Meet the Rock Man.
Mike Manning, a.k.a. “the Rock Man,” has traveled most of the United States collecting rocks from across the country and around the world. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology and has more than 50 years of experience with rocks — as a collector, hobbyist, small business owner and educator, including 30 years teaching seventh and eighth grade science.
His business, Manning’s Rock Shop, features hundreds of types of tumbled stones — most of which Mike tumbles himself through a process he has perfected over the years. He sells tumblers and supplies (grit, polish and rough rock) and is always happy to help a new hobbyist get started.
The shop, open by appointment, offers a wide variety of minerals for collectors of all experience levels; trilobites, megalodon teeth, fossil fish and many other common and uncommon fossils; a brilliant array of crystal display pieces (amethyst, rose quartz, quartz and more); unique gift items, including rock carvings, bookends and jewelry; geodes that can be cut on-site; and mixed bags of gemstones, minerals and fossils for home mining.