Released in 2005, “Rockhounds: The Movie” is a “fascinating independent documentary film created with the aim of introducing gem and mineral collecting to a broad audience”. Directed by Todd Kent, the movie spans various fossicking and fossicking related activities in America, from digging for quartz in Arkansas to the well known Houston Gem & Mineral Show.

The World Championship Quartz Crystal Dig at Arkansas (Mt Ida) is where all contestants have the chance to pick a participating mine and go fossicking for quartz crystals. At the end of the day, the contestants with the largest, heaviest and best looking specimens receive awards and praise. Some mention is made of the healing powers of crystals in this segment, with a few believers imparting their visions, cures and stories.

Next, the film travels to Canyon Lake, Texas, where fossil hunting (with “Dinosaur” George) attracts lots of wide-eyed children. There are dinosaur footprints, fossilised sea urchins, fossilised clam shells, microfossils, trace fossils and even a flat snail without a shell. Throughout the film, a “lab talk” on each of the type of rocks is given by a geologist whose sometimes strange-but-true experiments add to children’s amusement.

We learn that barite roses are the state rock of Oklahoma. Found at Norman, barite roses are named for their distinctive rose formation and the red colour in which they form. Excited fossickers beside the road are interviewed with their findings examined and explained, and we get a peek inside the Timberlake Rose Rock Museum, which hosts “the world’s largest collection of Barite Rose Rocks”.2

Lastly, we move on to the Houston Gem & Mineral Show where rocks abound in demonstrations, activities, showcases, displays, sales and a magnificent Rock Food Table where rocks look almost good enough to eat. A must for any gourmet rockhound!

“Rockhounds: The Movie” is of interest to both amateur and experienced fossickers and is presented in a humourous and informative way. The movie is available to all lapidary clubs worldwide and is currently available FREE to all Australian Lapidary Clubs. Note that you need an NTSC compatible television & video player to play the movie.

If you are able to send Todd a photo or digital photo of the audience, it would be much appreciated.

Contact Todd Kent for your FREE VHS copy of “Rockhounds: The Movie”.

Address: North Texas Explorer
Attn: Todd Kent
6115 Denton Drive #408
Dallas, TX 75235

Phone: (214) 287-8219
Fax: (214) 956-9571
Email: rockhoundsmovie@hotmail.com

Front cover of "Rockhounds: The Movie".
Explorer Multimedia Inc




Digging for Barite Rose Rocks in Oklahoma.




The Rock Food Table at the Houston Gem & Mineral Show.




The World Championship Quartz Crystal Dig.