Welcome to Prospecting Tips & Skills ⛏️, a weekly 3-part series where we take what we know from the field and turn it into practical skills you can actually use. Every Tuesday, I’ll be sharing 3 different prospecting tips, tricks, skills, or things to look for while you’re out exploring.

One of the areas I always pay attention to in the field is the contact zone — where two different rock types meet. Why? Because changes in geology can sometimes create the right conditions for minerals, veins, crystals, and other interesting material to occur. 🔎 What should you look for? • A noticeable change from one rock type to another • Quartz veins cutting through or following the boundary • Changes in color, texture, or hardness • Fractures and broken-up rock along the contact • Mineralization or unusual-looking float nearby • Crystals or altered rock that don't match the surrounding material The important thing is not to assume every contact zone contains something valuable. Think of it as a geological clue that tells you, “Pay closer attention here.” 🧭 FIELD TIP: When you find an interesting contact, don't just stop at the first piece of float. Follow the contact through the landscape and see where it leads. Look for exposed bedrock, float patterns, veins, and changes in the surrounding geology. Sometimes the best clue isn't the specimen itself — it's the geology around it. 💬 YOUR TURN: Have you ever found an interesting mineral or crystal near a contact zone? Tell us what you found and what the surrounding rock looked like!

Sorry for the no rock post today been busy updating the website. On other good news we have a new friend. Well not much of one he was not happy with me say no. Any one meet there outdoor companion for the start of the week. 👇