How to Locate Gemstones

Decide what kind of gemstones you want to find. Then do your research. Read guidebooks, search online, and ask knowledgeable gem hunters where the gemstones you wish to find occur naturally. Peridot and turquoise, for example, can be found in Arizona; aquamarines can be found in Maine and Colorado, and diamonds can be found in Arkansas, California, and Colorado.

Once you have settled on a location, obtain permission from the owner of the land or--if you are planning on rock hunting in a state park--from the state park authorities. Pay any fees required. Make sure you do your gemstone hunting in a location that allows you to keep the gemstones you find.

Assemble your gemstone hunting gear: rock pick, safety goggles, folding shovel, magnifying glass (10x), zip-close plastic baggies, and permanent ink marker pen. Place these in a backpack. Note: you can buy a rock hunter's backpack kit which comes with many of these tools assembled for you.

Set out for your location and hunt for gemstones. Wear sturdy clothes and boots that can withstand rugged and perhaps muddy terrain. Take along an experienced gem hunter if you can. They can ease your gem-hunting learning curve considerably. Also, use your common sense. (See warnings below.)

Use your field guide to locate gemstones. As you will learn from the field guide, gemstones "in the rough" do not always look the way they do when they have been faceted and polished. Use the baggies to enclose your finds. Mark notes on the baggies with the permanent marker. Keep notes in your notebook about locations of finds and related data. With time and experience, finding gems can become easier--and there is always beginner's luck!