#1 Rock Identfy App⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Here's how to identify 44 of the most common igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock types with a handy rock identification chart.
Hag stones are fascinating and steeped in lore and legend. But what actually makes up a hag stone? Where can you find them?
My kids are big rock collectors so we are learning to identify rocks this year. They are bringing rocks home from places all the time. They also find a lot in our yard to collect.
french-knot: via loveliness
How to Identify a Mineral: Identifying minerals is like playing a sport. You are given a specific set of principles or rules to follow. To be good at a sport like basketball, for instance, one must not only know the rules, but he/she must also practice. The same concepts appl…
From deep blues and vibrant reds to watermelon-like combos of green and pink, tourmalines can be found in a rainbow of beautiful colors! But out in the fiel
One of the most common frustrations we have as rock collectors is identifying the cool rocks we find. It's fun to discover a cool-looking rock and add it to your collection, but it can often be difficult to know exactly what it is you've found. I have found that there aren't a lot of great ...
This master guide with annotated pictures will help you identify rock-forming, accessory, and rare or notable minerals.
Fascinating facts and photos featuring the most common beach stones found along Lake Michigan shorelines, as well as several unusual kinds; includes various types of basalt, septarian, limestone, granite, gabbro, diorite, gneiss, schist, sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, geodes, chalcedony and agate.
How do you know if that rock you found is a geode? Here are a couple of things you can do to know if it's a geode and what to do if it is.
Learning the basics of mineral identification is easy. All you need are a few simple tools and your own powers of careful observation.
Good quality agates and jaspers can actually be very valuable. Large pieces can be used for lapidary work. Learn how to identify them properly.
Igneous rock samples After a week of overt techno-stupidity, it's time to move back into the wide world of the internet and see what dumbassery's out there that isn't published at Techwalla.com. As luck would have it, one of our researchers ran across what may well be one of the worst guides to rock identification ever printed, compliments of Kelly Townsend at, you guessed it, eHow. Here's our rebuttal of the post Kelly compiled in response to the search phrase "How to Identify Stones,"¹ which now lives (for unknown reasons) at GoneOutdoors.com. We asked our staff geologist what the keys are to identifying "stones." He said that you classify rocks based on two criteria, texture and mineralogy. By texture, he says, he means the shape of the mineral grains that make up the rock and their relationship to each other. Once you have that nailed, we're told, you look at the mineral or minerals present in the rock. You can be either extremely general or outrageously nit-picky, but you can't be as dumb as Townsend, who said things like Igneous stones don't have much layering or texture and are usually white, black or grey. Sedimentary stones are hardened layers and primarily brown. Metaphoric [sic] rocks are usually light in color and feature shiny layers. To identify stones, you must gather information about each stone, including its luster and hardness. The luster of a stone refers to its ability to reflect light. Luster is categorized as either metallic or non-metallic. If it is metallic, the surface will shine like metal. If it's non-metallic, it will have a dull surface. If a stone can be scratched with a fingernail, the hardness is approximately 2.5. If it can be scratched wtih [sic]a penny, it's 3.5. If it takes a knife blade, it's 4.5. Lastly, if glass can scratch the stone it's 5.5 on the hardness scale. To which our geologist replied, Color is not a diagnostic of rock type. Color is not diagnostic of rock type, and not all sedimentary rocks are layered or brown -- all the rocks in the picture above are igneous, even the brown ones. Color is not diagnostic of rock type, and not all "metaphoric" rocks have "shiny layers." No, Kelly, rocks don't have luster. No, Kelly, rocks don't have a specific hardness. That's because they're (usually) composed of multiple minerals that all have different colors, hardness, and luster. Idiot. So... Townsend confuses the identification of rocks with the identification of minerals. Not only that, but she seems to think that "location" is one of the characteristics you use to identify a stone, be it rock or mineral. Umm, no -- and for that sort of dumbassery, Kelly is the proud recipient of the Dumbass of the Day award. ¹ The original has been deleted by Leaf Group, but can still be accessed using the Wayback machine at archive.org. Its URL was ehow.com/how_4488928_identify-stones.html copyright © 2016-2021 scmrak SI - GEOLOGY
Learn more about major types of sedimentary rocks including arkose, alabaster, rock gypsum, sandstone, rock salt, and coal.
Fascinating facts and photos featuring the most common beach stones found along Lake Michigan shorelines, as well as several unusual kinds; includes various types of basalt, septarian, limestone, granite, gabbro, diorite, gneiss, schist, sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, geodes, chalcedony and agate.
We invite you to explore this handy guide to help you identify and explore your newest additions to your rock collection.
Everything you ever wanted to know about eudialyte. Find value guidelines, scientific data, expert comments, and more in our Gemstone Listings.
Learn how to identify your rock and mineral samples with these articles. These articles will help you use your Mini Me Geology rock and mineral kits effectively. We have dichotomous keys for minerals, igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks
The new DK Nature Guides form a comprehensive, accessible, and informative series of illustrated reference books that tackle key natural history subjects in DK's uniquely visual style. Produced in collaboration with expert consultants at the Smithsonian Institution, each guide is expertly written and will give you knowledge of the natural world at your fingertips.From blue schist to blue granite, malachite to meteorites, and taconite to travertine, Nature Guide Rocks and Minerals is packed full of stunning images that reveal intricate details and unique characteristics of each rock and mineral.Using close-up photographs of every specimen and profiles containing examples from all over the world, Nature Guide Rocks and Minerals brings revealing key facets and details perfect for quick identification.
Identifying common minerals can be a fun and rewarding activity, allowing you to appreciate the diverse beauty and complexity of the natur...
Whether you’re a would-be prospector or just naturally curious, knowing which rocks contain gold can be something of a challenge. Here's six rocks known for containing gold.
