This place is a real gem among rock shops, excuse the pun! I had a wonderful time coming here for the first time yesterday and being immediately greeted by Lann and his wife. I expressed interest in their lapidary and jewelry making classes, which are held in the upstairs area of their studio. I was very pleased to find that this was a proper rock shop (none of that new age-y stuff) with truly passionate and knowledgeable owners who can tell you the origin and geological info of everything in their collection. It was clear to me that the owners care deeply about the local community they've cultivated in their studio, which is a real contribution. Everything was well organized and reasonably priced. I made off with some exceptionally beautiful cabochons for my jewelry making collection - any hobbyist or professional jeweler would be thrilled at the collection of faceted gemstones and polished cabochons, all organized in drawers by type and color. I had a fabulous time and can't recommend this place enough. I will definitely be signing up for one of their classes next! read more

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Awful service. The owner who works here is so disrespectful and acts like you're annoying him if you have any questions. He got right in my face and said there isn't an item in here that I am flexible at all on price. Don't waste your time or money here. He is truly evil!!! read more

A lovely and clean shop, everything is labeled clearly and the staff are wonderful. The entrance is the large doors on the bottom floor (i got mixed up at first) and i was greeted by their lovely dog. The atmosphere is welcoming even for those not familiar with rocks yet! They have every type of rock i've heard of along with many new ones, they also carry shells and feathers along with quality jewelry. read more

I attended the Beginning Lapidary class yesterday and loved it. Carly is a phenomenal instructor. She walked us through the process of cutting a calibrated cabochon from beginning to end and explained why things are done the way that they are so your end product will look amazing. I left with a fantastic cab and lots of knowledge to improve my skills at home. I'm lookin forward to taking more classes here! The shop itself is also pretty great! I could spend a whole afternoon inside just looking at all of the beautiful specimens! read more

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I recommend this business absolutely without reserve! The people who own and run the shop have become like family that you don't get to visit often enough, but whenever you do, it's always delightful! Lanny knows what rockhounds and jewelry professionals need, and keeps essentials in stock. It's a blast to go there--- like a Wing of the Museum of Natural History crammed into a small cabin! Really fun for kids, too. It is one of my happy places in Seattle. Can you tell? read more

This place is a Lake City gem. See what I did there? An actual gem and rock shop, not one of those stupid new age crystal shops. You walk inside and all your eye can see is rocks and stones. They have fossils and my favorite, the petrified poop! He offers precut gems and rocks of all shapes and sizes. There is a huge table with stone slabs where you can buy small to large stones slabs to make your own creation. Granite, tiger's eye, jasper and obsidian are just a few things you can find in bin. There are even cool little things like the purple glass from the sidewalks in downtown cut into gemstones. You can literally buy a piece of Seattle history to wear forever. I heard that when the Kingdome came down he did a few projects with the material. Just browse the cases of cool rocks from all over the world. Everywhere you look you'll see something that will catch your eye. Also check out the jewelry near the front by the register. They do host different levels of gem cutting classes if you are wanting to improve your gem cutting skills. There is a table are where you can work at near the filling cabinet full of rocks. Or if you're feeling confident you can drop a few grand into a machine and take your newly found hobby to the next level! Be sure and say hi to the shop dog. What a wonderful life to live! read more

NW Rockhounds - Slabs for cheap! Some real hidden gems to be found in here. - Hobby Shops Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Love this place. Most rock shops are fancy or new age. This place is solid, build out for the hobbiest who wants to learn something, try new things, and play with cool rocks. They've got great jewlery and a staff that is ready to talk to anyone with any level of experience. read more

This place is awesome. Great specimens, nice people, good prices. If it was closer, I'd be here all the time.

I've been stopping by this place since the pandemic started and I'm here to set the record straight. The merch is amazing! I could honestly peep around this shop all day. They don't just have rocks and minerals. They have fossils and bones! The employees/owners have always been friendly and helpful! But, I'm also polite and a good customer, so I don't know what other people's problems are. I've never had to wait long. Not to say you'll never have to wait. I've never been rushed, but like I said, I'm not a jerk. Yes, they ask you to sanitize your hands. As they should. I wouldn't want my dirty hands all over the rose quartz either. /mix drop. read more

