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Rockhounding for Dummies
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 | Rockhounding for Dummies is your (Basic 101) text on Rockhounding as taught by all the experts or wannabees on the WIKI. You are invited to post your knowledge of the subject (hopefully correct). With this new-found knowledge, we Dummies will graduate to simply slightly informed novices. Which can be quite dangerous you know. |
| WHAT IS A ROCKHOUND ? A person who has a nose for rocks and likes to lick 'em? |
| Rockhounding is the recreational collecting of rocks and/or mineral specimens from their natural environment. Early rockhounds were prospectors looking for valuable minerals and gemstones for commercial purposes. Eventually, however, more and more people have been drawn to rockhounding for recreational purposes, mainly for the beauty that rocks and minerals provide, and for the sheer fun of collecting them yourself. The rockhound's principal piece of equipment is the rock hammer. This small tool has a pick-like point on one end and a flat hammer on the other. It should be noted, however, that the hammer end is for breaking rocks and the pick end is mainly used for prying and digging into crevasses. The pick end of most rock hammers can dull quickly if struck onto bare rock. Getting started in rockhounding is easy; a collection can begin with a single "pretty" rock. However, there are many clubs and groups that rockhound together. Libraries, bookstores, and gem and mineral shows are very good sources of published information on where to find such groups. Also, tourist info centers and small-town chambers of commerce can supply valuable local information. The Internet can also be a useful tool and can help you find buddies in the hobby. The avid collector will learn quite a bit of petrology (the study of rocks and how they form), mineralogy and geology in search of collecting location information as well as in the identification and classifying of specimens, and preparation for display. The hobby can lead naturally into lapidary or mineral and gemstone cutting and mounting. The needed equipment then includes rock saws and polishers. Many beautiful crystal varieties are typically found in very small samples which requires a good microscope for working with and photographing the specimen. The hobby can be as simple as finding pretty rocks for a windowsill or develop into a detailed and comprehensive museum quality display. Wekipedia A TRUE ROCKHOUND That's not a ball or a bone. This boy prospects for treasures!   You might be a rockhound if you think road cuts are tourist attractions. You might be a rockhound if you stand waiting by the sign that reads " WATCH FOR FALLING ROCK." You might be a rockhound if your living room looks like an exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum. You might be a rockhound if your screen saver on your personal computer features pictures of rocks. You might be a rockhound if you find rocks when you empty your pockets at night. You might be a rockhound if you have a two car garage and your 4WD pickup sets outside You might be a rockhound if your thumbs are squashed flat from constantly hitting them with a rock hammer. You might be a rockhound if you will dig a ten foot deep hole in 110 degree heat to find a walnut size agate and say you are having fun. You might be a rockhound if you are invited to a party and you spend the time searching through the gravel in the host's flower bed. You might be a rockhound if you think "Rock and Roll" has to do with a rock tumbler. You might be a rockhound if a leg breaks off your furniture and you have the right size stone to replace it. You might be a rockhound if your wife opens the dishwasher and yells your name. You might be a rockhound if you're thrilled over what others ignore. You might be a rockhound when you treat your rock saw like a classic car and restore it. You might be a rockhound if you have never lost the love and wonder of life and the beauty of creation. Thanks to our WIKI contributors. Paul you are right about rockhounds and the weird meter. That's what makes us fun. I dislike being with people who are always discontented about nearly everything. If the sun shines it’s too hot. If it rains the day is a wash out. If they go out to eat food is ALWAYS bad and they ruin it for everybody by gripping about it. If you spring for a movie they didn't like it. You go on an outing (the bugs, the dirt, the snakes, the weeds) it’s all bad. You hand them something of beauty and they say, "What do you want that old rock for?" You buy them a gift - it not the right color. They are the skeletons at the feast. God deliver us from them!! Not so with hounds. They get excited digging in the dirt. It could be raining, they could be covered in mud but they are having fun. They open a cold can of beans and franks. Sit down on a rock and feel the warmth of a summer day out in the mountains of Washington, or Arkansas or anywhere else and they are in heaven. You give them a nice agate and they can't believe you were so thoughtful. "I can't believe you would give me a gravel pit agate." is the reaction. They