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[bgast1]

Hi, I just decided last week to become a rockhound after I picked up some rocks at the beach. I collected rocks as a kid, so it isn't completely new. I also remember as a kid that my parents knew a couple who were rockhounds and now 50 years later they will never know what a huge influence they were on me. I remember them showing me their tumbler, polished rocks and some geodes.

I live in Northern Illinois. Wisconsin is just 30 minutes from me. Where can one go to collect rocks in these areas? It seems that Illinois pretty much prohibits you from collecting anywhere except on private property where you have permission.

The next question I would have is what do most people do to get their collections off the ground? Do they purchase rocks and minerals initially?

This seems like somewhat of a dumb question, but I will ask anyway because I do not know the answer. I noticed that a lot of Agates being sold are dyed, and they admit it which I guess removes any ethics questions, but why would a serious collector be interested in purchasing a dyed rock?

I have not read much around here, but enough that encouraged me to join up. I hope to have a lot of fun here and learn a whole lot.

Oh and one more question. Do you have to be wealthy to be a rockhound?

Bob

[HeySal]

Wow - you have access to Wisconsin?  You can find different things all over that state.  It's packed.  Unfortunately - I'm not familiar with the public land situation there.  Probably good amount around the border of WI and Iowa, which also has some agate locations and other things - central strip of the state is supposed to be good, too.  There's mega types of minerals in Wisconsin.  And cheese.

As far as starting a collection?  Some people buy some.  I didn't.  Half of my fun is finding my own.  I do sell sometimes, but if I'm going to buy a darned gem, it's going to have gold wrapped around it and be called jewelry.  I just love the hunt. 

Rich to rockhound?  Not even.  You can hunt for a lot of stuff with almost nothing -- but then again you can spend tens of thousands on stuff, too.  Just depends how deep you get into it what you'll end up spending on it.  So it doesn't matter if you can afford the big toys, you can still have fun and find stuff with just a rock pic and a couple tanks of gas.  Well - food too.   Hmmm - you could get lucky enough to have a rabbit or pheasant embed themselves in your front grill so maybe not even need bucks for that -- (Um....yes....I WAS kidding).

[bgast1]

HeySal thanks for the reply. From what I have been reading and searching on the internet, I am excited about finding some Lake Superior agates. I have also picked up a lot of rocks from the Lake Michigan beach up in Kenosha, WI but I really don't know how to identify them yet.

I would like to buy a tumbler as well, but it looks like I am going to be doing some polishing by hand for a while.

I am also looking to join a club that might be able to get me into the lapidary arts.

[ECS Dave]

HeySal thanks for the reply. From what I have been reading and searching on the internet, I am excited about finding some Lake Superior agates. I have also picked up a lot of rocks from the Lake Michigan beach up in Kenosha, WI but I really don't know how to identify them yet.

I would like to buy a tumbler as well, but it looks like I am going to be doing some polishing by hand for a while.

I am also looking to join a club that might be able to get me into the lapidary arts.

Tumbler? Did someone say "Buy a Tumbler"? 

I think those folks might have a couple left, lol!

Be Well!
ECS Dave (forum tech guy, and ad administrator)