Get familiar with rocks – igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. Learn how to recognize and classify the rocks. It’s good to have a book with pictures of rocks and minerals in it.  It is also good to have a map that shows what kinds of rocks are in your search area [geologic map]. Study minerals that you might find in your area.

Equipment you will need: a small hammer, magnifier, pocket knife, a medium sized brush, and some bags. The most popular hammer has one blunt end, and one pick end. Another kind has one end blunt and the other end chisel [like picture on right]. The magnifier will help you have a closer look at the stone. The pocket knife is a useful gadget to pick off pieces or scratch them. The brush can be used to dust away dry dirt as you uncover the rock or mineral.  You should put each type of rock in a separate bag.

Pick up rocks from beaches, river banks, caves, mountains, quarries, even close to your home. It’s good to visit several areas with the same type of rocks. Then you can select the sample which best represents that kind of rock.  Hint:  River banks [where the river bends] are especially good places to look. Water and weathering push rocks and minerals down rivers.  The bends in the river stop them.  Never go near rivers alone, though.  Rivers are dangerous places and you need adults with you.

Ask for permission to collect rocks on private property. It’s not legal to collect rocks in natural preserves, some caves, and rock monuments.

It’s a good idea to have a notebook or, even better, an MP3 player. Then you can keep notes about what specimens you find and where they came from. With an MP3 player, you can record this information and write it down later.  That's so much easier!   You won't get your information mixed up if you use one of these ways to 'write' it down.

Decide what size stones you want to collect. They shouldn’t be too big or you will need a big space to store them. However, they shouldn’t be too small because you need to see what their features are.

Clean the stones.  You can use the brush for this.

Find boxes for keeping them. You can use either cardboard, glass, or clear plastic boxes. Usually rocks don’t need special temperature and humidity.

Make a system for labeling and be careful not to mix up the specimens. On the label you should write the name of the rock or mineral, the date it was found, and the place where it was found.

Have extra rocks and minerals to trade with other collectors.  Suppose you get really lucky and find an amethyst.  You know that your collection could use a really nice one so you pick the very best.  Before you leave all the rest, take a couple more with you.  If you meet someone else who collects rocks and minerals, you can trade one of the extra amethysts for something from his collection that you don't have.  Trading is a good way to get rocks and minerals from areas that you will never visit.