take their children out with them or grandchildren and they get as excited as the kids. The best times happen when they least expect them.They stop for a RC Cola and a Moon Pie at a country store and take time to talk to the old timer who owns the store. Before you know it the family is at his farm pulling treasures from the earth. When their children are grown they talk about the great camping trips with mom and dad and want the same for their children. I crawled through caves, canoed class 3 rivers, rafted on class 4, hiked for hours in the mountains, dived in the Caribbean and snow skied in Colorado with my wife and kids. But we have just as much fun working a road cut on HWY 72 or walking the beach at sunset looking for agates. It doesn't take much to make a hound happy. I am the luckiest, happiest guy in the world. Simply put; they love life. They love people who love life. And they are weird fun folks! Bill |
 Your "Reader's Digest" Version of Basic Mineralogy |
| What is the difference between a rock and a mineral? Don't you wish someone had asked that question in school? * Pronunciation guides taken from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ |
| Minerals \'min-rəlz, 'mi-nə-\ * |  | The Smithsonian Handbook of Rocks and Minerals defines a mineral as a solid inorganic element or compound. They are normally crystalline and are formed in geological processes. Every quartz crystal, whether found in sandstone or within a piece of granite, has the same physical and chemical properties. |
| Rocks \'räks\ * Dummy note: I want to thank the person who added the pronunciation guide. I was having trouble with the "rocks" word. |  | Rocks are the materials that make up the structure of the planet. Rather than a single uniform mineral, rocks are a mixture a various minerals. The granite boulders shown on the left are an aggregate of quartz, feldspar, mica and smaller amounts of other minerals. These boulders are an example of 'spheroidal weathering,' which happens in dry climates when repeated moistening of the surface alters the feldspars to clay, causing thin flakes of granite to peel off, rounding the boulders. Gem minerals found areas that show this type of weathering are: smoky quartz, topaz, garnets. These occur in pegmatites, veins of coarsely crystalline rock that form within granitic melts. |
| Types of Rocks | Add Pictures Here | Dummy Geology 101 |
| Igneous \'ig-nē-əs\ * WARNING ! Dummy Tip: Don't venture into a volcanic caldera while it is erupting. |  Mount St. Helens blows her top | Igneous rocks form from magma (molten rock). They are further divided into two types: extrusive igneous (the kind shown in the photo, also known as lava, hot stuff!) and intrusive igneous (the magma crystallizes below the surface; commonly called granite). All igneous rocks are classified by their chemical composition (and occasionally texture), hence there are lots of different technical names. Some extrusive examples: basalt, andesite, pumice. Some intrusive examples: granodiorite, gabbro, syenite. Many gems are associated with a particular rock type, so learning some of this is worthwhile. |
| Sedimentary \'se-də-'men-tə-rē, -'men-trē\ * Dummy Tip: If fossils are your thing here is where to spend your time looking.  | Sandstone Arch -Zion Park | As rocks are exposed on the Earth's surface to the action of the sun, wind, rain, frost and air, they slowly erode into soils. Once-mighty mountain ranges are attacked and carved away. Streams carry massive amounts of sediments down toward the seas. As the sands, clays and gravels settle, horizontal layering occurs (a process called stratification). Layer upon layer of sediments are stacked upon each other. Pressure and heat builds up as the materials are compressed and fused back into rocks. The sands form sandstone and the clays and silt form shales. Limestone forms in the oceans from calcium carbonate supplied by the shells, corals and fossils of long-perished creatures. The absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by sea water coverts the green house gas to calcium carbonate which binds the limestone together. The Colorado River has unveiled the ages of layers in the magnificent Grand Canyon. |
| Metamorphic \'me-tə-'mȯr-fik\ * Dummy Note: Gneiss is pronounced "nice." Isn't that nice?  | Marble Mountain Quarry  | The word "metamorphic" means to change form. Deeply buried sediments can be exposed to the high temperatures and pressures that igneous rocks experience. Molten magma can force its way into sedimentary deposits, heating the intruded rocks. The heat and pressure change the shale to slate and schist. The limestone is recreated to marble. The sandstone is fused into quartzite. Other examples of metamorphic rock include gneiss, hornfels and phyllite. |
| Leaverite \'lēv-ər-īt\ * WARNING ! Dummy Tip: Many rockhounds homes are completely buried by leaverite. It is one of the dangers of the obsession. | Typical Ugly Worthless Rock  | A rock that a rockhound should not have bothered to carry home. He should Leave-er-rite thar. Many rockhounds believe that there is no such thing as an ugly rock. Like people, despite how they look, they all have stories to tell. |
