At RockhoundingWorld, our goal is to publish accurate, helpful, and beginner-friendly information for hobby rockhounds, fossil hunters, and lapidary enthusiasts.

These Editorial Guidelines explain how our content is created, reviewed, and updated so readers can trust the information we provide.

Our Content Standards

Accuracy and Research

We are committed to providing information that is:

• Correct at the time of publication

• Based on reliable sources, field experience, and publicly available regulations

• Supported by geology, paleontology, and hobby rockhounding best practices

We verify facts using:

• Federal and state agency publications

• Public land guidelines (BLM, USFS, NPS)

• University and museum educational resources

• Practical experience and widely accepted field methods

Rockhounding laws and regulations change over time, and we do our best to keep pages updated as rules evolve.

Beginner-Friendly Explanations

Our audience includes people who are new to rockhounding or fossil hunting.
Because of that, we write in clear, simple language and avoid unnecessary jargon.

When we introduce technical terms—such as “Mohs hardness,” “luster,” or “geologic strata”—we explain them in a way anyone can understand.

Experience-Driven Insights

Where appropriate, we include:

• Field tips

• Common mistakes to avoid

• Practical examples

• What to expect at different types of locations

• Visual identification clues

These are included to help beginners build confidence and learn safely.

Legal and Safety Responsibility

Rockhounding and fossil collecting are regulated activities.
We make every effort to provide:

• Accurate summaries of rules

• General collecting guidelines

• Common land-use restrictions

However, laws vary by location and change frequently.
Because of that, we always recommend checking the latest official regulations before collecting. Our content is intended as a helpful starting point—not a substitute for legal advice.

Affiliate and Product Recommendations

Some pages include tool or gear recommendations.
We only recommend:

• Tools commonly used by rockhounds

• Products with practical value and real usefulness

• Gear suitable for beginners and hobbyists

If we use affiliate links, they do not influence our opinions or recommendations.
For more details, see our Affiliate Disclosure.

Content Updates

We routinely review and update content to ensure:

• Accuracy

• New rule changes

• Improved clarity

• Better examples and illustrations

• Additional tips based on reader feedback

Updated articles will show a refreshed “Last Updated” date when major revisions are made.

How to Contact Us

If you find an error, have a suggestion, or want to contribute a tip from your own rockhounding experience, you can contact us anytime through our Contact Us page.

We appreciate reader input and use it to improve our guides.