Every locale has specific stones and crystals. The Mineral Resources of the United States details gem materials in an annual report. Books abound for helping you to decipher quartz from mica. Taking the time to research and then walk through different locales will help you notice, determine and identify stones and crystals.
Crystals
A crystal formation happens when atoms or molecules come together in a definite and repeating pattern. This occurs from dissolved matter, gases or two or more solid crystals may reform into a new mineral. The shape of the crystal is reflected by its atomic structure, such as smooth, symmetrically arranged or flat.
There are six crystal shapes you can look for: isometric, hexagonal, monoclinic, tetragonal, triclinic and orthorhombic. Crystals can be found growing on rocks or hanging in caves.
Identifying rocks
Minerals build rocks, and rocks are a composite of minerals. Rocks are solid, and naturally occurring. Rock is composed and formed from eight minerals, olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, orthoclase, plagioclase, muscovite, biotite, and quartz. Petrology is the study of rocks.
There is a basic guideline for determining the difference between a gemstone and a rock, if it is rough and sandy it is probably a rock. It is metallic ore if it is capable of being shaped by bending or hammering. If there is a crystalline structure, it can be identified as a gemstone.
Rocks are classified as sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. Metamorphic rocks come from underground conditions causing the rocks to change. Metaphoric rocks are marble, slate, phyllite and gneiss. Igneous rocks come from molten lava from a volcano or magma. Examples of igneous rock are pumice, basalt, ryolite, obsidian. Sedimentary rocks tell us geology lessons, sandstone is from quartz and shale is compressed clay. Examples of sedimentary rock are sandstone, siltstone, and breccia. Rocks tell us the Earth's history.
Information
The Internet and your local library are in depth resources to teach you to determine and identify crystals and rocks. Check out your local Parks and Recreation Department to join in nature walks that teach rock and crystal identification. Join a rock club to share exploring and finding rocks.
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