| Junkite | Typical Junkite Pile | Junkite is leaverite that is brought home. It is a point of art when leaverite becomes junkite. There are many oppertunities to leave it right where you found it, or right where your back went out, or right by the side of the road. Even right in your nieghbor's driveway. But once you leave it right in your yard, garage, or where ever you can see or trip over it, it's junkite. |
Stilbite Properties of Minerals Good Mineral Guides. 1. Smithsonian Handbooks - Rocks and Minerals, by Chris Pellant 2. Peterson Field Guides- Rocks and Minerals, by Frederick H. Pough 3. Rocks and Minerals, by Rich M. Pearl 4. National Audubon Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals (It comes with a vinyl cover so that it can be carried into the field without damaging the book.) If there are English teachers out there reading this, please e-mail me about the grammar. I have a mining enginear decree and I need you help. When I went too Enginearing Schol I coud not even spel Enginear and now I are one. |
| Color Dummy Tip: A big box of crayons (64 to the box) is a good way to learn about colors if you did not learn colors in kindergarten. |  | Although color is an important clue in identifying a mineral, it cannot be totally relied upon. For instance, quartz comes in a variety of colors. Clear rock crystal, purple amethyst, yellow citrine, pink rose quartz, and green chrysoprase are all varieties of quartz. |
| Luster \'ləs-tər\ * |  | Luster describes the way light plays off the surface of a mineral. Typical terms used to describe luster are dull, metallic, greasy, silky, vitreous and pearly. The crystals of hematite in the picture show a distinct metallic luster. |
| Hardness Dummy Tip: Diamonds are hard, but please don't hit one with a sledgehammer. You will blow your mom's diamond to smithereens. |  | This is a no-brainer. Hardness is how hard a substance is compared to other substances. A German mineralogist, Friedrich Mohs, established a scale to compare hardness. He named it Mohs' Scale, as if you couldn't figure that out. Mohs' Scale of Hardness 1 -Talc ________ 6 - Feldspar 2 - Gypsum _____ 7 - Quartz 3 - Calcite ______ 8 - Topaz 4 - Fluorite ______9 - Corundum 5 - Apatite ______10 - Diamond Diamond is the hardest natural mineral. Therefore, nothing but a diamond can scratch a diamond. Hardness can be determined with a scratch test. Take a material with a known hardness and try to scratch the unknown material with it. With a few such tests, an approximation can be made. Here are some common items that can be used as test standards: Fingernail (2.4), penny (3), steel nail (4), glass (5.5), steel file (6.5), quartz crystal (7), silicone carbide sandpaper (8), corundum (9). |
| Streak \'strēk\ * Dummy Tip: Streak is not the same time as running naked at a Football game. |  Pyrite streak test  Aventurine (quartz) streak test | A typical test for streak is to rub a piece of the specimen across a plate of unfinished porcelain called a "streak plate." Streak is a more reliable indicator of a mineral than color because it is consistent. Some minerals take on a variety of colors depending upon the impurities they contain. For example, pure calcite, quartz and fluorite are colorless, but iron, zinc and other impurities can color them blue, green, pink, purple and yellow. The streak test tells the rockhound the true color of the mineral because it lessens or eliminates the coloring effects of the impurities. Quartz will always leave a white or colorless streak, if it leaves any at all; a mineral's Mohs hardness (see Hardness, above) must be lower than the hardness of the streak plate in order for it to leave a streak. |
| Specific Gravity \spi-'si-fik 'gra-və-tē\ Pop Test: Will a material with a Specific Gravity less than one float or sink? Post answers on the "Discussion Forum." Right answers are eligible for the grand prize. You've got a 50/50 chance of winning. Only one entry per household. |  | The Greek mathematician Archimedes was asked to determine whether the royal goldsmith had been thinning down the gold in the royal crowns with silver and pocketing the extra gold. The guy was a crook and Archimedes knew it, but he could not prove it because the crown was so intricate that its density could not be determined by just weighing it. One day, while he was taking a bath, he realized the water displaced from the bath was the same in volume as his body. Archimedes jumped out of the tub and ran buck naked through Syracuse (Italy, not New York) shouting Eureka! which means "I have found it." Archimedes was also the inventor of streaking. Who says science isn't fun? Now we have Specific Gravity. It is the weight of a material divided by the weight of a equal volume of water. Don't get scared away by the math. An unknown yellow metal you found has a specific gravity of 19.3, which means that the material is 19.3 times as heavy as the same volume of water. Knowing that, you've probably found yourself a hunk of gold. |
