Let’s Go Find Some Rocks

And Make Some Jewelry!

There are not many things I love more than being outside, especially if it means hiking. My husband and I are lucky enough to live in an area that provides so many opportunities for adventure, and I’m so excited to start sharing some of those adventures on here. For my first journal post, I thought it would be interesting to see some a behind the scenes look at one of my favorite adventures, rock hunting!

The three photos above are taken at three of my favorite spots in Appalachia to go searching for natural quartz and other stones or minerals. The three locations are stunning, each offering its own unique beauty that beckons exploration. As I wander through these places, I am guaranteed to stumble upon handfuls of quartz and other stones, scattered like hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. The sheer abundance of these natural gems makes the decision of what to bring home a challenging task, as each piece seems to hold a story and beauty of its own, making the selection process a delightful dilemma.

Hunting for rocks in Appalachia comes with the fun side quest of finding a variety of salamanders. Although it’s always awesome to see them in their natural habitat, I do my best at not turning over/picking up any large rocks they may be hiding under. I also tend to search on the river beaches, where they don’t usually hang out. Most recently, I saw a bright orange eastern newt while swimming near some falls in the middle picture :)

Seeing cute little salamanders or other wildlife along these hikes often inspire the jewelry make out of them once I get home, hence most of the names of the jewelry you may see here. It’s always a fun challenge to see if I can pull off the vision for a piece of jewelry I have out on the river once I get home. You can catch these cool pieces in The Rock Garden!