Before setting out on the life time journey of becoming a collector of Rocks and Minerals it is important to understand the difference between the two.
Rocks make up the solid part of the Earths crust. All rocks consist of minerals which have a crystalline structure. Rocks consist of a combination of minerals so may consist of many others or only two.
Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic solids. Consisting either of a element or mixture of elements.
A mineral has to be able to grow and crystallize in an open space. It also needs to grow over a long period of time. The quicker the growth the smaller the crystals.
At this point in time their are about 4000 odd known minerals with the list growing every year as new discoveries are made.
Collecting Rocks and Minerals as a hobby:
Their are many collectors around the world and this hobby has become a multi-million dollar industry. In South Africa their are a number of clubs which organize field trips for their members. The clubs are also a good place to share your interest and further your knowledge.
The international market for good specimens is huge and their are cases where large sums of money are paid for specimens. A knowledgeable collector whose collection has been built over the years can also look forward to a highly valuable long term investment.
Some collectors because of the huge diversity of minerals will choose to either specialize in a specific type of mineral or a location. In Southern Africa Tsumeb and Kuruuman are highly rated location's fun part of collecting is that by trading in your collection you can build toward a better quality and more valuable collection.
If you are interested in joining a club contact the Federation Of Southern African Gem and Mineralogical Societies. You will find a link to their website in our links section