| Cleavage \'klē-vij\ * Dummy Note: Its not what you are thinking. |  | Cleavage is the way minerals break along well-defined planes. Calcite is a classic example. Calcite spars cleave in a perfect rhomb, a sort of lopsided rectangle (see picture to the left). Terms that describe cleavage are: perfect, distinct, indistinct and none. A mineral with none is sort of like a blob. |
| Fracture \'frak-chər, -shər\ * |  | Fracture is a more general term than cleavage. It is what occurs when a rockhound misses his finger and hits the rock instead. Most minerals have both cleavage and fracture, but some minerals only fracture. Terms used to describe fracture are: hacky (jagged), conchoidal and splintery. The picture to the left is of obsidian, which has a conchoidal (dish shaped) fracture. Native American tools made from flint also demonstrate the conchoidal fracture. |
| Transparency & Translucency \tran(t)s-'per-ən(t)-sē\ * \tranz-'lü-sən(t)-sē\ * |  | Transparency is the property of a mineral which allows light to pass through it. Minerals that are transparent are clear. Translucency allows light to pass through the mineral diffusely. Therefore, you can not be seen through the mineral. |
| Fluorescence & Phosphorescence \flȯ-'res-sən(t)s\ * \'fäs-fər-'re-sən(t)s\ * Dummy Note: Do you want to see something scary? This scared the ---- out of me. The quantum yield of fluorescence is the rates excited states decay:  I live in Arkansas and I am not sure what would happen if my state got excited. |  | Fluorescence is the phenomena of a material absorbing energy in one range of the spectrum and emitting it in a range of the spectrum with a longer wavelength. A common example is exposing a rather dull mineral to ultraviolet light and seeing the common mineral transform into a glowing display of colors (see photo). Phosphorescence is a time-delayed phenomena in which energy absorbed by a material is released relatively slowly in the form of light. For example, after the source of UV light is removed, the specimen continues to glow for a time. |
| Asterism \'as-tə-'ri-zəm\ * Pop Test: Count the rays in the star ruby. Post answers on the "Discussion Forum." Big Word Difinition: Catty Wampus means 'askew or crooked' Southern U.S.; variant spellings catawampous Greek root kata Scots verb wampish 'to twist or wriggle' |  | Asterism is a six-pointed star that some minerals exhibit when a point source of light can be seen through a polished stone or when the mineral is polished into a spherical shape and a light source is shined on the surface. Microscopic inclusions that are arranged parallel to the crystal direction result in asterism. Rose quartz, star ruby, star sapphire, and star garnet are well known examples of the phenomena. The lapidary artist will polish part of the stone to find the center of the star. The jeweler will place the star at the pinnacle of the stone and finish the piece. That way the star is not catty wampus. |
| Pleochroism \plē-'ä-krə-'wi-zəm\ * Dummy Note: I admit I can't pronounce it either. |  Alexandrite | Pleochroism is the unusual property of a mineral that appears to have different colors when viewed from different angles. Some minerals appear to be two colors and others appear to be three colors. One of my personal favorite gems is Alexandrite which displays emerald green, red and orange. |
| Pyroelectricity \'pī-'rō-ə-'lek-'tri-sə-tē, -'tris-tē\ * Dummy Note: (Come on) shocked by a quartz crystal.Give me a break |  | Some minerals when heated or cooled will generate an electrical potential. Quartz and tourmaline were the first minerals that this phenomena was observed. (OK, Dummy Note guy.) Nobody said anything about being shocked. |
| Warning: The following section on crystal systems contains Geek Stuff and can be skipped. Note: I flunked the course myself. |
 Crystal Classifications  |
| Cubic- Isometric \'kyü-bik\ * Dummy Note: It's just a box. Let's get real. Dummy Note: Hexahedron is the showoff's way of saying a six-sided figure; like a box. You know the type. |   Hexahedron | Let's keep this stuff simple. We will leave the axis of symmetry and atomic structure to master level courses in Crystallography. Here we go. Minerals form ordered structures that are referred to as crystal systems. The crystal structure will be one of six systems defined by the lengths of and angles of imaginary internal lines. A simple example is the cube (a three-dimensional square). Pyrite (shown in the picture) forms cube-shaped crystals. A cube has right angles and equal lengths of the internal lines from the center to the face. I'd better show a photo. (see picture on the left) |
| Tetragonal \te-'tra-gə-nəl\ * |  | What would happen if the cube was stretched vertically? The system of crystals that follow the shape created are the tetragonal minerals. This system has the least number of minerals belonging to it. Examples of tetragonal minerals are: rutile, cassiterite, wulfenite and chalcopyrite. |
