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washatonian
washatonian
What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 5:35 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 5:35 PM EDT
Rockhounding
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rockhounding is the recreational collecting of rocks and/or mineral specimens from their natural environment.

Early rockhounds were prospectors looking for valuable minerals and gemstones for commercial purposes. Eventually, however, more and more people have been drawn to rockhounding for recreational purposes, mainly for the beauty that rocks and minerals provide.

The rockhound's principle piece of equipment is the rock hammer. This small tool has a pick-like point on one end, and a flat hammer on the other. It should be noted, however, that the hammer end is for breaking rocks, and the pick end is mainly used for prying and digging into crevasses. The pick end of most rock hammers can dull quickly if struck onto bare rock.
Getting started in rockhounding is easy; a collection can begin with a single "pretty" rock. However, there are many clubs and groups that rockhound together. Libraries, bookstores, and "gem and mineral shows" are very good sources of published information on where to find such groups. Also, tourist info centers and small-town chambers of commerce can also supply valuable local information. The Internet can also be a useful tool and can help find buddies in the hobby.
The avid collector will learn quite a bit of petrology,mineralogy and geology in search of collecting location information as well as in the identification and classifying of specimens, and preparation for display. The hobby can lead naturally into lapidary or mineral and gemstone cutting and mounting. The needed equipment then includes rock saws and polishers. Many beautiful crystal varieties are typically found in very small samples which requires a good microscope for working with and photographing the specimen. The hobby can be as simple as finding pretty rocks for a windowsill or develop into a detailed and comprehensive museum quality display.

 7  out of 7 found this valuable. Do you?    
aubreyreynolds9@gmai
aubreyreynolds9@gmai
1. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 5:46 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 5:46 PM EDT
First post in the Rockhounding for Dummies page. Andy I found one piece I am going to polish from the items you sent and I will send it back to you. Check out the new page. You are the first contributer.
Bill Do you find this valuable?    
washatonian
washatonian
2. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 5:53 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 5:53 PM EDT
"First post in the Rockhounding for Dummies page. Andy I found one piece I am going to polish from the items you sent and I will send it back to you. Check out the new page. You are the first contributer.
Bill"
OK...Roger that. Very nice job there Bill. This dummy likes it :) Do you find this valuable?    

havermap
3. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 5:54 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 5:54 PM EDT
Alright, I agree with wikipedia about what a rockhound is except it should also be noted that not only do people hunt for the beauty of rocks, another reason people hunt themselves is that it is sheer fun to do the collecting yourself. That is one reason I have not bought rocks.

Because I remember where I picked up most of my rocks; whether with friends or alone, which vacation etc.

I think those are some of the "treasures".
Pam Do you find this valuable?    
TallTomSr
TallTomSr
4. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 6:00 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 6:00 PM EDT
"Alright, I agree with wikipedia about what a rockhound is except it should also be noted that not only do people hunt for the beauty of rocks, another reason people hunt themselves is that it is sheer fun to do the collecting yourself. That is one reason I have not bought rocks.

Because I remember where I picked up most of my rocks; whether with friends or alone, which vacation etc.

I think those are some of the "treasures".
Pam"
Hi Pam
True, to me that is a very large part of the treasure, The memories attached to each find. I can tell people more about the trip than I can about the rock,,lol.
Hey Bill you use them big words like petrology and such so now define tham four dollar wards. To me petrology is the list of things my wifes puppy has chewed and eaten while being house broke.
Tom Do you find this valuable?    
washatonian
washatonian
5. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 6:06 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 6:06 PM EDT
Your absouloutly correct Pam. Do you find this valuable?    
aubreyreynolds9@gmai
aubreyreynolds9@gmai
6. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 6:10 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 6:10 PM EDT
"Alright, I agree with wikipedia about what a rockhound is except it should also be noted that not only do people hunt for the beauty of rocks, another reason people hunt themselves is that it is sheer fun to do the collecting yourself. That is one reason I have not bought rocks.

Because I remember where I picked up most of my rocks; whether with friends or alone, which vacation etc.

I think those are some of the "treasures".
Pam"
Will add to Dummies Guide
Bill 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
aubreyreynolds9@gmai
aubreyreynolds9@gmai
7. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 6:19 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 6:19 PM EDT
Big words should be banned from the guide. I added a definition to the guide.
Petrology is the study of rocks and how they form. The post on how agates form is petrology. I still like your explanation best. Do you find this valuable?    
TallTomSr
TallTomSr
8. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 6:26 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 6:26 PM EDT
"Big words should be banned from the guide. I added a definition to the guide.
Petrology is the study of rocks and how they form. The post on how agates form is petrology. I still like your explanation best."
THanks for explaining that Bill. Some of back yard collectors know a few rocks but not the fancy words to bo with them. So on sites like mindat we feel sort of dumb. Cause everyone there uses words as long as my arm and I am used to words as long as my ??? which is much shorter.
Tom 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
aubreyreynolds9@gmai
aubreyreynolds9@gmai
9. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 8:25 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 8:25 PM EDT
A rockhound is a person who thinks road cuts are tourist attractions.
A rockhound is the person standing by the WATCH FOR FALLING ROCK sign
A rockhound is a person whose living room looks like an exhibit at the Smithsonean Museum
A rockhound is the guy whose thumbs are bandaged from constantly hitting them with a rock hammer
A rockhound is the guy who will dig a ten foot deep hole in 110 degree heat to find a walnut size agate and says he is havinfg fun
A rockhound gets thrilled over what others ignore
A rockhound has never lost the love and wonder of life and the beauty of the creation
 Do you find this valuable?    

havermap
10. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 8:31 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 8:31 PM EDT
I agree with Tom about Mindat. I feel as if everyone there has a doctorate in chemistry/geology and I'm a high school dropout. Although I have learned a little about cleaning my finds, most of what is discussed is way over my head.

