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| Information for Getting Started in Lapidary | |||
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Starting a Collection Information on how to start a rock or mineral collection including tools, storage options, identifying and organizing. |
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Rocks in the News Learn what is new and in the news relating to the world of rocks, gems. geology, and rock related science fields. |
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Finding Collection Sites Tips for researching and finding rock and mineral collection sites. Includes links to various online collecting resources. |
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Did You Know? Interesting facts and trivia about rocks, minerals, geology, and the earth from our favorite rockhound and rock sites. |
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Rules for Collecting A collectors "Code of Ethics", these are rules and guidelines to follow when collecting specimens on private or public lands. Don't ruin the opportunity for others! |
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History
of Lapidary Curious about the roots the lapidary arts? Who were the first to polish and facet stones? What was the earliest gem? Find the answers here. |
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Fee and Free Collecting Sites Free and fee mineral and fossil collecting sites in the US, Canada and on BLM Land with links to additional details |
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Worlds
Largest Gems A listing of diamonds and colored gems famous worldwide for their size, color, cut, and their history. |
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Cave and Karst Databases Searchable databases for cave and sinkhole locations in the US and countries around the world |
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Anniversary Gemstone List Gemstones are a much better anniversary gift than appliances. Find the right stone to give for your next wedding anniversary. |
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Fakes & Frauds This page is a list of scams, fakes, forgeries and misrepresentations that appear in the mineral collecting market. Learn what to look for and be an informed collector! |
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Birthstones Did you know birthstones have changed over the centuries? What are your choices? What does your birthstone mean? How do you select a quality stone? |
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How to Make Cabochons Creating beautiful, polished cabochons from slabbed rock is a process that (with a bit of practice) anyone can master. This guide will help you work through all the steps. |
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Healing Gemstones Listing of the purported healing powers and abilities of various gemstones, semi-precious stones, and minerals based on history, myth, and culture |
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How to Tumble Rocks Step by step instructions for using a rotary rock tumbler to created polished stones. This guide will help you work through all the steps plus helpful tips. |
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Official State
Stone, Gem, and Rock Lists Complete listing of the official state gems, state stones, sate rocks, state minerals, and state fossils for all 50 United States (that is if they have one!) |
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Cleaning Specimens Want to make your mineral specimens shine like the ones for sale or in museums? Learn how to clean geodes, quartz and other mineral specimens. |
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Meteorites Information on meteorites including their classifications, types, identifying possible meteorites, links, and other resources. |
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Ultrasonic and Steam Cleaning Gemstones
A chart listing which gemstones are suitable for cleaning in steam and ultrasonic machines and instructions for cleaning those that aren't |
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Lapidary Schools Learn different lapidary techniques" from these institutions dedicated to providing instruction in the lapidary arts. |
| Main Resource Center | Geologic Reference Center | Technical Reference Center | Shows, Clubs, & More | |||