| Hexagonal \hek-'sa-gə-nəl\ * | Emerald Crystal   | A picture is worth a thousand words. The hexagonal crystal is created with 3 horizontal axes intersected by one vertical axis at a right angle. This system of crystal structure can generate a complex variety of crystals. One subdivision is sometimes placed in a separate system, the trigonal. Examples of hexagonal minerals are: vanadinite, nepheline, benitoite, calcite, and dolomite. The crystals look just like the diagram. Cool, I didn't know it would really work like that. It doesn't get any better than finding a crystal like the one shown. I could retire and go on an extended rockhound trip. Do you want to read about a young man who did find crystals like those beauties? Click on the following link: http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA200064.html |
| Orthorhombic \'ȯr-thə-'räm-bik\ * | Topaz Crystal   | The orthorhombic system of crystals is similar to the tetragonal system in that there are three axes that are perpendicular to each other; however, the three axes are all unequal in length. Examples of orthohombic minerals are: topaz, sulfur and staurolite. |
| Monoclinic \'mä-nə-'kli-nik\ * |  | There are no more combinations of three axes at right angles, so the only thing left is to squash the box. One axis is inclined to the plane of the other two. Gypsum, spodumene, epidote all form crystals in the monoclinic system. |
| Triclinic \(')trī-'kli-nik\ * Dummy Note: Plagio what? It looks more like a pretty rock to me. | Plagioclase fieldspar  Weird Baby  | Last but not least is all axes inclined at any angle but a right angle. (Weird.) Needless to say, the triclinic is the most complex system to work out mathematically, which means it will take a lot more brain power than I have.Typical triclinic minerals are axinite, pyroxenes, and plagioclase feldspars. I bet you would like to see one of those weird babies. |
| Native Elements |
| Gold Don't you wish you could find a ton of it? Dummy Tip: Gold is definitely not leaverite. If you find a pile of it, be sure to take it home. |  | Gold is often found in quartz veins and in stream sediments. Gold forms a number of growth structures, including leaves, feathers, wires and plates, but the most common crystal shape is octahedral. Its color is golden with a metallic luster. Its specific gravity is 19.3 and its Mohs hardness is 2.5 to 3. Nuggets and fine particles of gold settle into stream beds. Prospectors will pan or use dredges to recover the placer gold. It has been said that only 15% to 20% of all gold has been found to date. That leaves a lot to be found! |
| Copper \'kä-pər\ * | Native Copper from Michigan  | The Egyptians as early as 3900 BC developed a method of making bronze which is a mixture of tin and copper. The Bronze age began with this discovery and a great step forward was made in civilization. Copper is abundant with as much as 1.6 billion tons available for mining near the earth's surface. Copper is a good conductor of electricity and has helped make electrical power a necessity of modern society. The majority of copper produced in the United States is in three western states: Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. Properties: Crystal System: Isometric Hardness: 2.5 - 3 Color: Copper red, brown Luster: Metallic Streak: Rose Specific gravity: 8.94 Fracture: Jagged |
| Sulfur \'səl-fər\ * Dummy note: It is starting to come together. |  | Sulfur is a has a bright yellow to brownish yellow color with a white streak. The crystals form as bi-pyramids or tubular shapes. It is transparent to translucent. The luster is greasy or resinous and the specific gravity is 2.0. Remember all those properties. What did I tell you? List the properties; check the Mineral Guide; and (voila!) identify the mineral. |
| Silver \'sil-vər\ * | Silver Nugget  | Silver is a versatile metal. It has long been used as a precious metal in jewelry, coins, utensils and other valuable objects. Silver is used in photography emulsions and in electrical contacts. Properties: Crystal system: Isometric Color: Silver white, gray Luster: Metallic Specific Gravity: 10.5 Hardness: 2.5-3 Streak: silver white Specific gravity: 18 |
| Platinum \'plat-nəm, 'pla-tə-nəm\ * | Platinum nuggets  | Platinum is a precious metal valued at twice the price of gold. It is associated with some copper or nickle ores and as native deposits. In addition to its well known usage in fine jewelry, Platinum is one of the very best catalysis. A catalysis influences the way a chemical reaction occurs. For example a car catalytic converter changes much of the harmful pollutants to less harmful emission with platinum as a key ingredient. Properties: Color: Steel Grey Luster: Metallic Crystal System: Isometric Hardness: 4 to 4.5 Streak: Grayish White Spectfic Gravity: 21.4 |
| Diamond \'dī-(ə-)mənd\ * Dummy Tip: In the rough diamonds feel slick and greasy . |  | Diamond is a crystal of the element, carbon. Carbon has the property of bonding with other carbon atoms. Therefore, carbon forms a large family of compounds from the simple (carbon dioxide) to the extremely complex molecule of life ; DNA. Diamond is carbon bonded in a matrix with other carbon atoms and it creates a very hard, tough crystal. Diamond is the hardest mineral with a 10 on the Mohs scale. It occurs as crystals in the cubic and tetrahedron structure often with curved surfaces. Diamonds are formed in igneous kimberlite intrusive pipes. The largest diamond deposits in the world are in south Africa, Russia, Canada. and Brazil. Diamonds are found in most states but in rare occurrences. Wyoming, Colorado and Arkansas have significant deposits of diamonds. Arkansas has the" Crater of Diamonds State Park" where a visitor can keep what they find from an actual diamond pipe. |
