agate hunter

Equipped with a 4x4, backpack and rock hammer,

Tamara ventures into remote regions in search of

one of nature’s most mysterious works of art. These

landscapes are dry and rugged, often with punishing

winds and scorching sun. Ideal regions have

evidence of volcanic history; columnar basalts and

welded tuffs are common. Although geodes are not

formed directly from volcanic activity, volcanism is

one of the essential processes that can create the

right conditions for the formation of geodes.

Some expeditions into what looks like the right kind of

landscape for geodes yield nothing, but all it takes is

to find that first one. Where there is one, there are

many. Ethical collecting is essential; care is taken to

prevent the degradation of the land and only a small

number of geodes are taken from any one location.

The integrity and magic of each geode is only

maintained if the integrity and magic of the landscape

from where it came is also maintained.