My dad got me my first specimen when I was maybe 6 or so. At 11 he brought me to an Arkansas diamond mine for an impromptu vacation and got me a couple small quartz pieces from a garage sale in town. Like a lot of kids, I was into crystals and had a small collection, but it wasn’t anything to brag about at a mineral show. I didn’t get into collecting until just under thirty years later. 

I started purchasing collectors pieces just a few years ago and prior to that, I was hunting and mining on my own to learn more. I went through a rough patch in life as many in their mid thirties, and I needed something to help me over the hump. I was a big time mineral interested lurker here on the Reddits and I figured getting more active in my interest might keep me at least occupied enough to help keep my mind off of the things that were effecting me. And I’m so glad I did because this is my pride incarnate currently, and moreover, I’ve made some awesome memories. 

Cool thing is now my dad and I work together and travel for a living. While we travel the country, we stop when able and go to mainly public (but sometimes private) mines or areas known for mineral production and see what new memories we can make.

Sometimes I have a hard time seeing the things in life I should appreciate and then appreciating them. I’m glad I found something that kept me right and helped me see the things in life that matter most.

For the record, I mean rocks. My dads cool tho 😎

Rate my amateur collection?