Hand Tools for Mineral Digging

Hammers

• Hammers come in many different types and sizes and have varied uses. Sledge allows you to disintegrate giant rocks into smaller ones. Using a sledge requires a lot of force. Crack hammer is employed when working with medium-sized stones. Geologist's hammer is useful for extracting a rock from the ground. When working with any hammer, make sure you protect your eyes with googles.

Chisels

• Chisels are characterized by their sharp, cutting edges and are usually used with hammers to split hard rocks and stones. Upon placing the pointed end of the chisel at the appropriate spot where the splitting is to be made, strike the hammer on the other flat end. This will apply pressure on the rock and pierce it at the spot where it's hit.

Shovels

• Shovels come in different lengths and shapes. They are generally used to shift stones and other loads from one spot to the other. Pointed shovels aid in digging through hard surface. On average, a shovel weighs from three to five pounds.

Digging and Tamping Bars

• This tool has a flattened end that aids in tamping and a chisel edge used to break rocks. According to the Federal Highway Administration website, a tamping bar is nearly 70 inches long with a tamping end that is almost 2.5 inches wide.

Hand Lens

• A magnifying glass, or hand lens, is a useful tool for determining the appropriate digging spots. It also aids in minutely observing crystals and other small-sized findings. As of 2010, the average price range of a hand lens is from $ 10 to $35, according to the Rockhounding Arkansas website. Using a hand lens is a simple task. You just need to position it between your eye and the object that is being observed. Adjust the position of the hand lens until you get the most appropriate magnification. Make sure there is sufficent light, especially when observing miniature items.