My husband likes rocks, my kids like bugs and I like jewelry - this store is a total win. Walking through the door you are kind of mind blown by how many treasures await. Seriously, you don't know where to start! But before you do, the owner welcomes you in like an old friend. I've met a couple other staff over my visits and they have also been incredibly knowledgable and friendly. I'm always hesitant to bring my kids with me to shop anywhere as they want to touch everything. This place has a plan for that! They have a giant trunk full of small rocks and allow kids to pick one to keep. With so many colors and shapes, it keeps my kids very busy while I browse. Being from Ellensburg, I was thrilled to find the most stunning wire wrapped blue agate which quickly became one of my most cherished pieces. And a serious bonus that the artist that wrapped it teaches a wire wrapping class here! I too could someday learn to make something so cool. I love that this store doesn't just sell awesome things, it offers you the chance to learn too. Want to rockhound? They sell books and tools for all levels of enthusiasts. Not sure what to do with your rocks? They have classes on how to polish, cut, wrap, etc. It's truly a special place for anyone with an interest. They have kids classes too! My sons took the Insect Safari which was amazing! This dude shows up with so many bugs! Not just dead ones but LIVE ONES for kids to touch and learn about. I never thought I'd like cockroaches but they were pretty freakin cool when you aren't finding them in a hotel room! So grateful that a store like this exists in our neck of the woods. Whether you are into rocks or just like learning about stuff or want a new pair of garnet earrings, they've got you. I also appreciate the precautions they've taken to keep us all safe during this pandemic. This past year has sucked for everyone. Limiting capacity is not a fun choice, especially for a small business, but it allowed us to feel safe during our visit giving us the space to wander. (unlike certain grocery stores, ahem!) Oh, and they have the cutest shop dog! read more

Super cool shop full of all the minerals and gems you could hope for, with plenty of jewelry as well. Staff knows their rocks, and it was great seeing such a cool collection on display even if we didn't end up getting anything but the ring. Plus there's a fun resident dog who I always look forward to seeing on the stoop. I found the coolest Tanzanite ring that I wear every day. I actually didn't get it the first time I stopped in but couldn't stop thinking about it, so I went back a week later and wear it ever since! read more

NW Rockhounds - Hobby Shops Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Nice little shop tucked away on a little side street. They have a nice mix of little delights. I look for crystals based on healing not so much for the rockhounding. However they have a wonderful mix of polished, faceted!, rough and pre-made items. The two individuals who were in the store today appeared to me to be the owners and were the nicest people that you could meet. They greeted you warmly and just checked up on you to see if you needed anything else (they were never up in my business), they just allowed you to explore. They have drawers of delights as well that you are welcome to look through-The prices appeared pretty reasonable to me and they had some nice specimens. If you are looking for jewelry making findings they have drawers of those too. If they don't have something go ahead and ask. I asked about some smaller and different pieces of Chalcedony Rose and they lead me to the back and let me look through some buckets of specimens (beautiful!!!) ...I found 2 beautiful light pinky pieces that looked like little clouds and at very reasonable prices. And don't even get me started on the 2 adorable doggies they had in the store!!! OMG they were the cutest 2 little furbabies ever. Two nice little companions to have escort you around the store while you are shopping. I'll be back later nice people, cute puppies, good variety of goods...nothing better. read more

Great place for rock enthusiasts and amateurs alike! My dad was looking for a store that had unpolished rocks in their natural state, and this place has tons (maybe literally). They had everything he was looking for in their "Rock Room" in the back, prices were very reasonable, and they even gave him a copper ore he asked questions about, on the house. My daughter also got helped by the friendly staff while she dug through a chest full of polished rocks. They sell jewelry made by local artists, and all kinds of knickknacks that could be given to anyone on your gift list. Parking might be a challenge since there's only four spaces, but this place is definitely worth a look. read more

Love the selectionxgot my wife a beautiful crystal for Valentine's Day! She loved it. Lots of,fun looking at all the beautiful creations of nature. read more

Came in today and spent over $400 dollars and was asked to leave because my sister and I had been in the store too long. There are no posted rules, aside from wearing a mask, and they literally told us "you have been in here too long." If you are calling to inquire about moldevite... don't. They talk crap about customers who call and ask for it. If you have any knowledge of minerals (degree in geology) they act as if you actually have COVID and won't discuss anything with you. Between my sister and I, we had another $200+ of items to buy and they lost that sale because of their piss poor behavior. Also your garnets are marked the wrong locality- they are not garnet hill. read more

listen, i COMPLETELY understand the capacity limit with COVID-19- However, it is completely unfair that we had to wait about 30 minutes outside in the rain whilst 4 other people were inside. We were in there for about 20 minutes until the presumed owner came and told us to hurry up. The female younger employee seemed embarassed of her boss and apologized for him. Plus, their prices are WAY above any other crystal shop. I am always down to support any small businesses, yet this one isn't the best. Also, look at the reviews on their google- The owner is extremely rude and unprofessional it's insane. Anyway, you should take your business to 4 Sisters Holistic Remedies. Location: South 3rd Street, Renton, WA. (they are MUCH more friendly and prices are great) read more