| Nickel - Iron \'ni-kəl\ \'ī(-ə)rn\ * Dummy Tip: Nickel-iron is one class of meteorites. If you see one coming, be sure to duck. |  Nickel-Iron is most commonly from exterterrestial origin. Metiorites have struck the earth since the birth of the planet. Meteorites have traditionally been divided into three broad categories: stony meteorites are rocks, mainly composed of silicate minerals;iron metiorites largely composed of metallic iron-nickel; and, stony-iron meteorites contain large amounts of both metallic and rocky material | |
| Mercury \'mər-kyə-rē, -k(ə-)rē\ * |  | Mercury is a metal that occurs as a liquid at normal temperatures and will form beads. Mercury is found around volcanic vents. If you visit the Arkansas diamond mines, mercury mines are located just north of the igneous diamond craters. Elemental mercury is toxic, primarily if you inhale its vapors. Chronic exposure to the vapors cause impairment of the nervous system. The phrase "mad as a hatter" originated because of the effects observed in hat-manufacturing workers. Mercury was used in the process and was banned in 1940s. The Mad Hatter hosted the tea party in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Properties: Color: Silver white Specific Gravity: 13.6 Luster: Metallic |
| Arsenic \'ärs-nik, 'är-sə-\ * Dummy Tip: Looks likes leaverite to me. |  | Arsenic has a reputation as a poison. It well desires that label in various hazardous compounds of arsenic. However, arsenic compounds have long been used in medical treatment. Other uses include agriculture pesticides and alloy with other metals. Significant quantities of arsenic are associated with the copper-gold deposits in Chile, the Philippines, and many other countries. Properties: Color: Grey or white Cleavage: Perfect Specific Gravity: 5.7 Hardness: 3.5 Luster: Metallic Streak: Black |
| Antimony \'an-tə-'mō-nē\ * | ||
| Bismuth \'biz-məth\ * Dummy Note: Bismuth subsalicylate is used to treat diarrhea, heartburn, and upset stomach. It's the pink stuff that doctor mom used. | Bismuth Crystal - Way Cool  | Bismuth is usually recovered as a secondary product from the mining of silver, copper, gold, tin or other minerals. It is used in cosmetics, medicines and as an alloy with other metals. Bismuth has a silvery white color, and a metallic luster.The cleavage is perfect in one direction. Bismuth is a soft mineral with a hardness of 2-2.5. Laboratory bismuth crystals have become popular with collectors because of the complex trigonal crystal system. |
| Graphite \'gra-'fīt\ * Dummy Note: This is your typical Leaverite--unless you want to make pencils. |  | Graphite, like diamond, is a crystalline form of carbon. Powdered graphite is an excellent lubricant primarily because of the air entrapped between the particles. It is used in brake linings, refractories and pencils. Pencils are not made from the element lead, but from graphite, Properties: Color: Dark gray, black Luster: Sub metallic Cleavage: Perfect Hardness: 1.5 - 2 Streak: Black Specific gravity: 2.2 |
| * Pronunciation guides taken from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ | ||
 Now is the time to venture out to Barnes & Nobles or Amazon.com to buy yourself a brand spanking new mineral guide. There are thousands of different minerals in the world. Too many to covered in this page unless you are willing to chip in and I will quit my job and write a complete guide on the web. It is true that there are some very common minerals and there are a limited number of families of minerals. If the WIKI folks desire we will endeavor to describe these families and common members of the family. The guide you buy will use the definitions we have shared. So by the powers vested in me , I now pronounce you a partially educated novice. |
 Safety tips for Dummies - |
| | There is no joking about safety. It is the number one priority for every person who is involved with rockhounding. Please note that these tips aren't meant to frighten you, only raise your awareness to possible dangers you may not otherwise think about. |
| 1 | Don't undercut any type of embankment. If it collapses it could injure you or worse yet kill you. |
| 2 | Save your back and lift with your legs, use a leverage bar when needed, and don't try carrying more than you can handle. Your rockin' buddy may not want to carry your ars back to the rig. |
| 3 | Wear your safety glasses when pounding on rocks. Everyone know's what it's like to get an eyelash in your eye...I promise a flying chunk of rock isn't going to feel any better. |
| 4 | Wear gloves. They'll protect you from sharp shards, which can really do a number on your hands, and can reduce the chance of getting blisters. I personally like the rubber dipped kind 'cause they fit small hands better and you can still get a good grip. |
