Rock And Gem Identification Guide

Marble is a crystalline rock composed predominantly of calcite dolomite or serpentine minerals.

Rock and gem identification guide.

Anyone interested in seeking out and identifying rough gemstones should start by buying an illustrated guide or looking up images online of rough gemstones. The colors of marble vary depending on the impurities within the marble. The highest grade calcite marble is pure white. Marble containing hematite is red.

This site has been providing detailed information and photos of hundreds of mineral and gemstone since 1997 and is one of the leading education resources on minerals and gemstones. Our mining rough contains gems and minerals that were mined in countries as far away as brazil peru mexico india and madagascar. Once you have identified the relative abundance of different minerals in your rock you can come see examples of common upstate rocks at the museum or you can refer to an online or other reference. Hematite is one of the most prevalent and useful forms of iron on our planet.

The chemical formula is fe 3 o 4. It is strongly magnetic. Magnetite is sometimes called lodestone. Printable tumbled stone identification chart.

Positive identification requires much more than looking at a photo. An interactive reference guide to rocks minerals and gemstones. Gemstones in the rough look more like rocks than the polished stones used in jewelry. It is a common iron ore and is often used in jewelry and other decorative items.

If your specimen is a rock you will need to identify the individual minerals that compose it by following the mineral identification guide below. Soft rock does not scratch steel but will scratch fingernails mohs scale of 3 to 5 5 while very soft rock won t even scratch fingernails mohs scale of 1 to 2. It was used by the ancient chinese to make the first magnetic compasses. Follow this handy guide to learn more about your gems rocks minerals our gemstones and minerals traveled across the world to become a part of your collection.

Interactive guide to hundreds of rocks and minerals. Rock identification guide complete with photos and information about each rock s distinguishing characteristics this rock identification guide has been designed to assist you in identifying the rocks provided in the deeper and deeper and mining matters ii kits. It has a hardness of 3 4. Impurities may cause the marbel to be green red blue yellow etc.