​So you've though about taking up a new hobby. Not sure what? How about collecting rocks?  How about a hobby that is loads of fun, and has other benefits too?

Rockhounding, or amateur geology, is the recreational study and collection of rocks, gems, minerals, or fossils from their natural environments. Rockhounds are the people who cannot pass by a pretty rock without  picking it up for a closer look.

So why do it?

1. No experience needed! Rockhounding can be as simple as going down to the nearest creek or roadcut, and finding pretty stones that suit your fancy.
2. It's cheap. Or rather, it can be as cheap or as expensive as you want to make it. Some rockhounds travel the world to collect stones in exotic locales, while others never go further than ten miles from home.
3. If you have children, rockhounding is a great way to get them interested in geology and the outdoors. Kids seem to have a natural love for this hobby, Why not, it's just like treasure hunting, after all.
4. It's a great excuse to get out in the fresh air and sunlight, and get some exercise. Hauling sacks of heavy rocks can be a great workout.
5. If you join a local gem club, it's a good way to make friends and connect with the community. Rockhound circles tend to be both close-knit and welcoming.
6. When you're tired of the awesome stones you've collected, or when you need to make room for new ones, you can sell your spares to other collectors, and earn a bit of spare cash.

This outline is to offer a small amount of information about the rockhounding hobby and provide a small checklist for newcomers to the hobby and help you in getting started. It is by no means a complete list, but should guide you in the right direction.

• Join our club! On your own it will take forever, but in a club you can become a competent rockhound in just a short time by drawing on the experience and knowledge of the club members.  
• Get the big picture, an overview of the many facets of the hobby, before you specialize.
• Come to club meetings and read the club newsletter and participate in club activities and programs. 
• Plan to attend and participate in our club’s annual Rock, Gem and Jewelry Show.
• Attend other rock and gem shows. 
• Observe the different facets of the hobby, such as lapidary, jewelry making, faceting, fossil and mineral collecting, etc.
• Subscribe to a hobby magazine and use the Internet.  Rock and Gem is an excellent place to start for general rockhounding and lapidary information.  Often old, used copies are available at club meetings to buy or borrow.  The Internet provides a whole world of sources and information.
• Obtain a good rock and mineral book and refer to it frequently.
• Seek out and talk to the more experienced club members to see what they do.  Visit their shops to see their equipment and their collections.
• Take a basic lapidary class.
• The club has an excellent workshop and offers instructions in the basics of cutting and polishing rocks. 
• Go on club field trips.  Learn what to look for and collect from experienced members.  See what they do and how they do it. Go with someone who knows.
• Get good field equipment.  Ask advice, then, get rock hammers, chisels, bars, gloves, boots, safety and first aid stuff, camping gear, etc.
• Decide to develop your personal specialty.  Learn advanced skills, start a collection, determine your shop and equipment needs. 
• Before you buy shop equipment, see what others do and visit their shops. 
• Obtain and study lapidary equipment catalogs and look for good used equipment. Plan your shop layout and equipment purchases carefully, consistent with the work you intend to do.
• Label and document your growing collection in notebooks or computer files.  Your collection and items are worth far more if they are fully documented.  
• Record each item with an I.D. number, description, date, source and cost.  Have a reference number or name on each item.
• Consult club officers and old timers.  Network with recognized experts in the club and in other clubs. You can become an accomplished rockhound in the shortest possible time.
• Finally, Ask Questions!