A collection of rockhounding and arrowhead (Indian artifact) field reports from across the nation. Join us for exciting geological and historical adventures involving rocks, minerals, crystals, fossils, and Native American artifacts as we include reports, photos, videos, maps and more. If you love rocks, minerals, fossils, and artifacts, then Rockhounding USA is your new home.
Rockhounding USA: an informative and media-rich blog with articles, photos, videos, and maps to a wide variety of rock, mineral, fossil, and Indian artifact collecting sites across the USA.
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
FOSSIL FISH from Fossil Safari near Kremmerer, Wyoming
Saturday, July 20, 2019
KILLER Indian Points (arrowheads and blades) from Central Missouri
We travel to one of my favorite "honey-holes" for Indian Artifacts in the Midwest.
After nearly three decades of heavy searching, this rich site continues to yield ancient treasures.
ENJOY!
After nearly three decades of heavy searching, this rich site continues to yield ancient treasures.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
GEODE FEST 2018 Report
My trusted rockhound companion (and son) Chase and I traveled to the Keokuk, Iowa area for the three-day Geode Fest 2018 (September 28, 29, 30). Geode hunters, rockhounds, and mineral/crystal/fossil vendors came together in Hamilton, Illinois for three days of digging, cracking, contests, and rockhound fellowhip and fun.
Geode hunters were given special access to private and public dig sites all across the tri-state area. On Friday and Saturday, there were both morning and afternoon digs, and one morning dig on Sunday.
In addition, professional geode crackers were on site to help reveal the hidden treasures, and several contests were held, including Ugliest Geode and Best Geode in both youth and adult divisions.
In this video, we also meet up with Bryan Major, better known as "The Crystal Collector," and he shares insights about collecting geodes.
For more information about Geode Fest (2019) visit:
http://keokukiowatourism.org/event_calendar/geode_fest/index.php
Also, visit their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/GeodeFest/
For another fantastic rockhounding channel, subscribe to Bryan Major's channel: The Crystal Collector:
https://www.youtube.com/user/surfer1582
Geode hunters were given special access to private and public dig sites all across the tri-state area. On Friday and Saturday, there were both morning and afternoon digs, and one morning dig on Sunday.
In addition, professional geode crackers were on site to help reveal the hidden treasures, and several contests were held, including Ugliest Geode and Best Geode in both youth and adult divisions.
In this video, we also meet up with Bryan Major, better known as "The Crystal Collector," and he shares insights about collecting geodes.
For more information about Geode Fest (2019) visit:
http://keokukiowatourism.org/event_calendar/geode_fest/index.php
Also, visit their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/GeodeFest/
For another fantastic rockhounding channel, subscribe to Bryan Major's channel: The Crystal Collector:
https://www.youtube.com/user/surfer1582
Monday, September 17, 2018
Finding Sweet Crystals at Sweet Surrender Quartz Crystal Mine
We travel about 10 miles north of Mt. Ida, Arkansas (Quartz Crystal Capital of the World) and visit the Sweet Surrender Quartz Crystal Mine. Join Chase and I as we explore this interesting SHALE deposit, laced with seams of quartz:
Here is a Google Maps locator for this fee collecting site:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sweet+Surrender+Crystals/@34.6633578,-93.5211947,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x121fe7ef90f33c17?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiA6r3BisPdAhXGx4MKHe4KBTgQ_BIwE3oECAgQCw
To contact the owner (Randy Skates), call:
870-867-0104
Here is a Google Maps locator for this fee collecting site:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sweet+Surrender+Crystals/@34.6633578,-93.5211947,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x121fe7ef90f33c17?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiA6r3BisPdAhXGx4MKHe4KBTgQ_BIwE3oECAgQCw
To contact the owner (Randy Skates), call:
870-867-0104
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Southern Illinois Roadcut Yields a Wealth of Fossils
Many fossil locations require a long hike into the forest, or an exhausting trip across the desert, or extensive travels into the wilderness. BUT NOT THIS ONE.
Join us as we explore a rich fossil site that sits a few feet off of State Road 146, about 5 miles east of Anna, Illinois. Crinoids, Blastoids, Archimedes screws, and more await even the casual collector:
Google Maps locator for this location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B026'50.4%22N+89%C2%B008'15.6%22W/@37.4473354,-89.138757,375m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d37.4473333!4d-89.1376667
You can clean limestone fossils (Calcium-based) with weak solutions of acid (Vinegar), but be careful. The acid will dissolve (not only the matrix) but also the fossil itself. To halt the action of the acid, add small amounts of Baking Soda until the fizzing stops, then soak the fossils overnight in fresh water. If your fossils are silica-based (quartz) then you can use stronger acids (Muriatic) to dissolve away the surrounding matrix, since silica is impervious to most acids.