| 5 | Bring and drink plenty of fluids. I'm personally not interested in finding your petrified humanite self. You can even get drinking water in easy to carry gallon jugs at your local grocery store. Extra water gives you the option to rinse at the end of the day. |
| 6 | Wear your sunscreen and don't forget your ears. |
| 7 | Use your bugspray. Let West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease, and all those other nasty things be another type of leaverite. Not only are there mosquitos and ticks, but also various other nasty creatures that could make your day a miserable one. |
| 8 | When picking through rock piles or just plain digging, be sure to watch out for spiders and scorpions. Depending on your location, some of these critters can be very venomous. They can make you quite ill or even be fatal, especially if you are in a very remote location and cannot get to medical help in a hurry. |
| 9 | Let someone know where you're going and when you should be back. You know ... just in case. |
| 10 | Respect the Rattlesnake. Keep your ears and eyes open. If you hear them, give them a wide berth. Let them know you're coming and they'll let you know they're there. Try tapping on rocks with your shovel or pick. In vegetated areas, try swinging a long stick or your shovel in front of you. During the heat of the day, they like to keep to shady areas created by larger sized rocks and bushes. They are nocturnal hunters; they come out at night so don't drop your guard. Wear lace-up boots and jeans. Keep your tent zipped. Don't try to catch them, that's how dummies get bit. Always take a look around before you cop a squat. If walking through tall sagebrush or other brush, be sure to look high, as well. I have seen rattlers 4 feet to 5 feet up in Sage, presumably hunting birds. Getting bit in the chest, face, or upper arms could be very nasty or fatal. They can swim, so it probably wouldn't be a good idea to let them board your boat while heading to that secret place no one else knows about. Just a side note, they do taste like chicken. |
| 11 | Keep a 1st Aid Kit on hand. The more complete the better. Be sure it contains Benadryl for someone who may be allergic to bee stings or other bug bites. |
| 12 | Know what your local poisonous plants look like and how to treat (and not treat) the exposed area. This is another look before you squat. |
| 13 | Do NOT throw rocks at bee, hornet, or wasp nests. I'll refrain from naming names on this one. Be aware some species of wasps or yellow jackets are ground dwellers. If you see yellow jackets, just watch where they go. You do not want to be digging and pick up a rock just to find 100's or 1000's of very mad yellow jackets. |
| 14 | Deer and other creatures can jump out and surprise you at any time of the day...even at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. |
| 15 | Wear a hardhat when working around overhangs, cliffs, etc. Gravity happens when we least expect it. If you are working on a ledge or cliff side, be aware of what is below you. They might not have a hardhat on. |
| 16 | Do not lick or put any rock into your mouth. Various nasty bacterias and viruses may be present. Such as Hantavirus which is spread by mice feces. There are other nasty molds that cause health problems. The best thing is to bring a water bottle or spray bottle just for cleaning off specimens you have just found. Please refer to the following thread for more information. Never, ever lick rocks!!! I'll tell you why. |
aubreyreynolds9@gmai |
Latest page update: made by aubreyreynolds9@gmai
, Sep 5 2009, 2:15 PM EDT
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Keyword tags:
Rocks Minerals and Gemstones
More Info: links to this page
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| gamaliel114 | Useful Common Items for Rock Hounds (page: 1 2 3 4 5 ... last page) | 101 | Oct 28 2009, 11:48 AM EDT by pvjjh | ||
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Thread started: Sep 18 2009, 12:13 AM EDT
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HERE IS THE THREAD JAKESROCKS HAS STARTED:
Yesterday, 12:45 PM EDT | Post edited: Yesterday, 12:45 PM EDT So much useful stuff gets thrown away, that I decided to start this thread. I hope others will join in with their ideas. When you go to the pizza places to buy pizza to bring home, They often come with a plastic triangle in the middle with 3 legs attached. These make excellent stands for geodes, spheres and mineral specimens. The legs can be easily cut to the length needed to properly display your specimen, so don't throw them in the trash. Yesterday, 4:41 PM EDT | Post edited: Yesterday, 4:41 PM EDT Another common household item that can be put to use are those wire drapery hooks. With a little bit of bending, they can be turned into slab display stands at about 1/3 the cost of the plastic slab stands. Just be sure to cut or grind the sharp pointed end off, so you don't stab yourself. Any other ideas for useful common items ? Don
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equipment
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| washatonian | What's A Rockhound? (page: 1 2 3) | 47 | Aug 4 2008, 3:48 PM EDT by rgeditor | ||
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Thread started: Jun 13 2008, 5:35 PM EDT
