Stories In Stones

Wow! Only now seeing the reviews after walking into this shop on a whim, and I’m glad to see my enthusiasm for this place is shared by many others. My kids are complete nuts about rocks, and my wife loves collecting agates, so you could imagine how incredibly excited we were to discover this isn’t your typical «pretty rock» reseller, but instead is a vast mecca in terms of diverse collections and absolute knowledge about everything you find in the ground. You know you’re in the right place when you find the owners happily answering your questions at length. Along the wall you’ll see pictures of the owners during their trips into the mines of South America. There are so many fossils, rocks, shells, etc, you won’t have time to see them all in one visit.
On top of it all, the prices are very reasonable and it is difficult to walk out of the store without purchasing something to remember the trip by. Highly, highly recommended.

When I went into this store, I had to fight with all my strength not to spend all my money there. They have everything from beautiful stones, to intricate sea shells, to (my favorite part) butterflies and bats. I wound up hesitantly leaving with two butterfly displays and I love them very much. I am definitely coming back and next time, I am coming with more money

My newest «happy place.» All of the positive reviews have been my experience, especially Karma’s review. It brings back childhood memories of walking through my rural town to the local rock shop, spending all of my babysitting money on fascinating shiny things that came out of the earth (learning a bit about each one). Being in the shop here brought back that exact same sense of wonder, which is a terrific feeling to have in your 30s! We also got to speak with the owner at length and learned a LOT. His enthusiasm is contagious. We hope the store is around for a long time to come.

Amazing little store that if you drive bye your going to miss tones of cool gems to fossils to butterfly even bats. They have shark teeth to make necklaces at home from low end 1 to 10 dollar price range to 50 and up. Bought my sister a grouping of butterflys. Even offered to wrap present free of charge! Great owners that care about product they go and actually seek items out worth a stop guarantee you will be in there more then 5 min looking at cool things

This is the most impressive store I have ever seen. The owner’s passion, knowledge and lifes’ work is felt in every inch of this establishment.
And above all, he loves to answer every question to the fullest.
A Scholar and true Wizard in his past life!
Thank you.

One of my all time favorite sources of stones and crystals! The owners are knowledgable and helpful, their inventory is staggeringly varied and complete. I love this store!

This gem is an experience. When you walk in it seems the stones are greeting you with their smells, sights, uniqueness, sizes small and large. While being adorned with beautiful crystals and gemstones swimming among them in the form of beautiful handmade pieces… Then just beyond lies the history of the rocks, gems and minerals of calaveras in the forms of pictures from antiquity, tales (both written and word) and treasures! If you have a chance to visit this enchanting place you won’t forget it.

I work with Pam and Russ for wholesale supplies and have been more than pleased with their service. They are truly kind folks who have a real appreciation for what they’re selling and for their customers.
There might be opportunities out there to get the «same» product for less, but you’ll never match Stories In Stones quality, service, and value.
Someday I hope to be able to visit in person!

Fabulous treasure of a store for rocks, minerals and fossils. There is an educational area in back along with a wholesale area where the public can also shop with a 50% mark up. My family was like kids in a candy store — and we don’t collect rocks!!!

Love this store! There are so many countless items to look at and we were able to get a special gift for each of our family members here. There is something for everyone here at this super neat store!

You MUST go here! Put it on your bucket list — trust me!
I went to Moaning Cavern with my daughter and bought a beautiful rock at their shop, but when I discovered this store (I had lunch at Sidewingers and this was right across it — great place for lunch by the way), I realized that the rock I bought and other rocks were more expensive than the equivalent rocks here. My daughter and I spent a good hour in the store and their wholesale shop in the back. We were simply in awe of what we were seeing. The owner (Russ) was simply walking around, picking rocks, and greeting customers. What a sweet man. I asked him how one can possibly have such a collection. And his response was that he’s been collecting for many years (time was by his side, cuz he told me he was 80-​somethin), plus his mother had a rock store and his wife collected as well. I mean, the variety and beauty of everything they had was simply breathtaking. There’s uniques things for anyones liking. This is the place for buying gifts for others and yourself :)

The Shoemakers, Pam and Russ, make this wonderful store their home. To simply call it a «rock shop» would be a major dis-​service. They have beautiful jewelry, amazing fossils, and the extensive knowledge to explore all the many varied and colorful gems in the location. Stories in Stones is actually a history lesson and shopping experience wrapped in one. We’ve been going since they were up in Murphy’s across from the Murphy’s Hotel, where they were located for many years. Now in Angels Camp, the legend continues. Russ is pretty much like a real Indiana Jones, he KNOWS his minerals. Well worth the stop, and bring some $$. We always leave with some gold. Really. (As other posters have said, check out the back room, they’ve got some Amethyst that’ll blow you away. . and you’ll need a truck to get ‘em home, too)

This store deserves 6 stars. It’s fabulous! It’s not just a store but a museum and classroom.
Don’t get sidetracked by the front retail store. Start in either of the back rooms (classroom) or the collection room and then work your way to the front.
They have so much! Not just rocks but fossils, bones, pictures.
Talk to the couple who owns the store. They were both there earlier this week. They are very knowledgeable and so willing to share!

I visited this store while passing through Angels Camp recently. As an avid mineral collector, I was a bit disappointed. First, though they have quite a few attractive specimens in display cases, the identification cards with the minerals are very vague with respect to the locality of origin of each piece. In fact, most of the cards only listed a state, a country, or — in some cases — a continent (e.g. Africa). For a serious mineral collector, locality is important. Second, I noticed that some of the mineral displays featured written explanations of the so-​called metaphysical properties of the minerals in them. Frankly, I am immediately turned off to a dealer when I see such a thing, as are many serious collectors. It seems to me that collectors who seriously study minerals and hunt for good specimens are not this store s desired clientele.

This store is a geologist paradise.

This is a must see spot if you are anywhere near. There are no stores like this anywhere… It’s actually not just a store, it’s more like a museum where most things are for sale. Russ and Pam are geologists and and gracious hosts, they love explaining Earth’s history. Wonderful place for kids too.

One of the coolest Rock Shops EVER! I love all of the knowledge in this place. There is so much information on Minerals, Fossils, gems, shells and lots of shiny things… Save your money on a Gem class and come hang here for an afternoon… You will learn something… It really is like going to a Geo Museum… And they are really nice too…

Walking down Main Street in Angels Camp we went into what looked like a rock/​mining store. This place is amazing — everything is displayed beautifully. I think this is the best rock and mineral collection I have ever seen — the store goes on forever. They even have dinosaur fossils and Mastodon Fossils. Very unique and it is obvious that whoever runs this store is incredibly knowledgable. Prices are very reasonable for some very unusual things.

While in Angels Camp after going to Mercer Caverns, we stumbled into Stories in Stone, WOW what and experience!!!
The inventory was wonderful with geodes, fossils, minerals, shells, gems and just great geological stuff!!!
While the Queen, Princesses and I wandered about we met Russ Shoemaker the proprietor of the place… what a wonderful teacher and knowledgeable man. Russ not only explained to us about his inventory, he taught us about the earth and ourselves. My princesses, the Queen and I along with five other patrons were enthralled with his lecture as we toured the wholesale half of the store and we followed him into the classroom he has in the back.
Russ is an expert in Paleontology and has dedicated his life to learning about the ancient beasts that used to room our world, he has a personal dig outside of Bakersfield, CA that has provided him with plenty of samples to display in his classroom.
We could have spent many hours with Russ, but we had to leave. Please stop by and check out Stories in Stone you will not regret the time.