Urban Rockhounding: Gems in the City
You don't need wilderness to find cool rocks. Look down in the concrete jungle.
Landscaping Rock
Businesses and parking lots often import tons of river rock for landscaping. These piles can be full of agates, jaspers, and petrified wood. While you shouldn't steal from private property, checking the edges of public areas or asking permission can yield surprises.
Construction Sites
New excavations for buildings dig deep into the earth, often exposing layers that haven't been seen in millions of years. Fossils and mineral veins can be unearthed. Always get permission—construction sites are dangerous and legally restricted.
Beaches and Lakeshores
Even city beaches can be great for sea glass and wave-polished stones. Lake Michigan beaches in Chicago, for example, are known for crinoid fossils and slag glass.
Building Facades
Look at the buildings themselves! Many older banks and government buildings are clad in high-quality polished granite, marble, or limestone. You can often see large feldspar crystals or fossils right in the walls of downtown buildings.