Patti Polk - Collecting Rocks, Gems and Minerals: Identification, Values, Lapidary Uses, 3rd Edition

The fantastic world of minerals, precious stones, and fossils has intrigued people for thousands of years. Even in these extremely technically oriented times, it is still fascinating to watch people be amazed while holding a shiny crystal or an expertly polished agate in their hands. It is even more gratifying to actually be able to find one of these million-year-old treasures in the great outdoors yourself.

In spite of the fact that many established sites have been either totally exhausted or that a find is only possible with a lot of perseverance, hard work and determination, there are still plenty of possibilities to successfully find these natural treasures. The search for a lustrous crystal or a colorful agate is truly a worthwhile and satisfying recreational activity. It is an activity like no other that is good for the body, mind, and soul. This endeavor requires intensive work that broadens the collectors know-how with the use of tools, equipment and skills needed. A wonderful advantage that is attained by this activity is the contact with other like-minded people and the supportive camaraderie that develops. In addition, this is a wonderful pastime for young people to experience exciting, meaningful, and valuable adventures!

In order for a rockhound to be able to excite and motivate people of all ages it is necessary to have a lot of experience, specialized knowledge, and ones own excitement for minerals and stones. Patti Polk, the author of this book, combines these requirements in an exemplary fashion. I remember one of our collecting trips together in the Arizona desert where, with a glimmer in her eyes, she very knowledgeably and purposefully was able to find agates even when they were completely hidden. Her jewelry is admirable because it demonstrates the connection between the initial find of the natural treasure, which she has usually found herself, and the completed beauty of the artistic piece.

May this fantastic book give many people support and encouragement to achieve a successful, happy and long-lasting alliance with these wonderful stones and minerals.

Johann Zenz

• Author of Agates I, Agates II, and Agates III
• Editor of ACHAT mineral collectors magazine Bode Publishing Company, Haltern, Germany

Why do people collect rocks and minerals? There are as many reasons to collect them as there are types of collectors: for their beauty or rarity, for their monetary value, for lapidary or jewelry-making uses, metaphysical purposes, for scientific study, and for fun. Children especially love to pick up pretty and unusual rocks; it seems to come naturally to them.

A childs copper toy horse from the 1950s.

People have been collecting and using rocks since the beginning of time for adornment and more practical purposes, such as toolmaking or as currency used in trade between tribes or cultures. Materials like obsidian or chert have been used for millennia for making knives, axeheads, and arrowheads; and copper, bronze, or iron was used for many of mans earliest hammers and tools. Some of the very first known uses of stones date to prehistoric times when simple necklaces and bracelets were strung together with pieces of bone, teeth, shell and stones for personal adornment.

A quartz crystal ball.

The earliest signs of metallurgy appeared around 7,000 years ago when humans began using forged copper to make jewelry, and jewelry making is still one of the primary ways that people utilize rocks and minerals today. The metals gold, silver, platinum, and copper are just some of the minerals that have been mined throughout the ages and are used extensively in the art of modern jewelry making, combined with many beautiful precious gemstones like diamond, ruby, and sapphire, and semi-precious stones like quartz, agate, and turquoise. People interested in the art of lapidary generally prefer the semi-precious stone group for stone cutting and cabochon making, as their durability, color, and variety are best suited for those purposes.

A decorative selenite wand for metaphysical use.

One of the most common uses of gemstones is for faceted gems for fine jewelry. Most people have at one time or another worn a favorite ring or necklace set with a sparkling gemstone large or small that is special and meaningful to them in some way. Almost everyone is familiar with their personal birthstone and the qualities associated with it, and jewelry set with birthstones is often given as a gift for important birthdays and memorable occasions.

Gemstone tourmaline in quartz.

Sometimes stones are used in more unusual ways, such as for metaphysical purposes like crystal gazing, healing ceremonies, or wearing as personal amulets. Many people believe in the healing energy of stones, and use them for everything from stimulating their creativity to calming and relaxing their senses.

Gold leaf in a bottle.

Another use of minerals is the hobby of collecting specimens for display. People collect them in many ways: by their size, such as micromounts or cabinet specimens; by their locality, mineral group or chemical class; by rarity; or by special properties such as fluorescence, to name just a few.

Early Native American stone axehead.

Mankinds diverse uses of rocks and minerals has grown over time from crudely chipping stones around a makeshift campfire into a prestigious, multi-million dollar industry, ranging from hometown rockhound or lapidary hobbyists who enjoy hand collecting their material in the field and polishing cabochons for fun or profit, to internationally renowned gemstone experts, jewelers, and mineral collectors who travel around the world to collect and purchase their valuable and prized specimens. Gem and mineral shows are held throughout the year locally, nationally, and internationally and are enthusiastically attended by thousands of people worldwide. In addition, numerous museums, clubs, organizations, publications, and websites are dedicated to the various aspects of rock and mineral collecting.

Antique miners lamp from the early 1800s.

Due to the extensive scope of the rock, gemstone, and mineral collecting field, the focus of this book is primarily on the rocks and minerals that the majority of people would be interested in collecting for jewelry or lapidary use or for mineral specimens to display. As this book is intended to be used as a field guide, ease of use is a priority, with special emphasis on the beginning collector. And, above all else, always remember that rock and mineral collecting is a fun and fascinating hobby full of adventure, enjoyment, and education about the beautiful and enchanting treasures that Earth so generously provides for us.