North Carolina is among the best rockhounding states in the U.S. It is arguably the best place worldwide for crystal and gemstone hunting. The western …

A scratch test is an essential tool for mineral identification. It is popular due to its simplicity. A scratch test is based on the Mohs …

With world-famous attractions, such as Mount Rushmore and stunning national parks, it’s no wonder that South Dakota is a popular tourist destination. After you’ve seen …

There are more than twenty kinds of garnets, but only five are good enough to cut and shine. They are called almandite, pyrope, andradite, grossularite, …

Jade is the most valuable gemstone in Asian culture. It has been known for 5,000 years since the Neolithic as a material for tools, carvings, …

Illinois is not a place that many would associate with good rockhounding, and while there are a few sites to explore in the state, they …