply checking the want ads in your paper.
Check your local area for rock shops or clubs. You can receive lots of help from those people. They might have a member with used equipment to sell.
When I started, about 35 years ago, naturally items did not cost near what they cost today. I purchased a used rock tumbler for $5, and a used saw for $50 (Well actually my parents bought them for me.) Now days, a silicon carbide grinding wheel will cost that much. My suggestion is start with silicon carbide, and if “rocks” prove to be your cup of tea, you can later switch to diamond, on the same equipment. A diamond grinding wheel will cost new, upwards of $75 - $250. But who says you have to go new right off the bat. I still purchase used grinding wheels today at rummage sales for 50 cents to a $1. The diamond blades for your saw can easily run you $5 per inch. Lately I have found a company that sells a new foreign diamond blade from China, 6”, for $4.95. I will give you their address later. I was leery at first. I thought a $4.95 blade might only make it a few days, so I ordered two of them. I am still cutting the smaller rocks on that first blade going into 6 months now. WOW! Even I am impressed with that!
I have been building my own equipment for the last 20 years. If it is built right the first time, it will last. You can always “tweek” it down the road if necessary.
There are all kinds of home-made rock equipment plans on the Internet. Don’t take shortcuts in building them and they will last. I am also into making Spheres. I started with a used machine, $150. New Sphere machines are now upwards of $1200+. I have 3 tumblers. I bought one in used condition on an auction. The other two are home-made. Again, plans for tumblers and sphere machines are available on the Internet. My flat laps, all used, were all bought on auctions. I have smaller machines to do this and that but I had to temporarily stop building equipment as I am now out of room! I even had to dedicate one room in the basement for spill over. Ear plugs need to be worn in my shop when several of the machines are operating, it is noisy in there.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have a question that has not been covered here so far. I will welcome it. The only dumb questions are the ones that are not asked! This page will only get better if you submit suggestions. More information forth coming as time avails.

I certainly don't consider myself to be a professional at this. A true professional should know it all. Some that do call themselves professionals leave a lot to be desired. I do have 35 years behind me in hunting and working rocks. I have tried many different attempts in working with rocks. A need for a page like this is tremendous so I decided to take it on, but I need your suggestions.
I, like many of the members here, are learning new procedures every day.


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