gem hunting
Searching for crystals
Gem hunting is searching for precious or semiprecious stones in natural settings—riverbeds, mines, or designated dig sites.
It ranges from casual hobby to serious prospecting: We went gem hunting in the North Carolina mountains.
The term also applies figuratively to searching for overlooked treasures in any domain: gem hunting at thrift stores, gem hunting for undervalued stocks.
- prospectingSearching for mineral wealth
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
- hidden treasureConcealed valuables awaiting discovery
- strike it richSuddenly acquire great wealth
- pay dirtValuable ore deposit
crystals · digging · rockhounding · mines · sifting · quarry · specimens · faceting · rough · rough stones · geodes · sapphire · emerald · unearthed · panning · deposit · mineralogy · loupe
- Southwest Activitieshorseback riding, rodeo, ballooning, hot air ballooning, desert tours
- resource explorationprospecting, drilling, geological survey, core sampling, wildcatting