Customers can buy rocks and minerals ranging from a few dollars to hundreds. (Roo Moody/Community Impact)
After spending their weekends mining for rocks and minerals in Brazil, Jacob and Astrid Proctor relocated to Katy, where Jacob Proctor spent some of his teenage years growing up.
While living in Brazil, the couple would mine for minerals and rocks and export their findings to the previous owners and founders of the Katy Rock Shop, Bruce and Carol Huff. When the Huffs were ready to retire in 2019, the Proctors stepped in and took over.
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In the past few years, the Proctors have expanded the services offered at the shop, featuring experiences such as a mobile sluice, where students can hunt for gems, as well as dinosaur rides.
Jacob and Astrid Proctor both studied geology and mined for rare minerals in Brazil. (Roo Moody/Community Impact)
The Proctors also added a variety of classes and camps for both children and adults, including lessons on the rock cycle, dinosaurs, fossils and field testing.
Jacob Proctor, an Earth and atmospheric scientist, said he especially loves seeing adults fall back in love with their childhood passions.
“I think rocks and minerals transcend age,” he said. “Because kids, they look at rocks the same way an 85-year-old lady looks at a rock: [with] the expression of marvel, the look of awe, it doesn't change between each.”
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Along with classes, Katy Rock Shop also hosts events at birthdays, homeschool or co-op gatherings and school workshops with Katy ISD.
Jacob Proctor said each class is customized for different ages and that they have developed curricula for various grade levels.
“While we don't all need rocks, I think everyone needs the appreciation for how rocks come to be,” Jacob Proctor said. “So, the best way I thought to really get people interested in the same passion I am and that [Astrid] has is to teach people fundamentals about how rocks get here.”
Katy Rock Shop sells a variety of rocks and minerals, including geodes of all sizes. (Roo Moody/Community Impact)
What to expect
At Katy Rock Shop, customers can shop for rocks and minerals ranging from a few dollars to a hundred dollars.
While crystals such as amethysts tend to be most popular, the store is also known for showcasing rarer minerals and large geodes.
Most recently, Jacob Proctor said he went and collected a piece of the meteorite that fell from Earth’s atmosphere into the Cypress area that is now cased in the display room.
