Rockhound Geology and Travel Articles
​Explore the world of rockhounding, geology, and mineral collecting through our curated articles and travel adventures. From Ontario crystal finds to historic mines and exotic mineral destinations, our Rockhound Geology and Travel Articles provide practical tips, fascinating geology insights, and inspiring stories for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Discover new locations, learn about mineral formations, and plan your next rockhounding adventure with expert guidance.
Ontario Rockhound Location Articles
Explore our Ontario rockhound location articles to discover the best crystal hunting spots, mineral-rich sites, and hidden gem mines, complete with geology insights, travel tips, and safe collecting advice for hobbyists and collectors.
Ontario Rockhound Location - Cobalt, Ontario
Cobalt: A town that's hollow underneath - where the Gold is Silver
A maze of tunnels house the skeletal features of a once flourishing silver boom and connections from above pierce those passages in which are hidden secrets that have lain untouched for a century.
Ontario Rockhound location - Eldorado, Ontario
Rockhounding for Gold in Eldorado, Ontario
In this article we explore the abandoned Eldorado Gold Mine, just North of Madoc Ontario. The concentration of the gold in just one vent is still a mystery, but we look at what might have taken place and why there might still be gold.
Ontario Rockhound location - Saranac Mine, Ontario
Collect Zircon from Ontario Pegmatites
In this article we explore rockhounding for zircon at the Sarnac Zircon Mines in Monmouth Township, Ontario. We also look at other nearby zircon yielding pegmatites including the Blue Rock Cerium Mine
Ontario Rockhound Location - Paris Rock and Mineral Show
In this article Mark and I visit the Paris Rock and mineral show and see how things are working behind the scenes. The vendors are aplenty and trade is brisk. Experience something of the exotic nature of a gem show.
Rockhounding: Paris Rock and Mineral Show, Ontario
Ontario rockhound location - lost and forgotten collecting sites
Bancroft Rockhounding Locations that have been lost or Forgotten
In this article you will learn about Bancroft rockhounding locations that over time have been lost or forgotten and how to refind some of them.
Ontario Rockhound Location - Prospecting for Gold in Ontario
Prospecting for Gold in Ontario: A Complete Guide for Dark Star Crystal Mines
In this article we explore what it is that defines prospecting for Gold in Ontario. The geology and glacial influence and how human beings become part of the process.
International Rockhound Travel Articles
​Discover our international rockhound travel articles featuring the world’s most iconic mineral destinations, including the opal mines of Coober Pedy, a diamond mine in South Africa, and the legendary Kashmir sapphire fields, with expert insights on geology, mining history, and crystal collecting adventures.
International Rockhound Travel articles - Coober Pedy Opals
Coober Pedy - Mad Max Wasteland
In this article on mining for opal in Coober Pedy we explore the absurdity of this sun scarred landscape and the incredible opals that it yields.
International rockhound travel articles - Sri Lankan Gemstones
Sri Lankan Gemstones
This article is about Sri Lankan Gemstones, where they come from, how they are found and the ancient geology that produced them. You will read about how Kashmir sapphires compare, which riivers produce the best gems and what gems Sri Lanka is famous for.
International Rockhound travel articles - South African Diamond Mine
African Diamond Mines
In this article on Bultfontien, an African Diamond Mine, we learn something of the enormity of the effort to extract diamonds from amongst the deepest places in the earth.
International rockhound travel articles - Kashmir Sapphire
​In this article on Kashmir Sapphire, we re-visit the beauty and historical significance of this famed Victorian gemstone.
Kashmir Sapphire
International rockhound travel articles - Pay to dig mines in US and Ontario
Best Pay to Dig Mines: Ontario vs US
This article compares pay to dig mines in the US and Ontario. Each person is best suited to a different kind of rockhounding experience. This article helps you decide what is good for you based on your experience and ambition.
How to Rockhound in Ontario Geology Articles
​Learn how to rockhound in Ontario geology with practical guides on finding crystal vein dykes, recognizing transitions in local rocks and minerals, choosing the right prospecting tools, and identifying quartz crystals, so you can safely and successfully discover collectible specimens in the field.
