Rockhounding Tool Kit

Rather than separate this article into different sections based on terrain, I will do my best below to outline the full kit of tools that I employ when headed out on a rock hunting trip. Many of the items that I have purchased are for ease of transport or ease of collection. You don't always need a 5 gallon bucket and chisels, but, sometimes you do.

Transportation - 

Sometimes it isn't about having enough tools. It is about transporting the tools needed to the dig site.

This is the cart that I currently use. It doesn't need to be a Gorilla cart. When purchasing a cart, ensure you buy one that is rated to be used outdoors. At the least. This is my third cart and has made it up mountains, over rocks, and into quarries for over a season of rock hunting. Where I live it tends to get very wet, so the 360 degree rotating front wheels are a trip saver when encountering mud. Front pockets on this model are great for bug spray, whistles, band-aids, and other miscellaneous goods. I will post a picture at the bottom of this article displaying my DIY cart that lasted approximately one trip in the wild. RIP.

There are plenty of rock hunting trips where taking a cart is not necessary. Backpacks are great for smaller specimen mining or for terrain where larger tools need not be packed. This is my current backpack that I am looking forward to breaking in, this upcoming season. The more pockets, the better, I say. Included in this photo is the insulated cooler bag that I use for snacks and drinks. Any lunchbox, will do. If you are interested in this model, here it is.

Containers - 

Important to note here that ANY rock hound should not haul out more specimens than they have the means to attend.

Of course, front and center, is the five gallon bucket. Staple of any rock hunting trip. You can buy accessories for ease of us (grip covers, lids, etc...) if the simple plastic grip/metal handle are too uncomfortable. These items can be found all over Amazon. You can see one of my buckets does have braided rope integrated in the form of backpack straps. Allowing for the ability to rotate arms in the instance that both buckets are full. My tools are transported in the yellow container, above. Exterior is a thick double layered mesh like material supported by a metal frame, that travels up the handle itself. Found at the local Goodwill. Most importantly, it's durable, comfortable to carry, and dries out in new like condition post-trip. However, the star of the show, with having kids in tow, are the black and blue bags pictured. They are advertised on Amazon as seashell bags but I can attest they handle rocks of all sizes and shapes. Best of all, they have a zipper!

This is an item which may not be necessary depending on the terrain of where rocks are being excavated. However, when you need one, having a water sprayer can save you from hauling back unwanted weight. This model holds two gallons, same as this one, and provides solid pressure to clean most any specimen in the wild.

Tools - 

Tools break down into two categories; hand held and long handled. Let's start with the smaller versions or hand held tools.

Like any profession, smaller tools are sort of a hodgepodge of brands collected over years based on effectiveness or familiarity. Gloves and safety goggles are a must when working with tools of ANY size. I have found a UV light, operating at a 365nm wavelength, to be of use for identifying minerals on site. Pro tip, get one with a USB-C port. Last but not least before identifying the collection tools, is a brush. Preferably with a loop handle atop to avoid scraping your hands. OK, onto the tools:

  • Hand Cultivator - Can move soil, rake rocks and snag specimens when flipped. This is the MVP.
  • Drilling Hammer - For harder materials and creating cracks to begin extraction.
  • Geology Hammer - For softer materials and freeing already cracked specimens.
  • Masonry Chisel Set - Different tips for ALL situations. I suggest having one of each, on hand.
  • Gad Bar - Better known as a pry bar. I prefer 14 inches. They come in all sizes.

Outside shovels, I rarely have a 'large tool' with me, on any trip. Do remember that ANY tool you bring has to fit into the dig site in question. Note that power tools are outlawed in rock hunting where I live. Unsure if that is a national law. This pinch point bar, pictured above, is the next best thing. This one is 60 inches and carries a PUNCH for loosening up hard soil or deep veins. Can tire out the arms pretty quick, too. Will post a picture at the bottom of this article of a vein I dug out with this tool. For the shovels, here in the line up:

  • Large Shovel - Prefer a 56 inch length, non-slip pedals are a MUST.
  • Saw Blade, Short Shovel - Blades are helpful with certain soils. Not always necessary.
  • Short Shovel - 28 inches, standard shovel. I prefer this size when digging inside a hole.
  • Fold-able Shovel - Especially helpful if travelling with only a backpack.

Finished Product & Promised Pictures - 

Here is what my cart looks like with all of the tools and containers above, aboard. Pockets full of miscellaneous safety supplies, as mentioned towards the top of this article. If you think something or someplace is dangerous, it's probably best to steer clear. With that said, I hope you found this article helpful in terms of putting together your own rock hounding kits.

Here is the amethyst and calcite vein that I mined with the 60 inch pinch point bar, posted above. Was completely submerged under the soil, in the pit of a well traveled quarry. Soil was compact.

Here is the DIY cart that I made during COVID. It clearly did not have 360 degree rotating front wheels. That was ultimately what doomed its near maiden voyage.