On a brisk, cloudy Monday, we pulled up to Mark’s house. Massive Graveyard Point Plume Agate rocks were on display on his front yard, they immediately caught our eyes. Mark’s passion and dedication for rockhound is giddy and admirable. Inside, his garage — or as he calls it, his rock shop — was packed with gems he’s collected over decades. Shelves stacked high, buckets overflowing, almost every surface covered with incredible gems. Agates, jaspers, turquoise, he collected them all. It was hard to believe how many stones he’s found — and how he does it all by hand.
Mark started rockhounding at twelve. After asking a shop owner how to pass the time in Kuna he was told, “Go find some rocks.” Soon enough, he stumbled upon Potato Agate. The owner assumed all of the agate was dug up however Mark obtained about one hundred pounds of it. That was the dig that started him on the path of lifelong curiosity. Years later, he bought the Graveyard Point Plume Agate Claim and named it after his wife, Mary-Lee. He was spending most of his weeks exploring and digging for new gems, on the hunt for his next challenge. Even after decades, the thrill of discovery hasn’t faded, if anything it's continued to grow.
His backyard full of neatly piled stones reflected Mark’s personality — patient, intentional, curious, and attentive to detail. Even though there were massive gems stacked on each other everywhere, the space was still organized. We'd walk around admiring his collection and Mark would point out a particular stones and share a story about it. He fondly shared adventures of how many times he's had a several hundred pound rock above his head, the process of transporting the gems, and spontaneous hunts while driving on the road.
Each time he goes rockhounding, he's intentional about how his actions impact the land around him. Mark's commitment to continuing the hunt for more gems while caring for the land he's on is important to him. It's a great example of his kind and caring nature.
When Mark expressed the defining characteristics he saw in Graveyard Point Plume agate, we mentioned that couple shared the same sentiment towards its appearance and how complementary the "feeling" is for weddings. Mark wasn't surprised at all. He said with a huge grin and excitement, "It'll be one of those stones that most popular with weddings." The White Graveyard, his favorite, has icy white layers and dark blue plumes. We agree that the look is elegant — understated, classy, timeless. I could tell that Mark's appreciation for rocks grew because people share that admiration with him. Gems have found a way into his life and many others.
The gem that's been a pivotal part in Mark's story gets to play a part in someone else's. The shared appreciation gives him hope that more people will take their interest a step further and give rockhounding a try. Rockhounding it more than the end result, it's a love for the chase, staying in tune with your intuition, and enjoying the whole process. Mark truly believes there’s something grounding about paying attention to the ground beneath us and discovering what speaks to us. There's a sense of pride that fuels your soul, it guides you to continue the hunt, and keeps you coming back.
Everywhere around us there's something extraordinary in places we least expect it. So next time you're enjoying a walk near the Boise River, foothills, or even your neighborhood - take a glimpse at the ground and look for a gem that speaks to you. Be curious and let yourself enjoy the moment.
If you're lucky, the gem will pick you.
