About: Alison

Headshot by Robbie Augspurger

My world revolves around rocks. I am fascinated by their geological history, as well as their cultural uses, scandals, and philospophical interventions. My work is multifaceted and I have survived professionally as a lapidary artist, author, and outfitter guide. My usefulness revolves around locating rocks, minerals, and fossils of all varieties, particularly material that has use in craft and sculpture. 

I am the author of Beautiful Rocks & How To Find Them (Princeton Architectural Press, 2024) and A Rockhound's Guide to Oregon & Washington (Mountaineers Books, 2025). For several years I published THUNDEREGG, a zine that dives into the lives we share with the mineral realm.

I am the creative founder of the Green River Rocks Festival in Green River Utah, where I collaborate with everyone's favorite rural non-profit Epicenter and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The festival has been running for over a decade! 

Protecting and preserving high desert ecosystems is part of my life's work. I proudly serve on the BLM Southeastern Oregon Regional Advisory Council where I advocate for the conservation of our irreplacable sagebrush country. I am also a member of the Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board, a group that works to protect Oregon's interest in the cleanup of the profoundly contaminated atomic weapons production site along the Columbia River.  Recently, I have had the pleasure of joining the Oregon Natural Desert Association as a Conservation Advisor and hope to do good work protecting the last of our sagebrush sea from industrial development. 

Home is Portland, Oregon, where I am a proud member of the Mt. Hood Rock Club and the Northwest Stone Sculptors Association.  

Consider joining me on one of my guided rock collecting trips in Oregon and Nevada, or venture out to Utah for Green River Rocks! Make sure to sign up for my mailing list to receive updates about guided trips, publications, and first dibs on new jewelry. Consider following me me on instagram, though I'm ramping down there a bit: @alisonjeancole.  ⚒ ♡