Rock hounding is more than a hobby for author Jim Magnuson, it's a serious and rewarding avocation that helps him connect with nature. He has been an avid hunter and student of various gems, minerals and fossils since his childhood when he first began to hunt for stones in his native state of Illinois. In addition, Jim enjoys sharing his passion not only through showing and gifting some of his finds, but also through writing, another lifelong interest. While much of his writing and presenting is done in a professional setting, he has recently begun to develop his creative writing talents through storytelling that is centered around his rock hounding adventures. As Jim has begun to share his enjoyment for and knowledge of rocks and minerals, he has also become more engaged with rock and mineral clubs as a way to further his learning and branch out into other types of agates, gemstones and geology. Jim will gladly offer his insights in areas that he is knowledgeable and listen intently to others who have gone before him in different rock hounding domains. It is an endless journey that he hopes to continue sharing with those who find beauty and wonder in earth's treasures.

Carol Wood took up professional photography as a means of satisfying a lifelong passion for creating and sharing things of beauty. She has a keen eye for seeing perspectives in things that on the surface appear to be mundane or quite simple. Given her training and natural instincts for complementary color and patterns, Carol has been able to take beautiful gemstones and turn them into "paintings" that are stunning to avid rock hounds and to those who have never had an appreciation for rocks and minerals. In addition to Carol's photographic pursuits, she also enjoys outdoor activities with her friends and family, especially activities that have both a mental and physical component. As a result, she has become an avid rock hound in her own right and has gradually built a collection of beautiful agates that adorn her home in northern Illinois. Being able to work on this book was a win-win as Carol has a great fondness for the Black Hills and found Betty and Tom Woodden to be the perfect partners.