Bethany Burke, aka BK Bones, is a paleontologist and certified fossil preparator who shares her passion for the prehistoric with engaging talks and lively demonstrations designed for school-aged children. BK Bones is a big proponent of STEAM education and makes questioning, exploration and creativity the heart of her approach. Hear her many stories about searching for fossils around the US, as well as educating others.

Dustin Twiss, of the Oglala Sioux, in South Dakota is a rockhound and artist. He collects Fairburn agates and uses the patterns of Fairburn agates for his "fortification art" which has won multiple awards. As Dustin says, "I combine my appreciation of nature and culture within my artwork to help share traditional Lakota knowledge.”

Our first lapidary artist of the season is the well known TikToker, Kelsey Darnold. A stay-at-home mum of 4, she became a social media sensation about 4 years ago when she purchased her first tumbler. Kelsey is a lapidary art instructor for children, an entrepreneur selling cabs and polished specimens, as well as a popular lapidary artist on TikTok.

The Royal Peacock Opal Mines are a 4th generation Opal mining company in Nevada. The mines are known for having gorgeous black and fire opals from the Virgin Valley. We’ll chat with Jake Anderson, the current mine owner, about the history of his mines, and the gorgeous gemstones that the public can collect.

Moha Mezane has been hunting fossils and minerals in the Sahara desert of Morocco for over 15 years. Moha also organizes geological field trips across Morocco and is most famously-known for the new shark species he discovered in 2020 from the Devonian Period. This new species is even named after him, Maghriboselache Mohamezanei.

Joe Soukup, an experienced Herkimer Diamond miner, invited Rockhound Talk Live to his private mine. In this episode we discuss Joe's journey with finding Herkimer Diamonds and starting a mine, as well as tips and tools for collecting Herkimer Diamonds.

Meet the Arkansas Crystal Girls- two adventurous best friends who love to travel the beautiful state of Arkansas searching for quartz crystals. After a few viral videos on TikTok this past year showing some of their digging adventures, these besties have made it their goal to help encourage others to enjoy the hobby.