Searching for the perfect rock

For the last 14 years, Tami Corbett has been selling rocks in Wimberley.

Her motivation is simple: “I like rocks,” says Tami.

The Broken Arrow Rock Shop and Gallery at 13904 Ranch Road 12 is filled with sparkly crystals, polished geodes and containers of rocks designed to appeal to the kids. It’s been around Wimberley for 60-some years.

Prices at the shop range from 50 cents to more than $6,000.

Children love the shop because of the colorful rocks and fossils that take them back to the time when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Many adults visit Broken Arrow because they believe the rocks impart certain metaphysical properties. “After all, this is Wimberley,” says Tami, whose friends call her Trigg.

And, of course, there are the rock collectors.

Metaphysical properties

Rocks have long been thought to be spiritual. For example, selenite, a translucent crystal is said to relieve tension, clear the mind and stimulate healing. Agate, a stone with bold patterns and rings, gives energy and courage and increases self confidence. Many believe fluorite, a colorful crystal, will reduce pain if placed on an affected area.

“People carry them around or have one on the nightstand for the metaphysical properties,” explains Tami.

Among the more popular items at Broken Arrow are the Dinosaur Kits that contain ancient bones and eggs, and Minerals Kits with 20 or so rock samples mounted and labeled.

On Halloween, when most of the stores around town are giving out candy to the kids, Tami hands them a small rock. “They get plenty of candy and I tell them not to eat it,” she says with a smile.

Some of the specimens are pretty pricey. There’s a 420-pound ammonite fossil from Madagascar that’s “a couple hundred million years” old that has to be moved around with a fork lift. The price tag on that one is more than $6,000 dollars. Another featured piece is a large fossil from Wyoming with fish and plants you’d swear was painted on until you examine it closely.

Tami is particular about the rocks she offers at Broken Arrow. “There are some companies that are like the Wal-Mart of rocks,” she says. “They will send you the stuff they want to get rid of.”

Picks her own rocks

Instead, she heads to the big rock shows — Tucson at the end of January and Denver in September — with her truck and a trailer. “I have been going to the Tucson show for 15 years now,” she says, “and I still haven’t seen everything. It’s all over town.

“I’d rather buy rocks at the show, pick them out myself and get what I want.”

She stocks up at the Denver show to get her through the holidays, the busiest time at Broken Arrow.

Tami left Houston where she ran restaurants and a catering business to come to Wimberley. She was a customer at Broken Arrow before buying the shop from Dan Keicki, who had run it for 20 years.

There are a handful of books at Broken Arrow, but pretty much it’s all rocks. There’s no room for rock tumblers, saws and other equipment and gear rock collectors use, says Tami.

Part of the beauty of rock collecting is that it’s accessible to everyone. There are rocks everywhere. In the Hill Country, arrowheads and fossils are often found.

“Once you find that first arrowhead, you are hooked,” says Tami.