Rocks Worth Money: What Your Finds Are Really Worth
Most rocks you pick up are worth little or nothing. But some finds do sell for real money, from meteorites and gold nuggets to trilobites, amber and big megalodon teeth. Here are the finds collectors actually pay for, with typical 2026 prices and a full value guide for each.
Finds That Can Be Worth Money
Typical prices from dealers and auctions. Each guide shows what raises the price, how to check it's real and where to sell.
Meteorite
about $0.50–$5 per gram for common types; $25 to $1,000+ per gram for lunar and Martian
See prices and testsGold Nugget
about $165–$180 per gram at dealers for 1–20 g nuggets; a refiner pays about $95–$120
See prices and testsMoldavite
about $20–$80 per gram for most genuine pieces; $70–$500+ for top Besednice pieces
See prices and testsMegalodon Tooth
about $20–$400 for most teeth; $1,000–$4,000+ for top-quality 5–6 inch teeth
See prices and testsTrilobite
about $5–$150 for most trilobites; $600–$3,250+ for rare spiny species
See prices and testsAmmonite
about $2–$150 for most ammonites; $1,000–$20,000+ for large, rare or gem-quality pieces
See prices and testsAmber
a few dollars for plain pieces; about $10–$75 with common insects; $1,000–$4,300 for rare inclusions
See prices and testsAgate
about $2–$16 per pound for most rough; rare types and top Lake Superior agates far more
See prices and testsGeode
about $2–$60 for most geodes; amethyst cathedrals about $10–$56 per pound
See prices and testsPetrified Wood
about $6–$12 per pound rough; $50–$1,000 for most polished pieces; logs and tables far more
See prices and testsPetoskey Stone
about $6–$20 per pound unpolished; $8–$55 each polished; jewelry $25–$250
See prices and testsIs My Rock Valuable? 6 Signs Worth Checking
None of these proves anything on its own, but each one is a good reason to look closer.
- 1
It's heavy and a magnet sticks to it
It could be a meteorite: about 95% of meteorites attract a fridge magnet. Magnetite and slag stick too, so run the other tests before you get excited.
Meteorite tests - 2
It's gold-colored and dents instead of crumbling
Gold is soft, dents under a pin and leaves a yellow streak. Pyrite (fool's gold) is brittle and leaves a greenish-black streak.
Gold vs fool's gold - 3
Light shines through it and it has bands
That's likely agate. Most agate is cheap, but rare types and big, crack-free stones with bold banding are worth much more.
Agate prices - 4
It's round and feels light for its size
It could be a hollow geode. A big cavity makes a geode lighter than a solid rock of the same size.
Geode prices - 5
It has a fossil in it
Trilobites, ammonites and big shark teeth are among the fossils collectors pay for. Completeness and condition matter most.
Megalodon tooth prices - 6
It has sharp crystal faces or strong color
Crystals and gem rough are priced by type, size, color and clarity, and many cheap 'crystals' are glass or dyed.
Are my crystals real?
Gemstone Prices Per Carat
Cut gems and gem rough are priced per carat. Broad 2026 retail ranges for gem-quality stones:
Before You Sell
Confirm what it is
A photo ID is a good first step. Then use the tests in the value guide, and a specialist dealer or lab for anything that could be valuable.
Compare sold prices, not asking prices
Dealers' asking prices are much higher than what private sellers usually get. At regional auctions, many finds sell for a fraction of retail.
Check the rules where you found it
Collecting is banned in national parks. On BLM land, rockhounding is for personal use, and selling what you collect needs a permit.
Sell where collectors look
Specialist dealers, rock shows and auctions reach serious buyers. You can also list finds in the Ruby Glint app's marketplace and chat directly with buyers.
Find out what your rock is worth
Snap a photo in the Ruby Glint app to identify it, see an estimated value and keep your finds in one collection.
Rocks Worth Money Questions
Get answers to common questions about rock identification, rockhounding, and using our platform.
Among things people find themselves, meteorites, gold nuggets, moldavite, large megalodon teeth, rare trilobites and ammonites, and top agates sell for the most. Gem-quality diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald sell for the most per carat. Ordinary rocks usually have little resale value.
Identify it first; a photo ID tells you what it most likely is. Then check it with the tests in its value guide and compare sold prices for the same type, size and quality. For anything that could be worth hundreds of dollars, ask a specialist dealer or a lab.
Usually not much, because most backyard rocks are common types. The exceptions depend on where you live: geodes around Keokuk (Iowa, Illinois and Missouri), agates around Lake Superior, Petoskey stones in northern Michigan, and fossils in many areas.
Specialist dealers pay for top pieces but usually buy below retail. Rock shows and regional auctions reach collectors directly. You can also list finds in the Ruby Glint app's marketplace and chat with buyers.
It depends on the land. National parks ban collecting. On BLM land, rockhounding is for personal use and selling what you collect needs a permit, and vertebrate fossils need a permit to collect at all. Get permission on private land.