rock hound gem hunter (Cookeville: work, university, hunting)

[crazydog]

Hi, looking for info on what area of the state has some good gem and rock hunting for collecting and making jewelry? My wife is a crafts person who makes jewelry and candles and such (shes been doing it for years) and would like an area where other craft people gather. Any suggestions? Thanks Jim

[alleycat]

I'm thinking the Cumberland Plateau and East Tennesseee would be the best rock hunting grounds; however, I'm no expert. Maybe someone else will have more information.

The Appalachian Arts Center and the Appalachian Crafts Center would be a good places to start for crafts.

[crazydog]

Thanks Alley, kind of suprised there is not more info on this subject from ppl in Tennessee. Wife makes gel and wax candles, does jewelry and other items. I like to ride my scoot and look for semi and precious stones. Well maybe ppl down there don't do too much hunting. Thanks for your time . Jim

[alleycat]

Well, there's probably a few rock hounds around in the area; they're probably just out looking for rocks at the moment. It's great weather for it . . . warm and dry.

Arrowheads are a big thing around here too. Finding them and making them. There's some kind of club in the area where the members practice "flint knapping".

Let me see if I can find more info for you. I seem to remember a Tennessee Rock Hound Club, or something like that.

Back already . . .

This is the link to the Middle Tennessee Rockhounds: http://www.rockhound.org/ They have some links to other sites concerning rock hunting in the area. I hope that helps a little.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by alleycat

I'm thinking the Cumberland Plateau and East Tennesseee would be the best rock hunting grounds; however, I'm no expert. Maybe someone else will have more information.

The Appalachian Arts Center and the Appalachian Crafts Center would be a good places to start for crafts.

Here's the web site for the Appalachian Center for Craft (which is part of Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville):

http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/

But it doesn't look like they have anything related to gems. They do have jewelry-making, but it looks like it's part of their metalworks program.