How to identify rocks

Every rockhound loves a good geode, and the best are those we’ve gathered ourselves. While it can be tempting to start busting every rock you find with a rock pick, you can usually tell before you attack. Geodes are a specific formation and can usually be identified by their round shape and bumpy texture. These reliable indicators don’t tell the whole story, however. So, let’s go a bit further and give you an overview of how to tell if a rock is a geode.

An experienced prospector knows that not all gold-bearing rocks are created equal. This guide covers identifying 6 rocks that can contain gold, like quartz, granite, slate, basalt, schist, and iron pyrite. Learn what clues to look for, like iron oxides and color. Whether you're a rockhound searching for golden treasures or just curious about geology, use this info on gold-containing rocks to find hidden riches!

There are apps out there for just about everything. But what about for rockhounding? Here is a list of what I've found to be the best apps for rock and mineral identification. These apps are great for geology students, enthusiasts and anyone else who loves collecting rocks and minerals and needs help identifying the specimens they find.

It is strongly recommended to the student of this book that he obtain specimens of rock, not labelled, and study their features with a view to naming them.

Learning the basics of mineral identification is easy. All you need are a few simple tools and your own powers of careful observation.

Assortment of heart shaped rocks

In this beginners guide to rock and mineral identification, you'll learn that there is no one-size meets all solution. But there are certain things you can do to help identify your rock.

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 ...

Don't think for a minute that rocks and minerals make for boring nature study. Learning to identify them can help your children see them for the spectacular specimens they are!

In search of a Rock and Mineral Identifier? I have you covered! These apps can help you figure out rocks and minerals this school year.