My First Rockhounding Experience

Mallory Finch

Oct 3

5 min read

orginally published April 28, 2026

Last weekend I really pushed myself outside of my comfort zone. I knew I would be a little outside of the zone, but this was on the other side of the spectrum. And I am genuinely so proud of myself.

For those who know me personally or even those who just read the blog, you know I am an indoor girlie. I prefer to be inside or I don’t mind a sunroom. My ideal activities are podcasting (check out my podcast), making jewelry (check out my store), writing stories, and watching movies. I have also always loved going to Gem Mines. You know, those places where you get a bucket of dirt and take it to a water trough and sift through the dirt for some pretty rocks. This wasn’t that though. And I realized that very quickly.

Day 1: Lincolnton County, Georgia

I hopped in the back seat of my friend’s car Wednesday afternoon. We drove the 3ish hours to Lincolnton County, Georgia from Charlotte. We listened to music and yapped the entire time. That’s always one of my favorite parts of road trips. Sometimes the journey really is better than the destination. And if you were wondering, Lincolnton County Georgia is a small town.

Day 2: First Day on Graves Mountain

First day waking up, we got dressed and packed early to beat crowds and then there were no crowds. Turns out the first official day is the next day so we didn’t have to be up early and stressed at all. It was a fun set of circumstances that we are all sensitive about haha.

My friends didn’t know this but I was a little nervous. I was nervous about the strenuousness of the activity. I decided I was going to push myself, but the anxiousness didn’t leave me.

Around 10ish we finally got to the top of the mountain with all of our tools, carts, tents, and supplies. I must note that it was also very hot. And I did not expect that lol. My friend’s boyfriend, who was the expert, found our spot to dig on the mountain. We set up the tent (you need a tent to have shade) and the chairs.

There are many roles you can have on a team. I was the sifter and thank God for that. The whole diggers would dig dirt and put them in our buckets. I would take the dirt from that bucket, pour it into the sifter, and look for rocks that are special or cool. I did dig for a little, honestly it was for the experience. And this day for whatever reason, was the most exhausting. This was kind of the worst day.

Once we were done we went back to the Airbnb and I KOed. I was exhausted. And I decided okay I will do every other day. This isn’t for me, but I’m here. I am not going to complain. I’m just not going to be up there everyday.

After I woke up from my nap, I joined my friends outside on the dock. We sat around talking and then, the rockhounding expert, brought out a fishing poll and worms. Our Airbnb pond was stocked full of fish. I went fishing for the first time ever! And I caught two fish. I even touched it. We all had a great time and I went to bed very happy and content.

Day 3: Second Day at Graves Mountain

So that next morning I woke up well rested, and decided that I will go up the mountain today.

We shared the Airbnb with the expert’s friends who are now my friends. They are rockhounders and had tables to sell some of the rocks they found. Graciously my new friends said I could hang out and vend with them for half the day. So I went out that morning, sifted mainly, dug for a second, and then helped my friend’s at their vending table. I also was able to check out other vendors. That was really fun!

Day 4: Rest and Relax

This day I rested. I decided to stay back at the Airbnb. I did everyone’s laundry since I was there, finished reading my book (My Husband’s Wife), and I journaled outside on the dock (junk journal). It was kind of the perfect relaxed day.

Day 5: Third Day at Graves Mountain

After a wonderful relaxing day at the Airbnb, I was ready to get back out there for the last day on the mountain. I went with my new friend to help her vend for the first half of the day. The second half I went down to our hole and sifted. I sifted until I could not sift anymore.

Let’s take a quick break and discuss what exactly we were looking for. From my limited understanding Graces Mountain is known for two types of rocks: rutile and hematite. We, as a collective, found both. It took me a few days to really understand what we were looking for. In the dirt there are lots of rocks, but you have to determine which ones are the ones you’re looking for and which ones are just clay. By Sunday afternoon I was positive what I was looking for. I didn’t find rutile myself but others in my group did. I did find a really cool piece of quartz.

And then I found my favorite rock ever. It has a little bit of iridescent hematite which showed itself as a rainbow in the piece. I love this piece so much. It makes me so happy every time I see it.

As a collective we found some beautiful pieces. I don’t have pictures of all of the pieces, but trust me them are pretty and cool.

Day 6: Diamond Hill Mine

So the next day we packed up and drove to Diamond Hill Mine and let me tell you, it’s sooooo different than Graves Mountain. Multiple people told me Graves is actually really hard and a crazy way to get into rockhounding lol. Diamond Hill was pretty much big pit and you take your shovel and tools, find a spot, and dig! They are known for quartz crystals. I found a lot as well as quartz clusters. I found pieces that I think I will use for jewelry! I found this piece that I also love a lot.

My brother called it a crown and now that’s all I see. This piece is so beautiful too if it was little bigger I would use it for a paper weight a work.

This was a lot chiller and I found wayyy more pieces. I liked it a lot more and I can’t wait to go back.