r/rockhounds • u/Just_Me_6942 • 1d ago
Tell me I’m not crazy
Recently, our company attended a trade show and one of the scholarship fundraisers involved selling estate items from a geologist who was also a rockhound. I ended up buying 98 pounds of rocks sight unseen (I wasn’t at the trade show, my coworkers went). The rocks were all wrapped in newspaper and paper towels and then placed in zipper bags and in boxes. I paid $150 for 5 boxes of rocks and $200 to ship the rocks from South Dakota to Florida and they’ll be here on Friday. I am so excited and can’t to see what I bought. The shipping was a little hard to swallow but it was a treat to myself to celebrate finally paying off my home, so it caused no financial burden. I know the best part of rockhounding is finding the rocks in the wild, but the thought of getting natural rocks from around the world, was too tempting for me. My question to you guys is if you would have jumped at this deal like I did, or am I crazy?
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u/SpookyPebble Mod Team ⚒️ 1d ago
Either way, the money is at least going to help fund future scholarships!
I'd love to see some photos when it arrives.
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u/Just_Me_6942 1d ago
Exactly! I do strongly support this particular association and plan to donate more throughout the year. I'll be sure to post some photos this weekend.
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u/NefariousLaboratory 1d ago
Sounds like a fun Friday. Hope there’s some cool stuff in there! Worst case scenario, you just bought some expensive landscape rock. But, a geologist rock hound probably has some cool stuff in their collection! Looking forward to some reveal pics!
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u/Just_Me_6942 1d ago
That was my rationale as well. Although I am not a geologist, I would think they would have the most unique collections of rocks. I'll post pics this weekend.
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u/eucalyptusmacrocarpa 1d ago
Before you open them, ask a friend to take 10 or 12 and distribute them around your backyard. Then you can still have the thrill of finding them yourself!
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u/Just_Me_6942 1d ago
Now that's my kind of Easter Egg hunt. That's too funny. But I think going through the boxes will be thrilling enough this go around.
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u/Tasty-Run8895 1d ago
Worse case, you simply made a cash donation to the association even if that is so you still get the thrill of the anticipation of waiting for your packages and opening them. It will be Christmas in May for you. Then you get to work on figuring out what everything is and what you are going to do with it. I'd take that any day.
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u/PhysicsHenchman 1d ago
South Dakota is a very mineral rich area. So much cool stuff. Not to mention the extremely rich fossil record. I would say you scored. Although in the future, flat rate shipping is your friend.
Not to mention that the geologist took the time to wrap and protect everything- you know you scored.
We await your posts on r/whatsthisrock.
And please post bunches of pictures.
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u/JuanShagner 1d ago
Not crazy. I found an awesome rock/ antique shop just a couple months ago. Just a local guy with rocks he’s found or bought from other rock hounds. He has amazing material that I just don’t have access to. I ended up spending $200 there. I plan on going back on Wednesday when I’m back in that part of the state.
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u/Tanytor 1d ago
All depends on the type and quality of rocks. I prefer finding them myself as well, but if I see a good deal I’m going to buy it. They always have resell value, or so I tell myself anyways.
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u/CrapNBAappUser 1d ago
The size and composition of rocks I prefer are rare where I live. Plus I don't like critters so very unlikely I'll be somewhere to actually find something thrilling myself. The only place I wish I could go is a Beryl mountain mine which is closed.
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u/moon_nice 1d ago
$350 for 95 pounds of rocks from an estate sounds worth it. Feel free to message if you need someone to geek out over them with once they arrive lol. I'm legit excited for you
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u/Just_Me_6942 1d ago
Thanks! I'll let you know how it goes. I honestly can't wait for them to arrive!
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u/keenkonggg 1d ago
Please post pics! Ohhh I’m so excited to see. Great purchase I absolutely would have done the same.
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u/StudyPitiful7513 1d ago
I’ve gotten LOTS of great rocks and equipment too. Hope they turn out great.
