![\"Rocks!](\"http:\/\/wheretofindrocks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/stones-1646479_1280-1-580x387.jpg\")
Rocks! (Or maybe more properly in this case: Minerals!)<\/p><\/div>\n
Obviously.<\/strong>\u00a0 Because what rockhound doesn’t want more<\/em> rocks?\u00a0 But let’s be honest, some of you might not have any idea WHICH<\/strong> rocks your rockhound will love.\u00a0 We have good news!\u00a0 Many mineral dealers, lapidary companies, and others in the mineral trade DO offer holiday gift cards and holiday promotions<\/strong>!\u00a0 Take the trouble out of choosing a rock and let your loved one choose their own!<\/p>\n Yeah, yeah, we know that gift cards kind of get a bad reputation.\u00a0 But from a true rockhound, the idea that I can go into a dealer’s inventory and pick out something I LOVE<\/strong> is definitely exciting in a way that a gift card to the local fashion boutique will never be.<\/p>\n First, decide what kind of material you think your rockhound will love – some love mineral specimens, others love gemstones, and others love just rough lapidary material!\u00a0 Find a company that deals in the material you’re looking for.<\/p>\n Next, find a company that has a great reputation.\u00a0 Checking out Facebook and other reviews is a great way to establish whether a company has a good reputation amongst its customers.\u00a0 If you know that your Rockhound has had good relationships with a company in the past, go with that one!\u00a0 (And if there’s a small-time company in your area, think about sharing the love by shopping local!)<\/p>\n Finally, if the company you’ve found doesn’t have a posted notice about gift cards or holiday promotions – ASK THEM!\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Shoot them an e-mail or a message to their Facebook page – chances are, whoever receives your message will be happy to work with you!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Every rockhound needs tools.\u00a0 Similar to a rockhound’s choice in rocks, a rockhounds choice in tools might be a little difficult to pin down.\u00a0 We’ve got a few ideas for you though, so take a look at some of these items to see if any of these seem like they fit your rockhound!<\/p>\n A rock scoop in use by the Apollo astronauts to collect lunar samples!\u00a0 Because the suits worn by astronauts made bending over nearly impossible, the rock scoop allowed them to collect rock and soil samples for return to Earth.<\/p><\/div>\n Though your rockhound might not be likely to be collecting on the moon, this is a proven tool.\u00a0 A favorite amongst those who do a lot of beach combing, the rock scoop<\/strong> is a handy gadget that lets you scoooooop up your treasures without bending over.\u00a0 This saves your rockhound on back and knee strain!\u00a0 \u00a0Of course, this tool works well in places other than beaches too (you know, like the moon!)!\u00a0 We wouldn’t recommend this for the rockhound that likes to hammer on rocks, but for the collector who likes to walk along and pick up treasures, this is perfect!\u00a0 (It can also double as a walking stick!)<\/p>\n There are a lot of different models of this tool out there.\u00a0 Some feature a scoop with holes to let smaller debris fall through.\u00a0 Some are collapsible for easy transport.<\/p>\n The Rock Hammer – the most essential tool of the Rockhound!<\/p><\/div>\n Now, for those of you who have a rockhound who likes to do some damage on your hands, there is no tool more critical than the rock hammer.\u00a0 And even if your rockhound already has a rock hammer, check it!\u00a0 These tools wear out over time, so a new hammer is never a bad thing!<\/p>\n There are a lot of choices in this department, but make one important distinction:\u00a0NEVER\u00a0<\/strong>think that a regular hardware store hammer is the right tool.\u00a0 It’s not.\u00a0 Be sure that whatever product you choose is labeled as a rock hammer or a geologists’ hammer.\u00a0 (This author has had great experiences with the tools made by Estwing, but there are certainly other choices out there.)<\/p>\n Note: if you need a stocking stuffer<\/strong> to go along with your gifts, some eye protection<\/strong> is always a great idea when using these tools.\u00a0 Throw in some safety glasses!<\/p>\n The Geo\/Paleo Pick – perfect for a competition over who’s pick is the biggest…<\/p><\/div>\n Now, some of you might have a rockhound who’s mastered the rock hammer and needs something bigger.\u00a0 That’s where the Geo\/Paleo Pick comes in.\u00a0 This tool features a longer handle for maximum power in the swing.\u00a0 It also has two tips: one pick-end for, you know, picking.\u00a0 The other end is broader and flatter and makes a great tool for scraping away debris.