Home >> Collecting >> Rock Collecting

How to Identify Rocks in a Rock Collection in North Carolina

There are many great rock collecting locations around the world, and some of the best are in North Carolina, specifically western North Carolina. Franklin, located about 70 miles west of Asheville, is considered by some to be the rock collecting capital of the world. Identifying the rocks you gather in North Carolina is the first step to classifying and categorizing your rock collection.

Instructions

- 1
  Sort your rock collection by color, size and texture. This will make identifying specific rocks easier. Purchasing a collector's box or some other means of sorting and storing your different rocks will make the process easier.
- 2
  Contact a gemologist, a specialist who can identify rock types by sight. Ruby and rock mines can be found throughout western North Carolina. Ask the gemologist or shop owner at the mine to look at your rock collection. The worst case scenario is that you will have to buy a bag of dirt and sift it in the mine trough. After sorting your dirt, take the accumulated rocks, plus your own rocks, to the mine staff for identification.
- 3
  Take your rock collection to a geologist. Geologists can be found at universities and museums.
- 4
  Search online for a North Carolina-based rock or gem site that has identifying pictures of various rocks.
- 5
  Check with a local hobby shop, gem shop or ruby mine. Many have posters or identification charts that will assist in rock identification. These charts can also be purchased online.

Rock Collecting