Rock Rescue
Breathing New Life into old Geological Collections
Our mission is simple – we want to rescue and repurpose geological collections (rocks, minerals and fossils) that are no longer wanted so that they can continue to inspire and be studied by the next generation of geologists and naturalists.
Our objectives
Working with the wider geological community and our partners, the team will appraise your unwanted geological collection and work towards repurposing as much of it as possible including donations to museums, handling material for schools, colleges and field study centres.
We will support all potential donors of geological collections particularly those people who are dealing with collections they may not be familiar with or have knowledge about.
The repurposed geological collections will continue to use the original documentation they came with including the collector and collection details. This ensures the integrity of the collection continues beyond the life of the collector as well as leaving a valued legacy.
The collections we’re interested in?
We are limiting our interest in collections to the south west of England.
We are interested in geology collections (rocks, minerals and fossils) that are no longer wanted.
We will take collections from bereaved families of collectors.
We will accept collections from individuals and institutions such as schools, colleges, universities and museums.
We will accept collections of any size and of any age.
We are particularly interested in curated collections. These are collections that are often labeled so we know where and when they were found.
Important background information includes biographic detail of the collector/s and the sites where collections were made.
We will take collection cabinets, housing collections, if they are offered.
The service we provide is entirely free, so we are unable to offer any financial reward for the collection.
Ensuring Geological Collections Live On
Every collection has a story, and we are proud to share where these geological treasures head next. From local schools and colleges to the Somerset Earth Science Centre and regional museums, our recent rescues are already inspiring the next generation of geologists.
We are currently showcasing a small selection of our successfully rehomed collections and will be adding more stories as we continue to save specimens from being lost to history.
Give Your Collection a New Purpose
At Rock Rescue, we ensure that unwanted fossil and geological collections find a meaningful home rather than gathering dust or facing disposal. We provide a professional "rescue" service to re-home your specimens where they can inspire others.
How it works:
Free & Fair:
We accept collections free of charge to ensure they are preserved for the future.
Broad Impact:
While some collections stay together, most are carefully dispersed to museums, schools, and the Somerset Earth Science Centre to maximize their educational value.
Full Transfer:
We handle the official transfer of ownership and will find the right geological destination for every piece.
Support the Mission:
While not essential, financial donations are welcomed to help us cover the costs of transport, curation, and re-purposing.
Let us help you find the right home for your fossils.
Find out how to donate your fossil collection
If you have a collection that needs a new home, please fill out our donation form to help us rescue and repurpose these specimens.
About Rock Rescue
Find out more about our team and partners.