Customer Reviews:
 Rock Solid June 8, 2000
William Welbourne
43 out of 43 found this review helpful
This book really is solid. It's got some of the best information on everything you'll need to be right in the middle of all that this great big state of California has to offer. I have traveled to 14 sites so far, and almost all of them have been productive and well worth the trip. What I like most is the extra types of information given; like the best season to look for gems and minerals at a particular site, and the specific tools you'll need. Especially appreciated are the alternate maps that are recommended, like the USGS and the BLM, which match up right to the book. Way to go and thank you very much!
Pretty, pretty, good! April 14, 2008
Jordan J. Gruenwald
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Well this is a pretty cool book with some great general descriptions of various areas in the big california district. Another key buy would be gem trails of socal more focused on the socal region.
 just what I was looking for! October 1, 2003
BRIAN D BRIM (CHICO, CA United States)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
got the book last night, found crystals the next day. I am going for jasper tommorrow. great book!
Rockhounding California September 20, 2008
Robert F. Ritchie (Freeport, Maine)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This small book presents a great deal of information that can be helpful to the reader searching for locations and facts about minerals and gems. Using the instructions i was able to find the locations on Google Earth even though the book did not give give coordinates. the instructions are well written and clear. in only a few instances did I find ambiguous directions.
For some materials it is the only description of the source, something very sadly missing for many purchases.
 lost with a map July 6, 2001
Dean (Redlands, CA)
38 out of 42 found this review helpful
A friend of mine recently got me interested in rockhounding and we went and purchased this book... Anyway, we went to a random site and the maps, although detailed with mileage, don't show distance to site from areas in california. Example, distance from Barstow to Ludlow? YOU have to go there to see the mileagle sign. Secondly, there needs to be better markers on where to turn for these dirt roads. A few sites were passed due to not being where they "should be". I really would hate to take some unmarked road for 10 miles only find it leads nowhere and then have a problem getting back. The lore and history of the sites was nice along with hints of how to dig or uncover rocks but the maps do leave a bit to be desired. Finally, and most annoyingly, all of the photos were black and white and of low quality. How can one tell what green jasper looks like with a black photo? Blooodstone? Rose quartz? This one portion of the book really was what made me not want to purchase my own copy. Maybe future editions will have better maps and at least a few color photos of the rocks,etc. Thanks for your time, Dean
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