COLLECTING EQUIPMENT
From the United States Geological Survey.
The beginning collector needs two pieces of somewhat specialized equipment-a geologist’s hammer and a hand lens. The hammer is used to break off fresh rock specimens and to trim them to display size. It can be purchased through hardware stores or scientific supply houses. The head of a geologist’s hammer has one blunt hammering end. The other end of the most versatile and widely used style is a pick. Another popular style-the chisel type-has one chisel end; it is used mostly in soft sedimentary rocks and in collecting fossils.
The hand lens, sometimes called a pocket magnifier, is used to identify mineral grains. Hand lenses can be purchased in jewelry stores, optical shops, or scientific supply houses. Six-power to ten-power magnification is best. Optically uncorrected hand lenses are inexpensive and quite satisfactory, but the advanced collector will want an optically corrected lens.
Other pieces of necessary equipment are inexpensive and easy to find: a knapsack to carry specimens, equipment, and food; bags and paper in which to wrap individual specimens; a notebook for keeping field notes until more permanent records can be made; and a packet knife, helpful in many ways, especially to test the hardness of mineral grains.
On some collecting trips, additional equipment is needed. Sledge hammers can be used to break especially hard ledges of rock. Cold chisels often make it possible to loosen specimens. Dilute hydrochloric acid helps in identifying limestone and dolomite. A long list could be made of such equipment; the collector must decide for each expedition which tools are really worth the weight.

ROCK FINDING and FASHIONING EQUIPMENT

Power Tools
Rotary rock tumbler
Vibrating rock tumbler
Trim saw
Slab saw
Grinding wheel
Wet grinding belt
High polishing wheel
Wet belt sander
Cab maker wheels
Diamond drill press
Bead mill
Bull wheel
Faceting machine
Horizontal lap grinder
Sphere grinding machine
Vibrating lap
Diamond band saw
Core drills
Task light
Ultrasonic cleaner
Carving tools
Glass lathe
Glass engraver
Wet polishing tool
Buffer
Cabochon combination machine
Scale
Flat lap

Hand Tools
Vise
Chisel edge rock pick/hammer
Pointed tip rock pick/hammer
Crack hammer
Treasure scoop
Rock chisels
Pry bar
Gold pan
Magnifier
Clamps
Anvil
Buckets
Files
Tweezers
Safety glasses
Shovel
Standard Pick
Paleo pick or Hoe pick
Epoxy
Metal smithing tools
Vinyl apron
Hardness pick set
Prying chisel
Micrometer
Classifier pan
Rock spliter
Hand lense
Acid