What is a Rock Shop, Anyway?
The history of lapidary is well documented. The art of cutting and polishing stones for ornamental purposes goes back thousands of years. But when did rock shops come about and what are they exactly? Starting in the 1950s, rock shops were havens for rock-enthusiast travelers. They were found on every major and many back roads in the country. Many were run out of sheds, basements, and garages. One could buy rocks found in areas local to the nearest rock shop. Many rock shops would cut and polish treasures found or purchased by their customers. Most rock shops were dusty and dirty, hot, and largely ran by retirees. Typically rock shop owners of the 1950s had little knowledge of mineralogy, petrology, geology, lapidary (besides tumbling) or business. They were mom & pop shops with a flavor all their own and were reminiscent of Route 66. Like other businesses that thrived on the Route 66 style of traveling, rock shops have largely gone by the wayside. One may still run in to an occasional