If you like: rocks, minerals, shells, fossils, jewelry, learning new things, meeting nice people, and shopping this is a store you must visit. It is doggie friendly (say hello to Bandit, their cute hound dog). Not only does this shop curate an amazing selection of all of the above, but they have lots of tools to start your own collection or pick up a new hobby. They had tons of jewelry making supplies, from drill bits to actual mounts, and lots of advice and knowledge to share on them. When we came in the owners were cutting into some geodes that another customer dropped off (yet another service they provide). The owners also sat down with my kiddo and helped and supervised him looking over countless trays of rocks and minerals, explaining them all to him as his interests led. He asked to come back again tomorrow! Just exemplary customer service and people in general. I think we spent about two hours in here browsing and left with lots of goodies. Can't wait to return! read more

As a gem collector I was highly anticipating my visit to this store when it was recently suggested. Unfortunately, I found the staff person working to be highly rude and unfriendly. I felt rushed during my visit and their prices above market. This is a no-go for me as there are other local stores that I'd rather spend my time and money. Check out Agate Designs in Pioneer Square, a very friend man owns it and he's got a shop cat and dog! read more

I love this store! They have an amazing selection of rocks and minerals at great prices. They also offer unique workshops and classes for cutting rocks, jewelry making, and more. I took a gem faceting class here recently and it was very fun! We learned to cut quartz with a gem faceting machine over the course of four weeks. The teacher was very helpful and attentive and I hope to take more classes here in the future. read more

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Awesome store! Beautiful displays and the staff are very friendly. They let you browse and take your time. Their prices are good! I was expecting higher prices. I bought a gorgeous sphere with a druzy pocket and my friend bought 3 or 4 beautiful pieces she couldn't live without. I live in Oregon, but will be looking forward to shopping here again soon. PS- the dogs in the store are PRECIOUS! read more

Very cool place to find gems, rocks, fossilized poop and anything else your nerdy little heart might desire. Relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, and wide selection make it a pleasant visit. The shop itself is awkwardly located in what looks like a neighborhood off the main road, but it's not a big deal. Prices were not bad. read more

TLDR: Can be affordable or spendy depending on what you are searching for. Tip: There is a spray bottle hanging off the side of the rock slate table. Use it on the rocks and be amazed! Neat little rock shop hidden slightly off the main road. Dimly lit; so if you're a true rock hound, bring a flashlight or ask for some additional lighting. Prices seem reasonable but it's a bit disconcerting to me when some things aren't labeled and when you ask for a price, the person hesitates for a second and spits out a number. read more

I'm a gem and mineral enthusiast who hasn't quite made the jump into being a full-on rockhound. But NW Rockhounds makes me want to head out to the hills and start digging for rocks! This rock shop is tucked away on a side street off Lake City Way and can be a little hard to find at first. It's worth it once you get inside, though. Inside, it's part prospector's cabin and part geology museum, with wood-paneled walls, shelves of apothecary jars filled with exciting things, and big barrels and tubs full of rocks, rocks, and more rocks. It's really a beautifully decorated place and a pleasure to browse around. The display cases have finished jewelry and rarer specimens, but there are plenty of rocks, fossils, geodes, and other curiosities sitting out in baskets and on tables. It's hard to resist picking everything up and petting it lovingly, it's all so pretty! The back of the store has a lapidary workshop where the owners work, and they said they're going to start offering classes on cutting and polishing, which I'd love to try. They have some beautiful loose gems and semi-precious stones, if you're looking for jewelry components. For the hands-on rockhound, there are rock and gem guides, prospecting books, local maps, and plenty of tools and storage supplies. I got a couple of books on basic rockhound how-to and etiquette, and a guidebook of places to go rock hunting in the Northwest. The owner was very helpful and friendly, recommending books to start out with. He was happy to open up the cases and show off some of his favorite special pieces, and I get the impression that it's just as much a clubhouse for rock lovers to come in and talk shop. Prices are fair, especially the bargain table toward the back where rock slices are marked as low as $0.50. You can definitely find inexpensive specimens to start off your collection without breaking the bank, so it's friendly for every budget. A really fun, unique place to browse, whether you're a jewelry lover, rockhound, fossil collector, or you just like pretty sparkly things! Worth the trek up to Lake City, for sure. read more

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Amazing shop. The employees were kind and helpful, and it had a generally good atmosphere. It was a solid place to find good quality rocks and gems for a fair price. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting little store while visiting Seattle.There were so many interesting things and it was overall so much fun. read more

Not a rockhound here.... but my daughter and wife are. They discovered this hobby about a year ago and go up to Snoqualmie and dig/collect crystals. Now they have a passion for all things rocks and minerals....so this is how I end up here. Very cute store and it is full of all types of things from different minerals to jewelry to gifts and tools. The owner dude is quite the character and will tell you all sorts of stories, and the dog will most likely greet you upon entering (but then tire of you and go back to his hectic schedule of sleeping on his bed). The prices seem reasonable, and the place is cool for spending a hour or so browsing even for those of us that aren't rockhounds.... read more

