Discovering hidden treasures. Find gemstones among river rocks

My apartment complex recently did some landscaping around the pool and office areas. They removed the mulch and replaced it with river rocks. While out walking my dog, my curiosity took hold. I wondered if I could find some gems among them.

Surprisingly, on my first try I found a raw broken stone. From the outside matrix I knew it was a dark stone, but when I turned it over, I could see the shiny black obsidian I knew. The next day I casually search again and found a red jasper. These raw specimens have their own beauty and magic. I saw another stone I will investigate on another walk. It is black with pink spots. I believe it may be a rhodonite.

Searching out these stones is a nice break in the monotony of walking the same area. It would be a fun activity for children as well. They could find jaspers, bloodstone, agate, chalcedony, calcite, obsidian, petrified and many more. It is an engaging way for them to learn about the mineral kingdom.

Walking beside a river that flows from the mountains is an excellent place to find gemstones. Beaches will yield these treasures as well. Walking in a forest I found a calcite stone that was still transforming from its original seashell. The earth reveals its bounty in many places if you keep your eyes open.

Happy hunting!