| What
to look for: |
| A
good way to start a rock collection is to look for different
colored rocks, sparkles, dullness speckles, stripes and layers.
There are well over a hundred kinds of rocks and about 1,500
minerals. Look at many different magazines and books or talk
to a mineralogist and local rock collectors. |
| Where
to keep rocks |
| You
can keep rocks in egg cartons, boxes, in a toy chest and in shoe
boxes. Some minerals are sensitive to light, dampness and heat
so look each one up. |
| Equipment |
You will need
:
| something to wrap your rocks in, like newspaper |
| a pencil |
| a
hammer or a chisel |
| a
magnify glass |
| gloves |
| a
pocket knife |
| a
safety helmet |
| map |
| guidebook |
| compass |
| protective
goggles |
, , , , and .don't carry too much. |
| Rules you
should follow |
| Ask permission
before entering private land |
| Avoid
disturbing wildlife |
| Wear
suitable clothing |
| Use proper
equipment |
| Avoid
creating hazards for others |
| Planning
a trip |
| All rock collecting
trips should be planed before the trip using professional guide
books and maps. Make sure you get permission to visit any area
or site. Make sure people know where you are at all times or
take a friend as a safety precaution. Try to write down where
each rock you find is using a compass. |