From: KayBushHog-(a)-aol.com
Monday, November 06, 2000
Subject: sand roses
 
Sir, I would like more info on the Saudi sand rose. I was told they are illegal to own in the US, is this so?
 
I have one that was given to me roughly 20 years ago and have just now started researching them. Any info would help.
 
Thanks.
 
Mickey
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REPLY:
 
Hello Mickey and thanks for contacting Saudicaves!
 
I checked with two geologists, both of whom assured me that owning a sand rose in the USA is not illegal.   However, I do recall that in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, back in the early 1980's, signs suddenly appeared in the sabkha areas (where people used to dig up sand roses) announcing that such digging was no longer allowed.   There were rumors that certain individuals had been making a lot of money selling some of the largest (nearly a meter high) in Europe.
 
For information on sand rose formation, please click here and let us know if you have further questions.
 
John Pint