Have You Heard of Rockhounding?

Rockhounding, the activity of searching for and collecting rocks, fossils or minerals, has gained in popularity, inspiring many to set out in search of some truly unique souvenirs. Now, groups who are interested in taking on their own rockhounding adventure can take advantage of Travel Nevada's new guide, "On the Hunt: A Guide to Rockhounding in Nevada."

Having debuted in honor of National Miners Day (December 6), the downloadable guide is designed to help aspiring and established rockhounders and gem collectors discover and mine for their own precious rocks, minerals, and gems in Nevada. "On the Hunt: A Guide to Rockhounding in Nevada'' provides entry-level information on respectful rockhounding, as well as tips, tools needed, maps and resources for gem identification.

Nevada, nicknamed the "Silver State," has a long and established mining history, with America's largest silver deposit, the Comstock Lode, having been found in Nevada in 1859. The silver that was discovered in the state has produced more than $300 million dollars, much of which helped fund the development of the West Coast.

"Today, Nevada is the largest gold-producing state in the U.S. and fourth-largest in the world," said Dr. Josh Bonde, director of the Nevada State Museum, Carson City. "Nevada has a deep and varied geologic history that has allowed for the formation of other fossils and gemstones including black fire opal, turquoise, amethyst, garnet and many more."

With 80% public lands and more than 70 million acres, professional and amateur geologists and miners have virtually infinite options for discovering rare and precious gems in Nevada. To help these travelers get a truly authentic experience, Travel Nevada developed this guide to help them strike gold (or other precious stones) at some of the state's most gem-filled locations: Gemfield, Garnet Hill, Royal Peacock Opal Mine and Bonanza Opal Mines.

"Whether you're looking for a stone to put on display in your home or a precious gem for a custom necklace, Nevada's unmatched landscape makes it the ideal place to find exactly what you're looking for," said Brenda Scolari, director of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. "This guide is designed to help a first-time or an experienced rockhounder have a one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure."

The guide is available for download by clicking here. Visit Travel Nevada to learn more about rockhounding in the state.

Courtesy of Groups Today.

 Photos Courtesy of Sydney Martinez, Courtesy of Travel Nevada.