Hello and welcome.  My name's Steve and I'm a rockhound.  For the uninitiated, it's someone that goes and finds rocks and brings them back home.  As a hobby.  Of course, not just any old rocks but those with characteristics that make them beautiful to the eyes of the beholder.  Although each and every stone has it's own, often complicated story to tell, rockhounds generally focus on a few types that can be cut, polished, and worked into objects of art.  There are also many fossils and minerals that can be collected and make great display items.

When I was a kid, my uncle had a rock shop located on the Oregon coast in a small hamlet that has long since been engulfed by Newport.  This was my first introduction to the hobby and it's been a great interest ever since.  Alas, my uncle was not able to make a living with the shop so he became a denturist.  We all have to eat.  That was over 40 years ago.  So fast forward to the present day.  With the advent of the internet, it's no longer a major requirement to have a physical storefront (although that's an eventual goal) and one can view things, buy and sell products, and provide resources at great distances if need be.  So with all that said, this blog has been started to share interest and info in rockhounding.  It goes in tandem with my online rock shop 'Steve's Rock Shop and Miscellany'.  Check it out at www.stevesrockshopandmiscellany.com.  If that's to much to remember or spell, try www.stevesrockshop.com.  Add these urls to your list of favorites!

I'll hopefully cover a great many topics pertaining to rockhounding such as different kinds of collecting material, places to go, and different types of gear to make trips more successful.  Some topics will be political as huge influxes of people bring about changes to rules and regulations regarding collecting.  Plus, as none of us live in a vacuum, there may be an off-topic discourse every once in a while.  Both this blog and the rock shop are works-in-progress.  I'm not all-knowing and I've had no formal training as a writer, but I try.  And I learn.  Your comments are welcome.  If you disagree with my facts, enlighten me.  If you disagree with my opinions, please state the logic behind yours.  There are many rock collecting expeditions under my belt so if there are some bits of knowledge
and experience that you would like discussed, let me know.

Well, so much for the introduction.  The first topic will be about some basic equipment.  Check back soon!

Steven Tonole