RockWoofGear
Rockhounding Gear Checklist for Beginners (What Agencies Actually Recommend)
You don't need much. This list sticks to what land agencies and safety officials recommend.
Collecting tools
For its permit collecting sites, the White Mountain National Forest suggests a rock hammer, chisels, safety glasses, a sifting screen and a hand trowel. At Deer Hill it suggests a shovel and sifting screen for amethyst in sandy soil, and bags or newspaper to wrap specimens.
Safety gear
Arizona's State Mine Inspector lists safety glasses, hard-toed shoes or boots, hard hats and gloves as proper attire for rockhounding, plus a stocked first aid kit.
For identifying finds
A streak plate (unglazed porcelain) and a 10x loupe help with the basic tests in our mineral ID guide.
What not to bring
In the White Mountain National Forest, only hand tools are allowed: no power or mechanized equipment and no explosives. Gold panning there is pan and small trowel only.
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Sources: USDA Forest Service, WMNF Rockhounding; Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area; Arizona State Mine Inspector, Safety Tips for Rock Hounds.