Yup, rock hound here. I was even a member of the Gem and Mineral Society of Colorado. Although I can not tell you the names of all of them (Started collecting during my early years when sex, DRUGS and rock and roll were the main focus). I have quite the collection, some I bought and some I dug up my self in the mountains of Colorado. In fact our living room is devoted to them, unicorns, wizards and dragons. Lots of clear and smokey Quarts, Malachite, Amethyst, Tiger Eye, Apache tears, Geodes, Garnet and a small ruby specimen I found at Ruby Mountain in Buena (sp?) Vista Colorado.

As far as energies, yes I believe they have some powers but I do not spend much effort on them. Use to many moons ago, in fact I still think it was a dragon/crystal pendant that brought me and the wife together. less

My husband and I have an entire cabinet full and then some. We used to go to all the rock and gem shows, but funds have been a little tight lately. Since we've moved, all of our crystals and whatnot have been boxed up. It just doesn't feel the same without them out. less

Sure, that's how most of us start. A good friend of mine would take me camping to area's that had crystals/minerals and we would walk along and find neat looking rocks, a spray bottle with water will tell you how they would look if polished. He even had a cheap tumbler to polish our finds. Great for kids and adults too. The more you do it the more you find. Next thing you know you are finding semi-precious jems/stones and you are hooked. Great hobby and you may even make a few buck too. less