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From the Field
Field notes, seasonality, and the stories worth passing along.
This is the ongoing notebook for the site: practical lessons, seasonal timing, technique pieces, and the kind of field observations that are useful because someone actually went out and learned them the slow way.
Lead read
Weekly field notes
The featured story anchors the page, then the rest of the feed fans out into newer dispatches and evergreen guidance.
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Latest articles
The newest field notes, guides, and useful side-paths from across the site.
How to Read a Geological Map (and Why You Should)
A practical beginner guide to geological maps — how to read legends, unit labels, contacts, and map patterns so you can plan smarter rockhounding trips.
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Rockhounding Ethics: Collecting Responsibly
A practical ethics guide for rockhounds — how to apply Leave No Trace, handle permission responsibly, limit site damage, and know when the right move is to leave material behind.
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Winter Rockhounding: Yes, You Can Still Collect
A practical winter rockhounding guide — where collecting still works in cold weather, which winter opportunities are real, and when to skip the trip entirely.
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10 Rockhounding YouTube Channels Worth Watching
A fact-checked list of rockhounding YouTube channels that are actually useful for collectors, plus how to spot stale advice, weak field habits, and empty hype.
Read article →Rockhounding with Kids: Making It Fun and Safe
A practical guide to rockhounding with kids — how to choose family-friendly sites, set realistic expectations, pack the right gear, and keep the trip safe and fun.
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A Beginner’s Guide to Fluorescent Mineral Hunting
A practical field guide to fluorescent mineral hunting. Learn what glows, which lights to use, and how to collect safely after dark.
Read article →Desert Collecting: Safety Tips for Arid Environments
A practical desert rockhounding safety guide — how to plan for heat, hydration, remoteness, flash floods, and unstable terrain before a fun trip turns into a bad one.
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Spring Collecting: 5 Tips for the New Season
Snow melt reveals fresh material every year. Road cuts wash clean, creek beds shift, and new specimens surface. Here’s how to make the most of it.
Read article →The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Rockhounding
Everything you need to know before your first field trip — from choosing gear and finding sites to the basics of mineral identification.
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Using the Mohs Hardness Scale in the Field
A practical guide to scratch testing minerals with common household items. Faster and more reliable than you’d think.
Read article →Keep exploring the site
If the article pulled you toward planning, identification, or gear, keep moving in that direction.
Location Guides
Detailed field guides to collecting sites with directions, access info, and what to expect.
BrowseIdentification Guides
Learn to identify rocks, minerals, and crystals using field tests and reference cards.
BrowseTools & Reviews
Honest reviews of rock hammers, UV lights, loupes, and other collecting gear.
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