How to Dig for Fossils and Gemstones
Know where to go to dig for treasure., Contact your area's department of parks, outdoors, nature or recreation., Get a permit to dig, but understand you will need to pay for it., Research your home area's geology, or the geology of the area where...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Know where to go to dig for treasure.
The United States, for example, is rich in natural resources, but you need to find a place where its permissible to dig. -
Step 2: Contact your area's department of parks
(It should be called something like this.
Try a Google search.) They may be able to point you to resources. , In other cases, you may need to pay for what you take (charge is usually by the pound, but it's much cheaper than buying the same stones in a shop!). , Know what kind of stuff you are looking for.
The more you know, the better your chances of finding something good. , (Yes, all these things can be found in various parts of America!) , Be prepared for a long drive and an all-day expedition, at least.
Camping for a few days might be even better. , Prospecting tools are expensive.
Rather than investing in a whole set for your first time out, you can rent them, or find a friend who digs as a hobby that you can borrow equipment from.
Better yet, invite the hobbyist along and share your strength in exchange for their expertise! Rock and mineral shows are good places to meet people.
Check for clubs in your area, too. -
Step 3: outdoors
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Step 4: nature or recreation.
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Step 5: Get a permit to dig
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Step 6: but understand you will need to pay for it.
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Step 7: Research your home area's geology
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Step 8: or the geology of the area where you plan to dig.
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Step 9: Some things to look for
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Step 10: depending on where you live: garnets
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Step 11: sapphires
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Step 12: petrified wood
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Step 13: diamonds
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Step 14: silver
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Step 15: geodes
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Step 16: quartz
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Step 17: jasper
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Step 18: thunder eggs
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Step 19: fossils
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Step 20: soapstone
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Step 21: or arrowheads.
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Step 22: Places where you can dig for interesting rocks are
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Step 23: naturally
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Step 24: mostly out in the middle of nowhere.
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Step 25: Know your alternatives to expensive prospecting tools.
Detailed Guide
The United States, for example, is rich in natural resources, but you need to find a place where its permissible to dig.
(It should be called something like this.
Try a Google search.) They may be able to point you to resources. , In other cases, you may need to pay for what you take (charge is usually by the pound, but it's much cheaper than buying the same stones in a shop!). , Know what kind of stuff you are looking for.
The more you know, the better your chances of finding something good. , (Yes, all these things can be found in various parts of America!) , Be prepared for a long drive and an all-day expedition, at least.
Camping for a few days might be even better. , Prospecting tools are expensive.
Rather than investing in a whole set for your first time out, you can rent them, or find a friend who digs as a hobby that you can borrow equipment from.
Better yet, invite the hobbyist along and share your strength in exchange for their expertise! Rock and mineral shows are good places to meet people.
Check for clubs in your area, too.
About the Author
Ann Sullivan
Writer and educator with a focus on practical crafts knowledge.
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