How to Select Rare Rocks

Where to Find Rare Rocks

• 1

  Keep an eye on the skies. Meteorites are masses of stone or metal that have reached the Earth by falling from outer space.

• 2

  Scratch the surface. Some of the rarest rocks or gemstones are buried just beneath the Earth's surface and may not require deep excavation.

• 3

  Visit volcanic islands. Certain magmatic rocks found in volcanic pipes are found to contain diamonds.

• 4

  Be prepared for a little one-on-one with the wilds of nature. Rare rocks are often excavated from mountains and rivers along such wild terrain as Africa.

• 5

  Look for fossils. Some fossil sites are open to the public, but these relics of history can also be found along riverbeds.

• 6

  Get ready to travel! Rare rock collectors often travel as far as the Arctic or the rainforests in the hopes of finding even one rare rock.

• 7

  Check recent quarry and mine sites. Older sites usually have a depleted supply, but new sites are often more fruitful.

Classify What You've Found

• 8

  Use the Rock Key (see Resources below). This categorical questionnaire helps rock collectors to make sense of what they've found.

• 9

  Study rocks thoroughly before trying to select rare rocks. By familiarizing yourself with rock types and locations of rare rocks, you can more easily identify what you see.

• 10

  Satisfy your doubts. Talk to a rock dealer, gemologist or fellow rare rock collectors to confirm your findings.

• 11

  Bring all rock guides and classification tools with you. By bringing these with you every time you search, you can reference these to determine the real thing.