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How to Find Semi-Precious Stones in Road Cuts

Rock hunting can be a rewarding hobby. A person can get a lot of satisfaction from a "great find," and a number of precious and semi-precious stones and ores can be found on public or private lands. Sometimes, you simply have to look down to find interesting rocks, but there are a variety of places where nature or man has assisted in uncovering these "buried treasures." For instance; roadbeds are sometimes cut through hills and mountains with heavy equipment. These excavations are road cuts, and they often expose multiple layers of earth and the minerals buried within.

Things You'll Need

Local maps (geological survey, road and topographical)
Rock hammer
Cold chisel
Stiff bristled paint brush
Rock and mineral field guide
Plastic storage bags
Step ladder

Instructions

- 1
  Locate a suitable road cut that is accessible and known to contain the rocks or minerals you seek. A good way to do this is to use a copy, if one exists, of a geological survey map of the area along with a local road map. Another, and certainly easier, method is to do an on-line search for road cuts friendly to rock hounds in your area. Familiarize yourself with the types of rocks and formations in which you will likely find the gems and minerals you want.
- 2
  Position yourself well away from the road when you arrive at the road cut. Park your vehicle so it does not obstruct traffic or the visibility of passing drivers. Look for exposed rocks and formations that most likely contain the gems you seek. You may use the step ladder if you choose to excavate higher locations.
- 3
  Use a rock hammer and chisel to gradually expose more locations. Examine the rock you break away for traces of semi-precious stones. Use a paint brush when necessary, to clear away rock dust or sand. Gently remove any specimens from the surrounding rock, being careful to cause as little damage to the specimen as possible. Use the field guide to assist in identifying anything you find.
- 4
  Place any finds you make in plastic bags. Mark on your map any specifics that assist you in locating the same spot again in the future. Thoroughly clean up after yourself, leaving the area the way you found it.

Rocks & Minerals