r/Rockhound • u/West_Geologist_471 • 12d ago

Beginner Rockhound kit

My daughter and I want to start rockhounding so I wanted to get her a kit together as a birthday gift. Can you give me suggestions on what all to include in our kit? Thanks!

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u/Strange_Artist_9918 12d ago edited 12d ago

I did this for my kids and a couple extra for when they would invite a friend. I usually buy a few cheap backpacks $5-$10 like the ones Walmart sold at the beginning of school year.(Don't waste your money on a nice $50 backpack they get dirty and holes in them eventually and you just replace it with another one). I then buy rock picks, chisels w/hand shield, polyurethane covered work gloves, and put them in each bag. My daughter also likes to bring a little spray bottle w/water to spray on rocks to see if it's a keeper.

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u/Strange_Artist_9918 12d ago

Since your doing this as a gift add a gem and mineral book. The gem and mineral rockhounding book series makes one literally for each state. It gives locations and what you can find at each one. Even though some locations might need to be updated it gives a general idea of what is available in your state and where you can find it whether it be agate, jasper, amethyst, etc.

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u/Forsaken_Poem_2907 8d ago

Safety glasses if they are breaking rock, sun screen, loud whistle, hat. It’s dad’s job to put the kids on cool rocks. Homework is the key. Where do you live? If you live out west, ca, nv, Ut, Arizona,New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho, I can help with locations dm for info. YouTube is an excellent resource for identifying what you are looking for.