rockhound
Amateur mineral collector
A rockhound is someone who collects rocks, minerals, gems, and fossils as a hobby.
Rockhounds range from casual beachcombers pocketing interesting stones to serious amateur geologists with extensive collections and specialized equipment.
The term can also be used as a verb: We spent the weekend rockhounding in the desert.
Rockhound clubs organize field trips to productive collecting sites and host shows where members display and trade specimens.
Crystalline silicon dioxide
- feldsparSilicate mineral group
- micaLayered silicate mineral
- calciteCrystalline calcium carbonate
- fluoriteCalcium-based cubic mineral
pyrite · galena · hematite · magnetite · agate · jasper · obsidian · geode
Purple semiprecious quartz
- tourmalineBoron silicate gemstone family
- garnetRed semiprecious stone
- opalHydrated silica gemstone
- topazSemiprecious aluminum silicate crystal
peridot · aquamarine · citrine · moonstone · turquoise · jade · lapis · sapphire
Acrobatic rolling and flipping
- polishingSmoothing by friction
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- grindingMolar action sometimes
- facetingCutting angled surfaces
cabochon · slab · rough · grit · barrel · saw · wheel · preform
Pursuing wild game
- diggingRemoving earth below
- excavationAct of unearthing
- hammeringStriking repeatedly with force
- chiselingCutting with edged tool
sifting · panning · quarry · outcrop · streambed · tailings · mine · claim
quartz
Crystalline silicon dioxide
fluorite · pyrite · galena · hematite · magnetite · agate · jasper · obsidian · geode · crystal
amethyst
Purple semiprecious quartz
- tourmalineBoron silicate gemstone family
- garnetRed semiprecious stone
- opalHydrated silica gemstone
topaz · peridot · aquamarine · citrine · moonstone · turquoise · jade · lapis · sapphire · ruby
tumbling
Acrobatic rolling and flipping
faceting · cabochon · slab · rough · grit · barrel · saw · wheel · preform · lapping
hunting
Pursuing wild game
- diggingRemoving earth below
- excavationAct of unearthing
- hammeringStriking repeatedly with force
chiseling · sifting · panning · quarry · outcrop · streambed · tailings · mine · claim · permit
specimen
Individual for examination
- displayPresentation for viewing
- cabinetEnclosed storage furniture
- labelIdentifying attachment or marker
catalog · trade · swap · club · show · finds · treasures · rarities · accumulation · identification
trilobite
Extinct segmented marine arthropod
- ammoniteExtinct spiral-shelled cephalopod
- brachiopodHinged-shell marine invertebrate
- petrifiedSolidified or fear-paralyzed
amber · fern · coral · shell · imprint · cast · mold · trace · dinosaur · megalodon
- hobbyistshobbyist, hobbyists, enthusiasts, crafters, collectors
- rockhoundslapidary
rockhoundgeologist
Studies rocks and minerals
mineralogist · petrologist · gemologist · geoscientist · paleontologist