Join us as we explore a rich fossil site that sits a few feet off of State Road 146, about 5 miles east of Anna, Illinois. Crinoids, Blastoids, Archimedes screws, and more await even the casual collector:
You can clean limestone fossils (Calcium-based) with weak solutions of acid (Vinegar), but be careful. The acid will dissolve (not only the matrix) but also the fossil itself. To halt the action of the acid, add small amounts of Baking Soda until the fizzing stops, then soak the fossils overnight in fresh water. If your fossils are silica-based (quartz) then you can use stronger acids (Muriatic) to dissolve away the surrounding matrix, since silica is impervious to most acids.
STUNNING Petrified Wood from near Holbrook, Arizona
Mention the word "Arizona" to rockhounds, and instantly visions of large chunks of luscious petrified logs will fill their minds. Indeed, there is even a national park in Arizona dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of an incredible area of petrified wood.
But where can rockhounds legally collect those wonderful bits of wood-turned-stone? In this episode of Rockhounding USA, we travel about 15 miles east of Holbrook, Arizona to the DoBell Ranch and find more petrified wood than we can haul.
For more information about DoBell Ranch Petrified Wood:
https://www.facebook.com/Dobell-Curios-Rhondas-Petrified-Wood-dig-at-Dobell-Ranch-161287674453101/?ref=br_rs
But where can rockhounds legally collect those wonderful bits of wood-turned-stone? In this episode of Rockhounding USA, we travel about 15 miles east of Holbrook, Arizona to the DoBell Ranch and find more petrified wood than we can haul.
https://www.facebook.com/Dobell-Curios-Rhondas-Petrified-Wood-dig-at-Dobell-Ranch-161287674453101/?ref=br_rs
To call Rhonda DoBell to schedule your visit or dig: Phone: 928-245-9010
For more information about the Petrified Forest National Park:
https://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm
https://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm
Google Maps locator for DoBell Ranch shop:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/9490+US-180,+Holbrook,+AZ+86025/@34.800289,-109.9103067,823m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x872f72fbd5bc629b:0x1c9f509cc36b9233!8m2!3d34.800289!4d-109.908118
https://www.google.com/maps/place/9490+US-180,+Holbrook,+AZ+86025/@34.800289,-109.9103067,823m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x872f72fbd5bc629b:0x1c9f509cc36b9233!8m2!3d34.800289!4d-109.908118
NOTE:
When using Muriatic Acid to clean your fossils, be sure to wear gloves and eye protection, and avoid breathing the fumes. Always add acid to water, and never add water to acid, and always do your cleaning OUTDOORS. To neutralize your acid bath, use generous amounts of baking soda (until the solution stops fizzing), and then allow at least a few more hours. Once neutralized, pour out the old solution, and then soak your fossils (petrified wood) in fresh water and allow to soak for a few more hours, overnight is best. Never clean fossils containing calcium in Muriatic Acid, as the strong acid will attack your fossil. Use weaker acids, such as Vinegar to clean calcium-based fossils (most fossils in limestone). Only use Muriatic Acid on silica-based fossils, since the Hydrochloric Acid cannot dissolve the silica.
When using Muriatic Acid to clean your fossils, be sure to wear gloves and eye protection, and avoid breathing the fumes. Always add acid to water, and never add water to acid, and always do your cleaning OUTDOORS. To neutralize your acid bath, use generous amounts of baking soda (until the solution stops fizzing), and then allow at least a few more hours. Once neutralized, pour out the old solution, and then soak your fossils (petrified wood) in fresh water and allow to soak for a few more hours, overnight is best. Never clean fossils containing calcium in Muriatic Acid, as the strong acid will attack your fossil. Use weaker acids, such as Vinegar to clean calcium-based fossils (most fossils in limestone). Only use Muriatic Acid on silica-based fossils, since the Hydrochloric Acid cannot dissolve the silica.
Friday, July 6, 2018
Rock Show/Swap Report: 21st Annual Missouri Mines Rock Swap June 2018
Hailed as one of the last actual rock shows/swaps in the nation, the 21st Annual Missouri Mines Rock Swap (June 8-10, 2018) in Park Hills, Missouri was a complete success.
Dozens of vendors from across the nation showcased minerals, rocks, and fossils from across the United States and the world.
Here is a short video report about this year's event:
For more information about attending or getting a booth:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1249800061698210/
Dozens of vendors from across the nation showcased minerals, rocks, and fossils from across the United States and the world.
Here is a short video report about this year's event:
For more information about attending or getting a booth:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1249800061698210/
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