Rocks, Gems, and Fossils (oh my!)

This is my professional (sfw) page where I will be sharing my journey into lapidary, and all things rock related. This will include photos of my personal collection, rocks I found, rocks in general, projects I'm working on, and products I will be selling at markets. I will also reblog geology and rock stuff I find cool. Welcome along for the journey!

[milky-quartz-way]

The Girl at the Rock Show

I am Milky-Quartz-Way. I do lapidary work, I cut, shape, and polish rocks, as well as keep them in their natural state. I make jewelry, candles, sun-catchers, and some other goodies that will be coming out in the spring! This blog is my journey of what I make, find, rockhounding expeditions, and rock related things I love 💖

I am a queer, female, who runs and does this all independently. I am grateful to have my local hobby club to learn, use equipment, and be with my people 🤗 I want to share my love of rocks and nature through my work. I focus on sustainability, creativity, affordability, and showing the beauty of each rock I work on 🪨

I am very grateful to live, work, and find rocks on the traditional and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw (snu-NAY-mukhw) First Nation ♥️

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Pics from my second most recent tumble. Thankfully I also have finished the rocks from my Grandpa’s farm. However I have recently having issues with my tumbler, I am planning to fix on Wednesday. I’m working on a very exciting project with obsidian, but the process is a long one… stay tuned!

Once tumbler is fixed, I’m working on the most amazing agates right now 🤗

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My fourth tumble! I have been missing lapidary (depression and life sucks!) but I plan to go back tomorrow. I’m so happy with how these are turning out. Next market on May 9th! This tumble are all different agates, and maybe a few surprises ✨

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All rocks tell a story… of the earth it came from, of the people that found them, of the people they end up with 🩶

A dear friend who is like a big brother to me, gifted me a HUGE PAIL of rocks from when he and his father went rockhounding 50 years ago in the Fraser River… his father is now passed. This is a small selection of what he gave me. I’m very honoured to have these, and this is what I will be tumbling. I’m making soemthing for him, as a memento to him and his father…

(I will be posting more in depth photos here, and of course, in the Rockhounds of Tumblr group!)

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My third tumble! I am so proud and impressed!

Currently tumbling a mix of a ton of a different agates, and then not sure what I want to tumble next.

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My very first market ever!!! AHHHHH!!!

[littlealienproducts]

Opalized Septarian Formations Fossil from AustralianOpalHunter

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This is amazing! I’ve been obsessed with opal lately!!!

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I work my very first Market in 12 days! Huge updates and stock photos incoming!!! Wednesday will be sharing 🤩🤩🤩 I’m beyond exhausted and honoured to work my local clubs market, and represent our lapidary division 🥰

[milky-quartz-way]

My Rule of Rose brooch I hand made for my Jennifer Costume this Halloween. The backing was given to me by a dear friend, and club member. The rock was also given to me by him. It’s red jasper. I cut, shaped, and hand carved the piece with my Grandpa’s dremel. I will post costume pics on my personal account, and maybe one here on Halloween. The top two images are oiled, bottom is dried.

(Jasper found in Cowichan Valley, British Columbia, Canada)

[redtsundere-pngs]

Would you be able to please make a PNG of just the rocks all together, no background. I’m gonna use it as a kind of border for my rock blog @milky-quartz-way

Absolutely love your blog, and thank you for what you do ❤️

Here you go! I bet is going to look great! :3

[milky-quartz-way]

Thank you x1,000,000 to the amazing and talented @redtsundere-pngs ❤️

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She's an angel and I love her. 💎

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She’s a Crystal angel and I love her forever 💎

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Today I was so beyond blessed to go for a fossil expedition with a local palaeontology society. I was invited by a dear friend, and got to accompany him, and his son, along with the rest of the group. The weather was supreme. It was nice too, because I got to wander and listen to music, when everyone else chipped at rocks. I found some AMAZING fossils, as well as some GORGEOUS crystal rocks. I did some trading with my friend’s son of rocks as well, and ended up with more pieces (he wanted less… I don’t think he wanted to carry them all back haha) My friend also gifted me some fossils, which I will post later (cause trust me theres lots for me to post already haha)

Above are my highlights of the day, trust me there’s a lot more.

(Rocks and fossils from Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada)

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My second finished tumbler batch! I’m so proud, and BEYOND happy with how these turned out 😍🥰🤗

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The first batch of rock Nanaimo Bars are finished! I have shaped and polished the side. I left the top and bottoms as is (I may have flattened a few of the bottoms to make them sit flat on a surface) because the love raw textures of the top and bottoms. I’ve shown the top of a particularly gorgeous one.

Polishing the sides really brought out the colours and variety in the pieces. The agate has so much depth, and the crystalline like edges are PHENOMENAL, they look like a crystal forest. The little inclusions on some pieces are sooo cute!

I absolutely love these pieces, and I’m a little emotional that I’ll be selling them eventually. Many people myself included say they look good enough to eat!!!

I showed the minis both raw and polished with and without flash to see the differences.

(Rocks found in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada)

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She’s finished ✨

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I’m about to start the most emotional and risky part of my rockhounding/lapidary journey at the end of this year… my first post on this page talked about how I love that rocks tell stories, and I proceeded to tell a story about my grandpa.

Well September 5th of 2025 marked one year since he passed, and since my initial post I have learned so much, gained so many skills, made so many connections, and grown both in lapidary skill and personally.

One thing that never has and never will change is the endless love I have for Grandpa. I miss him everyday, and there are times I wish for nothing more than to hug him one last time, tell him I love him, listen to a story of his, ask him for advice, or just talk…

These are the same rocks (but better photos) of the rocks from his and my auntie Vicky’s farm they grew up on. They are extremely varied, beautiful, and special to me. Without grandpa’s passing so many things wouldn’t have happened in my life, and I truly feel him watching over and with me. I wouldn’t have these rocks without him on the otherside…

These rocks mean the world to me, and there are some of them I am going to tumble this winter. With tumbling them comes risk, and possible reward. Many of them I am keeping as is, and some I am gifting to my Grandpa’s girlfriend, and family. But there are some I want to tumble and see what I get. I know that with tumbling them comes the risk of breakage, undesirable results, and losing a piece of him… I’ve clinged to many items of his, and I fear losing any piece I have.

My Grandpa was a brave man, and showed no fear in the face of challenge or adversity. So in his honour I am taking a risk and tumbling part of this batch. Some of the tumble rocks are not pictured and videoed above. I will be posting the results. I have two more batches I wish to do before Grandpa’s. I know it’s a risk, but as Grandpa always said, “Fuck around, find out”. I miss you Grandpa. I love you more than I have words for ❤️🪨

[heartnosekid]

galaxy fluorites 🌌 | pacificminerals on ig

[milky-quartz-way]

Look at this beauty