How to Hunt for Gems

Gems can be found in most regions on Earth.

Hunting for gems is an activity one can do in nearly every geographic location around the world. To properly hunt for gems (or any rocks or minerals for that matter), it's important to decide what you're looking for, where the gem is commonly found and what it looks like in its natural, uncut form. It is also important to plan ahead to ensure one's safety and also that one doesn't trespass where one is not welcome.

Things You'll Need

• Collection bag
• Sturdy brush
• Dental pick
• Magnifying glass
• Gold pan
• Sluice
• Waders or waterproof boots
• Pick or geologist's hammer
• Sturdy clothing and shoes
• Shovel
• Protective eyewear

Instructions

Honing in on the target

1. Determine the type of gem you wish to seek. If unsure, choose a geographic region where you'd like to hunt for gems.

2. Search online or in library books for appropriate details. If you decide to hunt for amethyst, for instance, query "where to search for amethyst" as your search terms. If searching by state, you could type "gems found in Nevada."

3. Gather as much information as possible about the gem and its native locations. Examine pictures of the gem in its natural form so one knows what to look for. Also note what other kinds of rocks are commonly found with the gem and learn how to identify those rocks.

4. Find (via blogs, forums and books) public areas in the selected region where one may search for gems and legally keep them. Alternatively, there may be a popular hot spot where one could pay to search for gemstones.

Hunting time

1. Choose equipment based on the type of gem-hunting one will do. If hunting in water, waders or wading boots would be helpful, as well as a gold pan or a sluice. If digging for gems, one would wear sturdy clothing and gloves. Digging also requires a pick or geologist's hammer, a shovel and protective eyewear. A sturdy brush, collection bag and a magnifying glass are handy for any gem-hunting methods.

2. Find a safe location to begin one's hunt.

3. Start searching: look in loose gravel, riverbed stones, limestone deposits, etc. Look for telltale signs specific to your chosen gemstone. If hunting in water, scoop up potential stones with the pan or sluice and strain out unwanted matter.

4. Examine any potential gems closely. Dust off the stone with the sturdy brush, or rinse it in water.Pick at any difficult-to-remove dirt with the dental pick. Does the stone have the telltale signs of being a gem?

5. Keep any stone that is potentially your chosen gem. One can always get help identifying it later.

Tips & Warnings

• Libraries often have books about rock hunting, gem hunting, and which types of rocks are native to one's region. There are also many groups online dedicated to rock and gem collecting.

• Be safe: always bring a hunting partner. This way, if someone gets injured or danger occurs, someone else is there to assist.

• Always get permission to hunt on private property. Be aware of local laws that may prohibit one from collecting natural materials from public parks.

References

• How Stuff Works: Gem Hunting

Resources

• Mama's Minerals: hunting equipment