Igneous rocks are some of the most interesting rocks found in nature, mostly because of the spectacular way in which they are formed. All igneous rocks are created from the cooling of magma or lava, but there are almost limitless varieties based on the minerals present in the source magma and the temperature and pressure …

Sedimentary rocks are some of the most interesting and widespread rocks found in nature. When most people think of sedimentary rocks images of colorful sandstone layers in picturesque canyons come to mind, but there is a lot more to them than that. There are many different types of sedimentary rocks, and if you know what …

Granite is one of the most commonly found rocks in many areas of the world. Because of its innate strength, beauty, and variety, it is also one of the most popular rocks for amateur collectors and for decorative use in building. Many similar rock types are often described as ‘granite’ but there is actually a …

One of the most common frustrations we have as rock collectors is identifying the cool rocks we find. It’s fun to discover a cool-looking rock and add it to your collection, but it can often be difficult to know exactly what it is you’ve found. I have found that there aren’t a lot of great …

Dopping a stone with wax is a valuable skill for any lapidary artist to learn. It will result in your cabochons being better overall finished products while saving your fingers from needless wear and tear. While the general idea of dopping your cabochon with wax is simple, it can feel daunting at first. I’ll share …

Making cabochons out of rocks is a great way to show off their inherent beauty and take your enjoyment of them to an entirely new level. Whether you’re making the cabochons for jewelry or as stand-alone pieces, a well-polished cab of a unique-looking rock is a striking piece of artwork. I recently started making cabochons …

Collecting rocks and minerals is an extremely popular hobby and a fantastic way to explore the outdoors. Invariably, one of the first questions that aspiring rockhounds ask is where to find cool specimens to add to their growing collection. It seems like such a basic question, but it isn’t always easily answered. The search for …

If you’re in Hawaii, you are undoubtedly aware of the amazing geology surrounding you. These volcanic islands are world-famous for their magnificent lava flows and black sand beaches, so it may come as a disappointing surprise to learn that Hawaii is among the worst states in the country for rockhounding. The Hawaiian Islands are still …

Alaska can be a great state for rockhounding, and with its relatively unique challenges come equally rewarding results. With so much public land available for prospecting and exploration you can most likely find some great, unspoiled sites on which to do some rockhounding. The obvious challenges with rockhounding in Alaska are the weather and inaccessible …

If you’re lucky enough to be in Maine with the intention of doing some rockhounding, I’m jealous! Maine is, without a doubt, the best state in New England for rock and mineral collectors thanks to the widespread, high-quality pegmatites that make up a large portion of the surface geology. The gemstone production in Maine is …