Rockhounding: How to Get Started

Tempe Public Library Presentation Notes, June 15, 2024

What We’ll Cover Here

• What is rockhounding
• Outdoor safety
• The tools you’ll need to get started 
• Research and planning that’s required
• Locations and collecting

What is Rockhounding

• Rockhounding is the act of exploring nature to look for and collect rocks, crystals, minerals, gemstones, and/or fossils. Some call it rock and mineral collecting or geology for amateurs.
• It’s a low cost hobby with fantastic physical and mental health benefits. Which is why I want to share it with as many people as possible. 

Outdoor Safety

• Plan for Weather
  • Check the Forecast, Then Check Again
  • Use an app with alerts for extreme and unexpected weather warnings
  • But also remember you will not always have cell service
  • Consider Extreme Weather
  • Warmer months in AZ are March-Oct
  • Stick to early mornings
  • Know your limit
  • Don’t go out during extreme weather warnings
  • Getting dehydrated or suffering from heat stroke will leave you confused and unable to make good decisions
• Dress Appropriately for Weather
  • Protect your skin
  • Protect your eyes
  • Footwear
• Stay Hydrated
  • There is no exact formula to determine how much water you should bring on a hike, rather there are several factors to consider.
  • Start with about a liter per hour, then consider the following factors
  • Temperatures
  • Duration
  • Intensity
  • Shade
  • Sweating means your losing minerals
  • How hydrated are you at the beginning of your hike
• Personal safety
  • Carry a first aid kit for day hikes
  • Tweezers
  • Disinfectant wipes
  • Bandages
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Consider carrying an emergency kit
  • Learn CPR if you have not already
  • Always let someone know where you are going, and when you plan to be back
  • Be alert and don’t hesitate to act if you feel unsafe
• Encountering Wild Animals
  • It’s most important to keep our distance
  • Watching them from a distance is the best way to “interact” with wildlife
  • We don’t want to feed them
  • Photos are never worth the risk, being in the moment is always better
  • Rattlesnakes
    • Keep in mind they are not aggressive, just defensive.
    • They are cold blooded – meaning they can not generate their own heat. Therefore they must change locations to regulate body temperature. Winter is usually too cold for them to operate, so typically they stay underground. They are not hibernating but are much less active.
    • They are much more active during the warmer months (March through October)
    • Best protection is not to startle them
    • If they know we are coming they will either
    • Stay quiet and hide where they are safely concealed
    • They may rattle to communicate that you need to give them space
    • The may slither away without you knowing
    • vibrations from our footsteps and hiking poles are usually enough
    • The danger comes when we surprise them
    • Avoid shady, rocky areas and tall grass
    • It’s not likely that you will see a rattlesnake, as they are masters of disguise, so it’s important to listen
    • If you hear a rattle, stop, identify where it’s coming from and leave slowly in the opposite direction
    • In case of a rattlesnake bite, stay calm, stay where you are, call 911, use cold compress if available

Rockhounding Tools

• You don’t need many tools to get started with rock hunting. Avoid spending much money and add more expensive items as desired.
  • safety glasses
  • work gloves
  • short-handled shovel
  • rock hammer or geologist’s pick
  • Mallet
  • Chisel
  • Bucket for washing
  • Brush for washing

Research and Planning

• The Basics
  • Rocks, minerals, and gems are all naturally occurring, solid substances, but they have different compositions, structures
    • Minerals
    • A mineral is a naturally occurring substance composed of one or more elements. They often have a highly ordered atomic structure and are usually the same color. Common minerals include quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, olivine, and calcite.
    • Rocks
    • A Rock is a natural material composed of one or more minerals and can have many different minerals inside them. They don’t necessarily have a characteristic chemical composition, and can form through various geological processes like cooling and solidification, or through pressure and heat. Common rocks include granite, basalt, limestone, and sandstone.
    • Gemstones
    • Are precious or semi-precious minerals that have been cut and polished. They are often rare or beautiful crystals that form under specific geological conditions over long periods of time. Gems are valued for their beauty and durability, and are often used in jewelry making.
• Restrictions
  • If you plan to take materials home, keep the following in mind
  • While there are some materials you can collect, there are still restrictions on the amounts you may collect and if you can barter or sell what you collect.
  • There are further restrictions on specific areas and metal detecting
  • We can not collect historical artifacts, meteorites, or fossils
  • Using any equipment will likely require a plan of operation
  • It’s your individual responsibility to learn the laws, rules, and regulations governing collecting on the land you’re visiting
  • Check in with your local ranger district for rules and regulations
  • Respect all public and private property
  • Avoid areas marked as archaeological sites
• Best Locations
  • Start close to home, by exploring your area’s geology
    • What minerals and rocks are present in your current locale?
    • Are there any interesting geological features, or caches?
    • By familiarizing yourself with the samples available near your home base, you can without venturing out into unfamiliar territory.
      • Geological Maps
      • Local Geological Surveys
      • Academic Resources
      • Library and Books
      • Museums and Geological Centers
      • Field Trips and Clubs
      • Government and Environmental Agencies
  • On your own – BLM site are a great place to start
  • Rockhounding.org offers area maps
  • Facebook groups – free group events
  • Pay to join an excursion with professionals
• Plan Your Route
  • Use directions, a map, a compass and/or app
  • Check with the local ranger ahead of your visit
  • Sign in to trail, if sign in is available
  • Share your plans with someone
  • Confirm directions as you go
  • Stick to your plan
  • Don’t be afraid to ask others, they want to help
  • Don’t hesitate to call 911 in the event of an emergency, including snake bite, being lost, or physical injury
  • If you feel lost, stop. Go back to your map and compass
• It’s kind of a secret and it depends what you’re looking for
• When someone discovers a rich location, they will may only share it with close friends and family while others are more open to sharing
• The good news is Az is rich in a multitude of rocks and minerals

Collecting

• Set a goal for your rockhounding
  • Type or rock, mineral, gemstones
  • Certain colors, patterns, sizes
  • By area/location
  • Be open to discovering what there
• When you find something you’d like to get a closer look at
  • Make as little impact as possible to the land
  • Record and label rocks with location (identify later)
  • Leave all collecting areas free of litter
• What to do with your collection
  • Identify
    • Use an identification guide
    • Consider hardness, streak, color, environment, size, makeup (crystals, bands, grains, metallic masses, layers, glassy
  • Display it
  • Share online in groups
  • Catalog it
  • Tumble rocks
  • Trade and sell
  • Make jewelry

Want more outdoor adventure inspiration? Check out my post on Best Practice for Amazing Outdoor Adventures in Arizona.