Hello, my name is Prospector George Marchacos and I am the editor and webmaster of www.kidsloverocks.com, an online source for young collectors and hobbyists.  I started this site to educate young and old alike on the uses, properties, and interesting facts about rocks, fossils, minerals, and everything else that relates to our earth.  I’ve included many projects that anyone can do to further the fever that comes with collecting, and identified clubs you can join and places you can go to explore as well.   I personally have been collecting rocks since my son was in the 4th grade Adam and I visited Arizona after a school project got him started.  When we saw all the real mines and active sluice ways out there, Adam and I were hooked for life.  It’s not often in life when a passion transforms into a career, and am so happy that I can share my passion with so many others through Cold River Mining Co. As the President of Cold River Mining Co, Cold River Mining has installed over 450 gemstone panning sluices around the country and across the world.  Throughout our 16 year history, we’ve helped start hundreds of young rock-hounds on a lifelong journey of rock collecting and identifying.  In fact, you’re probably visiting this website because you purchased a bag of mining rough from one of our locations that contained specimens from our Dr. Rocks collection.   Our collection contains over 50 different rocks and over 30 different fossils from all over the world.  If you would like to purchase a bag of mining rough from one of our locations, please visit the Where to Go section of the website.  I am personally encouraging all visitors of this site to collect the whole Dr. Rocks collection from our locations.  Once you have the whole collection, we’ll send you a free t-shirt. So, thanks for visiting, hope to see you back here real soon!

Source: aboutus

 The North Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society was established in 2001.  We are a non-profit organization dedicated to education and the collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils.  We are affiliated with the American and Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies.   We promote the educational, scientific and recreational aspects of the hobby in the subjects of mineralogy, geology, paleontology, the lapidary arts and other areas related to the earth sciences.  Through our meeting programs, workshops, field trips and other club activities, we strive to increase the knowledge and skills of our members in these subjects. We not only share knowledge within our club, but we have participated in activities for school and scout groups in the area, have had several “teaching” workshops in conjunction with the community college, and have even participated in the municipal Christmas parade. We meet the third Saturday of each month (except July and August) at the Lee County Public Library in Tupelo, on the corner of Jefferson and Madison St. from 1p.m. to 3p.m.  Our scheduled meetings page will show any exceptions. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings!   Bring a friend, colleague, family member –ANYONE who shares a passion for gems, minerals or fossils! Our programs vary greatly from month to month and many are hands-on workshops for beginners.  Classes for beginners to experts are held at other times during the month.

Source: North Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society