Photo of My South Dakota Pearl

by Rich E.
(Spearfish, SD, USA)

As I described in an earlier post, I recently found a very nice pearl, virtually flawless, white, and round, here in South Dakota while hunting for fossils and interesting rocks on the shore of a dam. From what I can tell, I'm the first person to do so (in this state).

The dam has places where shells of recently dead molluscs wash up and litter the shores, as well as plenty of nice jasper and other pretty minerals. Small fossils such as shark teeth aren't uncommon.

Ever since I was a kid, I always watch for treasures on the ground. To me though, many kinds of rocks are treasures that other people would think weren't worth bending over to pick up. My parents are both rock hounds too. When I was growing up, we often collected fossils, Indian artifacts, and plain old neat rocks on our farm (we walked all over it at times doing chores).

It is quite a feeling to find something so unique and rare, especially of such good quality, too. I guess I'll never sell it, since I can always earn more money, but I'm doubtful I'll ever find another treasure like this.