<\/p>\n There aren’t many choices available for this tool, so Estwing is a solid choice.<\/p>\n The Gad Bar – for poking and prying.<\/p><\/div>\n The gad bar is a tool with a little more subtlety than the hammers and picks, but it is incredibly useful.\u00a0 This is the rockhounds version of the pry bar.\u00a0 There’s a pointy end for sticking into crevices, and\u00a0 a chisel shaped end for wedging into cracks.\u00a0 This tool is great for working in areas where you don’t have the space to make big swings with a tool, or in situations where all you need is a little leverage.\u00a0 (Note: this is the author’s favorite field collecting tool.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of the most important things you can gift a rockhound is the gift of information!\u00a0 Here are a few different resources you can tap to help your rockhound get more educated!<\/p>\n Fred Pough’s classic Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals<\/p><\/div>\n Field guides come in all shapes and sizes.\u00a0 Some will cover topics related to field identification of rocks and minerals.\u00a0 There are lots of options in this department!\u00a0 Pough’s Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals has long been a favorite of rockhounds.\u00a0 The author also recommends Sorrell’s Golden Guide to Field Identification of Rocks and Minerals.<\/p>\n Others tackle the subject on a more regional level and will give your rockhound ideas about new places to go and what can be found there.\u00a0 Check out our section on Field Guides<\/a> for more regional guides.<\/strong><\/p>\n Rocks & Minerals Magazine<\/p><\/div>\n Books are a great gift, but several rockhound magazines are also available.\u00a0 Of course, the major perk to a magazine subscription is that you get new information delivered monthly or bimonthly!\u00a0 Several well established magazines are out there, including Rocks & Minerals magazine<\/a> (offers a wide variety of topics at different levels, though primarily directed towards mineral specimens), Rock & Gem magazine<\/a> (suited more for those interested in lapidary hobbies),\u00a0the Mineralogical Record<\/a> (specializes in mineral specimens) and the Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist<\/a> (specializes in lapidary and jewelry).\u00a0 Magazines are a great way to keep your rockhound regularly inspired by new information.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As we move into increasingly advanced times, technology is one of the greatest tools we have accessible.\u00a0 Just because your rockhound is concerned with ancient, dirty rocks doesn’t mean they can’t be aided by technology!<\/p>\n The Dino-Lite Digital Microscope – for looking at small things.<\/p><\/div>\nSo how do you find the right company to go through?<\/h6>\n
2. Tools.<\/h2>\n
The Rock Scoop<\/h4>\n
![\"A](\"http:\/\/wheretofindrocks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Rock-scoop-580x592.gif\")
The Rock Hammer<\/h4>\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/wheretofindrocks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/fossil-2312_960_720-580x435.jpg\")
The Geo\/Paleo Pick<\/h4>\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/wheretofindrocks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/geopick-580x733.jpeg\")
The Gad Bar:<\/h4>\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/wheretofindrocks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/estwing-claw-hammers-gp18-64_1000-e1574208349443-580x284.jpg\")
3. Information<\/h2>\n
Field Guides<\/h4>\n
![\"Fred](\"http:\/\/wheretofindrocks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/1994885._SY475_.jpg\")
Magazine Subscriptions<\/h4>\n
![\"Rocks](\"http:\/\/wheretofindrocks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/rocks_and_minerals_magazine__nov_dec_2013_issue__cover_300-580x781.jpg\")
4. Technology<\/h2>\n
The Dino-Lite Digital Microscope<\/h4>\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/wheretofindrocks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/am2111_06-580x464.jpg\")
![\"The](\"http:\/\/wheretofindrocks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/865b528d-0960-435c-8e1c-504a7c57801d-580x580.jpeg\")
![\"GPS](\"http:\/\/wheretofindrocks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/7765_39481_v1-580x580.jpg\")
![\"Rock](\"http:\/\/wheretofindrocks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/teaserbox_338998-580x571.jpg\")
![\"Headlamps](\"http:\/\/wheretofindrocks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Coast-FL85-headlamp.jpg\")
![\"Chisels](\"http:\/\/wheretofindrocks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/GW_82308_FRNT_MAIN-580x580.jpg\")