Current Issue

May_cover

Aquamarine is a blue variety of the pegmatite mineral beryl. Contributor Scott Meier relates his aquamarine-collecting adventures in Nepal. Other articles include field trips to the Calvert mine in Montana (epidote and almandine) and...
Read More »

The Frugal Collector, Vol. I

The Frugal Collector, Vol. I

NOW AVAILABLE! Rock & Gem senior consulting editor Bob Jones’ latest book, The Frugal Collector, Volume I, is now available for purchase. Read about a host of popular collector minerals that will fit the average collector’s budget and their classic sources, and enjoy anecdotes about Bob’s personal experiences over his 70+ years of collecting. Hardbound, 10¼ by 9½ inches, 256 pages, full color
Read More »

Features

Video Gallery 2

Video Gallery

Videos can be a great resource for learning about minerals and geology, getting a feel for lapidary techniques, and joining in on the fun of field trips. Some are amateur videos and others are commercially produced  instructional aids, but all can offer education and enjoyment.

spy-gadgets

Editorial Corrections

April 2013: Cover The cover line “How Much Collecting Is Enough?” was mistakenly added to the April cover. The article appears in the February 2013 issue.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Rock of the Month

Malachite Cu2CO3(OH)2 While color may be misleading when it comes to identifying some minerals, with malachite, it’s a sure bet! All malachite is green, often a bright emerald green. It also leaves a green streak on a ceramic streak plate. Malachite, a hydrous copper carbonate, is part of the large family of carbonate minerals....