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| Geologic Reference Library | ||
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Geologic Time Line Don't know the Paleozoic from the Permian? When did the dinosaurs roam? What was happening on the third rock 4500 million years ago? Find out here |
Crystal Systems How does this help an ordinary rockhound to identify minerals? Understanding mineral symmetry is very helpful in identifying crystals. |
Mineral Identification Rock and mineral collectors use several physical property tests to help identify an unknown mineral. Learn what they are and how to use them. |
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Glossary Alphabetical listings of rock, mineral, gem, and geologic terms with their definitions for anyone interested in rocks and lapidary. |
Hardness Scales Was Moh just one of the 3 Stooges? Learn about mineral hardness, how it is used by rock collectors, and other methods used to determine hardness. |
Mineral Library Probably the largest mineralogical reference. with over 9,600 different minerals, varieties and synonyms listed, along with their occurrences and locations. |
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Rocks in the News Wonder what current rock, lapidary, gem, and geology related stories are in the news? Learn what's up in the world of rocks, gems and rock related science fields. |
Periodic
Table An interactive periodic table with links to individual elements properties, history, uses, sources and other useful information. |
Moh Hardness Values Mineral hardness values. This table is sorted alphabetically by mineral names. Includes over 2,800 minerals by IMA name and common names. |
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Finding
Collection Sites Tips for researching and finding rock and mineral collection sites. Includes links to various online collecting resources. |
Common Conversions Common conversions found and used in lapidary and rock literature, gemology, geology, and in the related earth sciences. |
Diamond
Grits Guide A reference chart of common diamond grit size designations use in lapidary wheels, laps, disc, blades, and drills including particle sizes and per carat counts. |
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Fakes & Frauds This page is a list of scams, fakes, forgeries and misrepresentations that appear in the mineral collecting market. Learn what to look for and be an informed collector! |
Lapidary Forums List Chat with other lapidary, mineral, rock and geology enthusiasts! A list of rock related forums, bulletin boards, discussion groups and subscribe to mailing lists. |
Is That Diamond Real?
A simple test you can perform that will help you determine if it is a real diamond or a cubic zirconia. |
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Fee and Free Collecting Sites Free and fee mineral and fossil collecting sites in the US, Canada and on BLM Lands. Includes links for contact and additional details |
Rules for Collecting A collectors "Code of Ethics" to follow when collecting specimens on private or public lands. |
Cleaning Specimens Want to make your mineral specimens shine like the ones for sale or in museums? Learn how to clean geodes, quartz and other mineral specimens. |
| Return to Main Resource Index | ||