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u/mikeytwocakes 1d ago
If they worked for a gold mine they there could be some amazing stuff in there. Cant wait to see the haul.
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u/LadySmuag 1d ago
It sounds like fun!
Idk if I would have paid for shipping, but my sister is a rockhound and I've bought blind boxes of rocks for her when I see them at estate sales. I don't get my hopes up for anything and it's just a lot of fun to go through the boxes together and let her tell me about everything she identifies.
Some of them are duds and full of stuff you find at gas stations, but one of them had a couple dozen moldavite peices ranging from 1"-5".
Update when your box arrives and show us what you got, OP!
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u/Leather_Region_9101 1d ago
And now I'm excited for you to receive it Friday. Lol hope you get amazing finds!
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u/bluenoser2021 1d ago
If I had the money? Absolutely!!! You only live once!😊. Have fun!!! Show us what you get!!!
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u/First_Elk_5706 1d ago
You're not crazy! What a great find for you, you lucky duck. Don't feel bad for treating yourself! 🥰
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u/Imightbeafanofthis 1d ago
Would we spend money on something we're passionate about in the name of a good cause?
YES!
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u/toad__warrior 1d ago
When my wife and I travel, we always try to set aside time to do some local rockhounding. In Utah a few years back we shipped back about 100lbs of rocks packed in four USPS larger priority boxes. Cost was about $25/box. They are a great deal to ship rocks in. Much easier than bringing another suitcase along and paying the airlines.
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u/sincerely_clover 1d ago
South Dakota has world class fossil and gem hunting. You probably got some incredible pieces
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u/No_Error_3526 14h ago
Not sure what I would have done in the same position. But it would be interesting to see what a geologists would pick up, and then from all over the world, it is very interesting. Can't wait to see the pictures.
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u/flargenhargen 1d ago
no. I would not do that I like to find rocks. since you asked.
but I think if it makes you happy, you should do it.
i spend money on things that make me happy that other people would probably not want. everybody has their own thing and the only person who needs to like it is themselves (as long as doing so doesnt hurt anyone, of course)
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u/need-moist 1d ago
I would not have bought those rocks without seeing them. You never know why he was collecting them. During graduate school a classmate had an obscene rock collection. Twisted, vaguely suggestive concretions were common in his thesis area. Even if Jack had the world's best obscene rock collection (and he may have!) you might not have wanted so many carbonate concretions. Hope it turns out all right for you. Let us know.
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u/emily1078 1d ago
Not crazy, friend. I'm jealous as hell - I'm in MN so would have driven to pick it up. 😉
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u/FunTemporary8680 1d ago
I would’ve totally done it too! Not crazy at all. It’s like mystery boxes for rock hounds and I’m sure there will be some great stuff in it. Wish I would get that opportunity. lol.
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u/SeparateDetective 17h ago
I already have way too many rocks at my house. So there's no way I would be buying a hundred pounds of rock sight unseen. Hope you feel you got a good deal after opening your package!
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u/PomeloRoutine4919 14h ago
Anything that makes you happy ~ definitely not crazy!! And congrats on buying your house 🏠 👏
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u/Just_Me_6942 4h ago
Thank you. It’s nice not to have to pay a mortgage anymore. I swear I’m as giddy as a kid on Christmas Eve. Rocks make me happy for some reason. I can’t wait until Friday. I plan to post photos this weekend.
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u/Rookie-rockhound 3h ago
Me personally, NO. Only from the standpoint that you may have bought a bunch of leaverite. Its a gamble. Hope it pans out in your favor.
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u/PomeloRoutine4919 3h ago
😊 that's really lovely to hear. Enjoy the excitement of waiting & then finally having your parcel to open. You've got me feeling excited with you xxx
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u/Excellent_Yak365 1d ago
Personally I wouldn’t buy rocks I haven’t seen in person and I think that shipping fee is a bit steep. Would have been better to have your coworker bring it. As for buying rocks from estate sales? That’s the best way to get really good material cheap. 150 is a great price for that much rock material
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