I appreciate that the members of this site don't "talk down" to others and you are all very helpful to novices, like me. Do you find this valuable?    
pvjjh
pvjjh
11. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 8:46 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 8:46 PM EDT
Pam, I agree, this site is great. The people here are here to have fun but learn at the same time. It isn't a competion to find out who knows or uses the biggest words or know the most. It is real people trying to help other real people who have the same interests and goals. Goals to have fun, find some treasures, to learn about their interests and enjoy other folks.

And Bill's definations of a rock hound is dead on and I am sure we can find more definations. lol Paul Do you find this valuable?    
washatonian
washatonian
12. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 9:36 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 9:36 PM EDT
"THanks for explaining that Bill. Some of back yard collectors know a few rocks but not the fancy words to bo with them. So on sites like mindat we feel sort of dumb. Cause everyone there uses words as long as my arm and I am used to words as long as my ??? which is much shorter.
Tom"
Ha.........I thought your were gona say something different like,..........................
well never mind he he. Do you find this valuable?    
washatonian
washatonian
13. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 9:47 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 9:47 PM EDT
"A rockhound is a person who thinks road cuts are tourist attractions.
A rockhound is the person standing by the WATCH FOR FALLING ROCK sign
A rockhound is a person whose living room looks like an exhibit at the Smithsonean Museum
A rockhound is the guy whose thumbs are bandaged from constantly hitting them with a rock hammer
A rockhound is the guy who will dig a ten foot deep hole in 110 degree heat to find a walnut size agate and says he is havinfg fun
A rockhound gets thrilled over what others ignore
A rockhound has never lost the love and wonder of life and the beauty of the creation
"
He he I could hear this one in a Jeff Foxworthy skit...........................................
YOU might be a ROCKHOUND if your a person who thinks road cut are tourist attractions....................................................
YOU might be a ROCKHOUND if you have been seen standing next to a sign which says Watch For Falling Rocks......................
YOU might be a ROCKHOUND if your living room looks like a exhibit at the Smithsonean Museum..................................................
YOU might be a ROCKHOUND if you become excited and thrilled by what others ignore.................................
To funny................I'm rollin Do you find this valuable?    
washingtoncougar
washingtoncougar
14. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 10:52 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 10:52 PM EDT
A rockhound is a person whose living room looks like an exhibit at the Smithsonean Museum
I wouldn't go that far none of my stuff is labeled with latin and common names in nice clean glass cases.
It would be more along the lines of
A rock hound is a persons whos living room looks more like a mad scientists lab with odd looking dodads and rocks or You know you are in a rock hounds living room when you have to move a pile of pretty rocks to see the TV.
A Rock Hound is the nieghbor who pulls out a diamond bladed saw instead of a lawn mower.
A Rock Hound is the person with bulging pockets with small rocks falling out while stating oh look another green one, While everyone else is fishing. (sorry honey had to add it) LOL
Dave 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
JBare
JBare
15. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 13 2008, 11:39 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 13 2008, 11:39 PM EDT
"A rockhound is a person whose living room looks like an exhibit at the Smithsonean Museum
I wouldn't go that far none of my stuff is labeled with latin and common names in nice clean glass cases.
It would be more along the lines of
A rock hound is a persons whos living room looks more like a mad scientists lab with odd looking dodads and rocks or You know you are in a rock hounds living room when you have to move a pile of pretty rocks to see the TV.
A Rock Hound is the nieghbor who pulls out a diamond bladed saw instead of a lawn mower.
A Rock Hound is the person with bulging pockets with small rocks falling out while stating oh look another green one, While everyone else is fishing. (sorry honey had to add it) LOL
Dave"
If ya want to see what a Rockhound looks like go to my profile. hehe Do you find this valuable?    
TallTomSr
TallTomSr
16. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 14 2008, 1:05 AM EDT | Post edited: Jun 14 2008, 1:05 AM EDT
You might be a rock hound if ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Your wife opens the dishwasher and yells your name.
You might be a rock hound if ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, whenever a leg beaks on furniture you have the right size stone to replace it
You might be a rock hound if,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, when some one says the stars are sure pretty you ask six points or five.
Tom Do you find this valuable?    
washatonian
washatonian
17. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 14 2008, 9:09 AM EDT | Post edited: Jun 14 2008, 9:09 AM EDT
To Funny..............love a good laugh with my morning coffe. Ya know I'm thinking
(Unusual for this time of the day) A whole chapter could be written on
You might be a ROCKHOUND if...........................................................HE HE Do you find this valuable?    
TallTomSr
TallTomSr
18. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 14 2008, 9:48 AM EDT | Post edited: Jun 14 2008, 9:48 AM EDT
"To Funny..............love a good laugh with my morning coffe. Ya know I'm thinking
(Unusual for this time of the day) A whole chapter could be written on
You might be a ROCKHOUND if...........................................................HE HE"
Yep old Jeff foxworthy aint got nothin on us.
Tom Do you find this valuable?    
pvjjh
pvjjh
19. RE: What's A Rockhound?
Jun 14 2008, 11:51 AM EDT | Post edited: Jun 14 2008, 11:51 AM EDT
"Yep old Jeff foxworthy aint got nothin on us.
Tom"
Yeah but ol' Jeff Foxworthy is just a redneck. He aint a redneck rockhound like some of us! Do you find this valuable?    
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