Customer Reviews

Colorado Rockhounding: A Guide to Minerals, Gemstones, and Fossils (Rock Collecting)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Several years ago, I made a swing through Colorado and, as always, collected rocks and minerals [mainly for my class that I teach at a California high school]. This book was at my side and served me well, leading to many beautiful specimens [and two blown tires-it was an excellent trip]. I never failed to find a site and all sites were better than average quality. Warning: many of these sites are at high elevation and may involve a little hiking [I'm out of shape and stayed to the sites close to the roads and still had quite a haul]. As always, please collect respectfully and only in places where it is legal to collect.

I am giving this book a three star rating, I believe that it was a five star rating when first published. My copy shows a copyright of 1994 and a fifth printing in 2000. I enjoyed the historic and background geology information provided by the author. It was good evening reading. I did have problems in locating the sites listed. Colorado has grown a bit since 1994. I prefer the detailed format in the falcon guides. They do not have the background Voynick's book does but they get you to most of the sites. In all cases I would like to see the authors show the dates they visited recommended sites.

I spent most of the last week in the Salida/Buena Vista/Royal Gorge area, and wasted ALOT of money on gas trying to find some of the fantastic mine tailings dumps and rock shops claimed to be in the area by this book. When one of the most highly recommended rock shops turned out to have been closed for five years, I started to wonder. I realized this book is just a summary of articles from Rock and Gem magazine, and many date back to the 1960s or earlier (1917???)! This book should be classified as fiction. For that matter, a few months back I tried to contact the state of Utah for permission to pan in the easements, as recommended in an article in R & G. They were horrified and knew nothing about it! It is illegal in Utah to be in the easements unless it is an emergency. So those of you planning a trip out west, don't base your agenda on either of these sources! Mitchell is cheaper and more reliable.

This book has alot of information...it is a little tough to decypher at times. For me I would like to see it more user friendly.

This text is the authority on Colorado rocks, crystals, gemstones, precious metals,fossils, and minerals. Organized by Colorado county, the reader can be assured of a level of focus and control in field exploration, seldom available in other texts. You will likely return home with at lease samples of your interests. The author discusses both the minerals themselves, their history in Colorado, and the logistics to finding them in the field. It is comprehensive, historically accurate, and specific as to the locations of hundreds of unique Colorado geologic materials. Although somewhat dated, the minerals have been there for millions of years!

I'm on my second copy of this gem, having worn out my first. This is THE book I take with me when I go hounding for rocks in Colorado. I've found the maps and directions included with each entry usually good enough to get me to the location, and with the help of a topo map I've never failed to find the site. Clear, concise, readable, and well organized (by county), it will become your companion on your rockhounding trips.
I drop one star because it does need to be updated (as opposed to just reprinted) and could have more sites from eastern Colorado. Make it even better and have GPS cited locations. Even with these drawbacks, a great resource for those with rocks in the head.

I wore out my first book and had to buy another this year!!! Have collected in many of the sites listed and found lots of garnets, topaz, amazonite, aquamarine, opal, marble, and of course smokey quarts crystals. This is the best resource I've found for being successful in rock collecting. My kids have their own copies now that they keep in their cars, and many day trips are spent at the sites listed. Author speaks in everyday language so those of us that are not geologists can actually find these gems. It has been a really fun family hobby for us, and we owe our success to this author!!! Highly Recommend this book!!!!

A little more technical than I need; but I will still get good use out of this reference book. Thank you!

This books makes for great reading, plus is a field guide. We haven't been able to go to the sites yet as of this year (because of all the snow lately here in Colorado) but we are looking forward to using the book in the upcoming summer months. The introduction has a lot of interesting information about the history of Colorado mining, mine safety, types of minerals that can be found, the way the Rockies were formed, dinosaurs, fossils, and warnings about private property, etc. So far we've really liked it, and can't wait to put it to use. Basic maps are shown of the areas, has b/w photos, and also has a small color-photo section that shows minerals and where they were found. Bought this toghther with the updated version of Kappele's Rockhounding guide. Would recommend for reading or guide.