A richly illustrated volume directed to gemologists and serious gem collectors.

Become an explorer of the rock & fossil world. Discover the wonderful world of rocks and fossils with more than 30 easy-to-do fun activities, plus stunning pictures and amazing facts.

Welcome to rockhounding in Utah. In this best-selling guide, the gem hunter is led to landscapes as diverse as the gems, minerals, and fossils found there. B/W photos highlight the collecting area. A special color section aids in identifying the specimens. Ideal for both the rockhound who is just starting out and for the collector who has been discovering Utah's treasures for years.

This is the story of one man's endeavor to discover precious gems and to lead a life filled with loyal friends and extraordinary adventures. He finds it all in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan but not without risking his life. In this book Gary W. Bowersox spins his tales of thirty two years of discovery both introspective and worldwide. Along the way he encounters danger and intrigue as he builds lasting friendships. He has traded gems and stories with Afghan miners, ethnic peoples, freedom fighters, government officials, scientist, and on a few occasions, international spies.

Follow in the footsteps of successful gem and gold hunters and search the hills for rough diamonds, colored gemstones, lapidary minerals, precious metals and interesting minerals and rocks. Written for the geoscientist, prospector and rockhound; the first part of the book focuses on physical characteristics of gems and minerals. This is supplemented with the second part of the book that describes dozens upon dozens of colored gem, diamond, gold, mineral and rock localities using the Public Land Survey System and GPS coordinates so the reader can visit these sites on a home computer with aerial and satellite imagery to gain an understanding of what to look for in the field. With these same coordinates, the reader can visit some occurrences, deposits and areas suggested for prospecting to further their gem hunter prospecting education and potentially lead to new discoveries. Now you can learn what to look for when searching for Mother Nature's treasure.