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My son is a mini rock enthusiast and I've taken him to so many stores & gem shows to know this place is one of the best. This looks small from the outside but has a surprisingly huge collection on the inside. The people that work at the store are not only knowledgeable but just simply kind people that genuinely seem to enjoy talking to others that share their passion. My son is only 6 but they patiently answered his questions and made suggestions and I think it was the owners birthday on the day we went and he even shared a cupcake with him -- after he checked with me first, of course. They didn't ignore him or ask him not to touch things like he's experienced at other stores, which we really appreciated and even gave him a little rock on the house and told us that he can have one special one each time he visits (it sounds like they do this for the local children too, which is super sweet). My son wasn't going to spend that much, obviously, but they really made him special and let him feel welcomed even though we were there a lot longer than we needed to. Thanks guys! read more

Most items were over priced. Wasn't impressed with what they had. Walked in and just casually asked about a ring I found and they told me it was glass but it is in fact blue chalcedony like I had thought. I had a much better experience at earth light and gems in Kirkland. read more

6/5 stars is more like it. This place feels like home. The owners are incredibly knowledgable and personable and willing to share. Their shop is absolutely beautiful and this is a rare gem, everything is perfectly curated. I took the lapidary classes and they were so much but that I keep coming back. read more

My kindergartener was so excited to browse the store as one of our special spring break treats. He picked out a few things, including a shark tooth. The man running the store let the kids pick out one free rock out of their giant treasure chest. They do birthday parties in a private upstairs room for about $200 for ten kids. They offer lots of fossils, shells, gems and rocks from the local area and around the world. They also have books, tools, rock tumblers and lots of useful things for rock hunters. For our $20 purchase, it was like getting a personal tour of a private museum and now we have some fun artifacts to explore at home. We will definitely be back! read more

We love NW Rockhounds. The store is fantastic and the help knowledgeable. We have set up a great grandchild with rock tumbling equipment - a new generation of rock lovers. read more

Wandered in one day, this store is awesome! I could spend hours in here. A wide selection of rocks, crystals, minerals, fossils, and jewelry. My grandmother loved her Christmas present! read more

NW Rockhounds - Got this beauty for my grandmother. It was a hit!! - Hobby Shops Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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100% authentic with the kinda prices I don't mind paying. Been twice and everyone here knows rocks in a humble, rebel style. If they have what you are looking for, it's going to be exactly what you are seeking. read more

NW Rockhounds - Someone here has an amazing eye for Selenite. No filters. Pure moon beauty. - Hobby Shops Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This place is like a magicians workshop. There is something for everyone, too. A very eclectic inventory. I bought an amazing Smokey quartz here for a reasonable price. They have classes. Jewelry. Raw stuff. They will polish and cut for you. The owner is passionate. It's really a cool place. read more

This store has everything!!! from jewelry and lapidary supplies to feathers and sea shells from very large crystals,to stones you have never seen before...They have a calendar full of hands on classes and scheduled outing,,, from young to old...In the corner of the room sits a very large table where you will often will see the owner Lann talking , laughing and sharing with a few old rock hounds. My favorite thing about the store is when you are already inside and the front door open and you see a person that has never been in the store before enter.You watch them stand in the entry way as their mouth open a bit and their eyes goes from left to right then up and down,,,people are truly amazed.. It reminds me of the scene  from the  Wizard Of Oz when things went from black and white to color..... a very cool shop....a must see !!! read more

Truly awesome store. They have an incredible selection of unique rocks, books, rock hounding tools, and lots of other things. Friendly, super knowledgeable owners and very reasonable prices make this my new favorite store in Seattle. Can't wait to come back! read more

NW Rockhounds - Today's finds at NW Rockhounds! - Hobby Shops Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The man working couldn't be bothered. I felt like I was bothering him each time I asked a question. I asked if they had any crystals that help block EMFs and he shut me down real fast unnecessarily telling me they don't "believe" in that and can't help. Ok? I decided to just leave because of the bad vibes there. read more

They had some really cool stuff!!! Lots of variety and a bunch of jewelry making materials. The atmosphere was very inviting and not overbearing with the "can I help you" customer service. It was more like "let me know if you have questions" which is exactly how I was to browse. read more

Ok selection of rocks. Was not expecting to see dead animals everywhere. Taxidermy deer head at eye-level and dried up ocean critters all over are super creepy and gross IMO but whatever floats your boat read more

Lanny the owner is really knowledgeable and the shop is gorgeous. Very reasonable prices, I highly recommend. Also Lanny is straightforward and will never try to pass treated citrine or dyed agate off as real with out telling you. I so loved all of my experiences here. read more

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My favorite shop in Seattle for fossils, dinosaur bones, and other goodies for my budding paleontologist. Awesome husband and wife team. Very friendly and really know their stuff. read more