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Rockhounding
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Rockhounding is the recreational collecting of rocks and/or mineral specimens from their natural environment. Early rockhounds were prospectors looking for valuable minerals and gemstones for commercial purposes. Eventually, however, more and more people have been drawn to rockhounding for recreational purposes, mainly for the beauty that rocks and minerals provide. The rockhound's principle piece of equipment is the rock hammer. This small tool has a pick-like point on one end, and a flat hammer on the other. It should be noted, however, that the hammer end is for breaking rocks, and the pick end is mainly used for prying and digging into crevasses. The pick end of most rock hammers can dull quickly if struck onto bare rock. Getting started in rockhounding is easy; a collection can begin with a single "pretty" rock. However, there are many clubs and groups that rockhound together. Libraries, bookstores, and "gem and mineral shows" are very good sources of published information on where to find such groups. Also, tourist info centers and small-town chambers of commerce can also supply valuable local information. The Internet can also be a useful tool and can help find buddies in the hobby. The avid collector will learn quite a bit of petrology,mineralogy and geology in search of collecting location information as well as in the identification and classifying of specimens, and preparation for display. The hobby can lead naturally into lapidary or mineral and gemstone cutting and mounting. The needed equipment then includes rock saws and polishers. Many beautiful crystal varieties are typically found in very small samples which requires a good microscope for working with and photographing the specimen. The hobby can be as simple as finding pretty rocks for a windowsill or develop into a detailed and comprehensive museum quality display.
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| stellarjay | The Danger Zone: When did you turn back? (page: 1 2) | 28 | Sep 5 2009, 11:03 PM EDT by retiredoldfogee | ||
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Thread started: Aug 30 2009, 8:34 PM EDT
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Glad to back on site after a long time out in the field. Had an experience a few weeks ago that shook me up- and I'm curious if you all have had similar adventures where the getting was good but the odds too high. So...you turned back. My partner and I were in a rock slide chute. We'd been there before, the minerals were good but the story was that they were better father up. We knew there was some real danger- we had helmets on and we'd posted a falling rock sign below. But you know...the thrill and the charge of finding bigger and better pieces overroad the first warning sign- I stepped in a muddy area and started a water mudslide- and had me to the second warning sign- 15 feet up a rock face and suddenly there wasn't a foothold- before we got the picture. My partner is great- he saved me from crashing and burning. But we looked at each other and said- okay- what are we doing up here? We are way too old, have too much to lose and we need to realize this place is too dangerous. So we agreed that we were done with site, and we aren't going back. How about you all? What was your threshold big or small? Look forward to meeting you out there- happy hounding. Stellar Jay
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| retiredoldfogee | A valid scratch test? | 10 | Aug 28 2009, 1:40 AM EDT by retiredoldfogee | ||
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Thread started: Aug 25 2009, 11:24 PM EDT
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Hello all,
I was attempting to perform a scratch test using a stainless steel butter knife. I attempted to scratch something I suspected may be jade. It scratched. I then scratched something I was almost certain was Jade, and it also scratched. Lastly, I attempted to scratch a large quartz crystal and it also scratched but not as much. It seemed more resistant. but it did dig in lines, and it did chip off a corner as well in multiple locations where it was hard. I performed this test by applying pressure and then digging in while pushing. Is this a valid way to do a hardness test? Can somebody give me a better idea on how to do this test? Thanks, Aaron |
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| PebblesMonaVie | Rockhounding for Dummies | 12 | Jul 12 2009, 10:54 PM EDT by FireRain | ||
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Thread started: Jul 10 2009, 4:06 AM EDT
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I just wanted to say Thank you for those of you that contributed to the "Rockhounding for Dummies"
I stumbled upon it while looking for things related to Wyoming, and I loved it! You guys obviously put a lot of work into that, and it's informative and helpful, yet funny. :) Just had to say thanks! You work is well appreciated.
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Rockhounding for Dummies
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