How to find Crystal Vein Dykes in Ontario
One of the more important aspects of finding rocks and minerals in Ontario, something every crystal collector should know, its finding crystal vein dykes.
How to Rockhound - Crystal vein dykes in Ontario
How to rockhound - identifying Quartz Crystal
Canadian Crystal Dealers share How to Identify your Quartz Crystals
In this article we explore the subtle clues that help you identify your crystal as being of the quartz variety as well as such things as it's handedness and twinning.
In this article I reveal the potential of Ontario for rockhounding. I speak about several regions that are especially known for their minerals and explain where the best places for rockhounding in Ontario are.
Best places for Rockhounding in Ontario
Ontario rockhound location - Best places for Rockhounding in Ontario
How to rockhound - Finding placer Gold and Diamonds in Ontario
Finding Placer Gold and Diamonds in Ontario
In this article you will find how to discover placer gold and diamonds in Ontario. we will look a glaciers and how they interacted with Ontario's bed rock and how the resulting deposits help prospectors and rockhounds find gold and diamonds..
Ontario rocks and minerals and crystals are best found when you understand the power of locating geological transitions - read on to strengthen your prospecting abilities.
Prospect for Transitions in Ontario Rocks and Minerals
How to Rockhound - Prospecting for transitions
How to Rockhound - Igneous Rock
Igneous Rock in the Bancroft Area
In this article we explore how igneous rocks form and in particular, their expression in the Bancroft Area. We look at the pegmatites and other intrusions as well as the transition from Basalt to Granite.
How to Rockhound - Reading the Best Road Cuts in Bancroft
Best Road Cuts in Bancroft
In this article I explain the subtle art of reading road cuts and finding mineral specimens in them. This approach to rockhounding is geared toward beginner collectors, but advanced rockhounds can possibly learn as well.
How to Identify Metamorphic rock in the Bancroft Area
How to rockhound - How to identify Metamorphic Rock
In this article you will discover how to identify metamorphic rock in Bancroft as well as learn about the various interactions between rocks and how they change under heat and pressure. Some Bancroft examples will be given.
How to rockhound - proper tools for Ontario rockhounding
​A Crystal Collector shares Pitfalls of half-assed Tool Selection
In this article we discuss the appropriate selection of tools for rockhounding and crystal collecting.
How to rockhound - Rockhounding in the Bancroft area
Rockhounding in Bancroft
In this article the basics of rockhounding in Bancroft, Ontario are explained so any new rockhound will understand what is needed to find great crystals for your collection.
Rules and Regulations around Ontario Rockhounding
How to rockhound - Rules and Regulations around Ontario Rockhounding
In this article you will learn about the evolution of Ontario rockhounding as a hobby, its rise and fall in popularity and also the development of rockhounding rules as imposed by the CCFMA and the Provincial Government.
Rockhounding Industrial Minerals in Ontario
Explore rockhounding industrial minerals in Ontario through articles on Canada’s search for strategic minerals, the nation’s rare earth element supply, and the growing global scramble for critical resources that power modern technology and green energy.
Rockhounding Industrial Minerals - Rare earths in Ontario
Rare Earth Elements in Ontario: Geographical Distribution, Apatite, and Canad's Strategic Advantage
This article is about Ontario's placement in the scramble for rare earths in the global market and the development and extraction initiatives that they have been pursuing.
Rockhounding Industrial Minerals - Strategic Minerals in Ontario
Critical Rocks and Minerals in Ontario
The world focus on critical minerals is at a tipping point, they are needed, they are in short supply due to China’s monopoly and China will use this monopoly to create scarcity. Ontario rocks and minerals are vital to our survival.
Rockhounding Industrial Minerals - Radioactive Minerals in Bancroft, Ontario
How to find Uranium in Bancroft: Radioactive Crystals, Geology & the Global Uranium Story
This article is about the exploration, extraction and rockhounding of radioactive minerals in the Bancroft area of Ontario, namely thorite and uranite.