This was purchased for my son for Christmas – he loves studying rocks/minuerals. When he opened this gift, he immediately started “mining”. You would think a child would lose interest if it takes a long time to get to the quartz, but he stayed with it and was so excited. He can’t wait to go back to school and show his class.
Rating: 5 / 5

My daughter received this Quartz Mining Kit for her 8th birthday. She had previously seen it at a toy store and asked for it. She’s quite interested in rocks, minerals, and “jewels.” She worked enthusiastically for an hour or so until time for that day’s play ran out. Then it got more or less “put aside” for several months, until one day she asked to work on it. After perhaps two or three hours, and with some help from me, she managed to free all of the quartz crystals. She’d get quite excited when part of another crystal was uncovered, and she kept at it with just a bit of encouragement. She really enjoyed it, loves the crystals and the little bag for them. Good activity for an 8 year old child.

It is a lot of work but can be done! I recommend using several plastic picnic-type knives, with the little serrations on them. Of course the serrations become worn off, but meanwhile the child can make good progress. Try sawing, scraping, using the tool point, breaking chunks off, anything! Good outdoor project because of the dust, but we did quite a bit indoors on an old tablecloth.
Rating: 4 / 5