I posted this in a general discussion thread and several people liked the idea, so I figured I ought to post it here in the Ideas lair: I think it would be fun if all of the rocks gave you something towards an artifacty item, but the most common reward would be 1 or 2 beads that you need like 100 of to make a necklace (as opposed to the "cooler" artifacts that have 4 or so pieces but are much more rare).
That way, artifacts are still something to work towards that will take time to achieve, but no one would have the disappointment of getting currants from their rocks.