Now offering massage sessions at Sky Farm

Just started offering massage at Sky Farm

New focus of content

I'm changing the flare of this blog to be one of Nutrition.  Things related to diet and exercise. 

Places to buy minerals and crystals

So ... where exactly do you get cool specimens of minerals? Depends what you think is cool I guess. And, what flavor of rock collector you are. Some people like rough rocks. Some people like polished rocks. Some people are into metaphysical, new age themes. Some people want things from certain locations. Some people like fluorite only. Some people like certain colors. You catch my drift.

I have found eBay to be a great source. However, you need to make sure you find a reputable dealer. Someone who stands behind their product. Because all you're going on is a couple of photographs. And, sometimes the photos do not adequately represent the specimen. Especially if you take a picture in the sun. Things will look lighter, light will bounce off - perhaps create visual anomalies. Then when you get the crystal or mineral - it just doesn't look like it did. It's these times that you need to have a good seller - who will stand behind what they sell and take it back if you're not happy. And, taking it back means no restocking fee. I guess finding good eBay sellers would be a post on its own.

Back to where else to get rocks. You can go to rock shows. I wonder if I posted this already? Maybe I did. Okay. Rock shows - if you're lucky you may have some rock shows close to your home.

You can go to museum gift shops, science stores, other online stores.

It's easier to buy something when you can see it and hold it. But, you can be limiting yourself if you do it this way. There are tons of other things you can find online that you couldn't find at a rock show. And, online, there's no real pressure. You can take your time. But, of course, you could wind up losing what you wanted online.

I get mine from eBay, rock shows, gift shops. I sort of prefer online shopping - with some of my favorite sellers. Only because when I go to a show, I feel confused and overwhelmed. I already have so many nice things, I have a hard time finding really neat new things that knock my socks off.

Crystal & Stone Fun Facts

 Crystals and stones are interesting, indeed. I look at them in wonderment and amazement. Through the ages, people have collected them, used them for decorations, adornments, polished them, carved them, combined them, used them for healings, meditations. And, they all mostly grew from within the Earth. Or, as a result of a volcano erupting, or under the seas. There are also meteorites which crashed into the Earth.

One of these days, I would love to go dig at a quartz mine. I suppose that Arkansas would be the closest - with the greatest reward. When I was growing up, my older brother collected rocks. And, of course, I copied him and decided that I wanted to collect rocks, too. We used to go to quarries in NJ and nearby states, to dig for rocks. Nothing elaborate. Just kind of kicking around dirt to see what is underneath. And, in NJ we have 2 popular mines - Sterling Hill and Franklin Mine. But, they don't have the wonderful quartz points and clusters there that you can find in Arkansas. I've recently heard of a quartz mine in NJ. It's a bit off the beaten path, and I'm not sure I'll ever get a chance to go.

I've been to the popular caverns - Howe Caverns in NY, Luray Caverns in VA, and countless smaller caverns in PA and through VA. Of course, you're not allowed to take specimens from the caverns. You go on the tour, gaze in amazement, and then go to the gift shop to see if you can find anything good.

My intention here is to add information about rocks, stones, crystals that I think is interesting. I'm always learning new things about them and wanted to share that with you all. In this light, if there are any discrepancies in what I've written, or if you'd like to share some things, then please post a comment.


Please click on the tabby at the top of the page, below the title - which will direct you to the Crystal and Stone Fun Facts Blog which I created.

First post

A few years ago, we traveled to West Virginia and had the opportunity to visit the Luray Caverns in Virginia. It was a drive to get there from where we were staying, but definitely worth the visit. I had been there when I was little - but have no recollection of it, as one's memories become lost and somehow detached upon getting older. Well, that's what happened to mine, anyway.

In order to get to the cavern, you have to descend this huge staircase down. It was tough because our youngest was in a stroller, and we had to carry the stroller and her down. And, then back up at the end. This was before we had gotten her wheelchair - else we could have used the wheelchair lift. Anyway, maneuvering the cavern with a child in a stroller was no problem. We had been to other caverns where this was not the case. But, Luray is definitely stroller and wheelchair friendly.

I remember how cool it was and muffled it seemed down there. It was amazing to think of this huge cavern down below the surface of the Earth. You can see some photos at the Luray Cavern website.

The stalactites and stalagmites are made from calcite. They are huge and hang from the ceilings above and grow from the floors below. They make you feel so small. If you need help remembering the difference between the two, then remember this, the stalactite has a T where the stalagmite has an M. And, a T would hang from the ceiling, whereas an M would be planted on the ground and go up.

Also at the Luray Cavern website is info on the cavern formation and how it is part of the Appalachian mountains. It all started 600 million years ago with the continental drift of the Americas from Europe and Africa. Then for 400 million years, there was an ancient sea which occupied the area which is now the Appalachian mountains. Take a look at the National Park Service website which shows the Appalachian Trail. It is a hiking trail which goes from Maine to Georgia. How neat is that !