Minerals with Willsey: Mineral Properties

Come into geology professor Shawn Willsey’s classroom for a brief lesson on the basic physical properties used to identify minerals. We will follow this lesson with more videos focused on common minerals to prepare for another series on rock identification.

Support geology education via:
or Venmo: @shawn-willsey

or click on the three dots below the viewer then "Thanks"

or a good ol' fashioned check to:
Shawn Willsey
148 Blue Lakes Blvd N
#141
Twin Falls, ID 83301

[danielvr]

Good start. I like the approach of what will be important in viewing minerals in a rock and not on being a collector. The drop of food coloring in a bucket of water, I like that.

[TheKrisg]

This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. A practical approach to deciphering what I see out in the world. And, welcome home.

[leslyrae]

I'm so thrilled to have found this series. I'm a nature lover, hiker, kayaker, etc. Although I can name most plants, I'm lost when it comes to rocks & minerals. Excited to get through this over time. Thank you!

[quixote]

In spite of my name (Stone) geology has always made my head hurt. Finally, a tutorial in rocks & minerals 101. Wow! There is a method to this madness. Thanks for all the practical information.

[lisaloy]

The color in amethyst comes from color centers in the quartz. These are created when trace amounts of iron are irradiated. The color of amethyst is the result from substitution by irradiation of trivalent iron (Fe+3) for silicon in the structure, in the presence of trace elements of large ionic radius, and, to a certain extent, the amethyst color can naturally result from displacement of transition elements even if the iron concentration is low.
Best to lay it out as the Professor is doing in portraying minerals : in steps.

When analyzing how amethyst are formed, it is important to consider three important factors, or “ingredients in the recipe " of formation.
The first of these is a hollow rock. Amethyst needs a hollow space in which a crystal crater can form and grow.
Amethyst crystals are formed inside pyrogenic volcanic rocks referred to as basalts. These are the direct result of volcanic lava. These rocks then become the very vessels for creating the formation of amethyst by way of minerals and water combining over time.
Amethyst crystals form against the inside rocks of the basalt, from where it is then later extracted and mined.

The second ingredient in the formation process is the actual environment in which the amethyst is formed. In order for amethyst to form, both silica and ferric iron must be present in the water.
To this particular end, because of its rock-forming properties, silicon dioxide is a key ingredient in the formation of this beautiful purple crystal.

I haven't seen Siberian Amythest, but I've seen Brazilian Amythest. I've been to one location of where it's mined in both Brazil and Uraguay. My Uraguan material was really exceptional.

I've looked for other quartz crystal forms in Colorado, Arkansas and New York. Before the Shah was ousted, I was in N Iran with my grandfather and saw some of the most beautiful aquamarine removed from the earth. We bought some. To this day my most prized piece of jewelry is Persian Aqua and the famed blue Persian Turquoise with diamonds. That was before the Persian citizens of Iran lost their freedoms. They dressed like Americans, Europeans. I was in a short outfit since it was early summer.

[NeilWatson]

Shawn, thanks for your tutorials. I reside in the UK and get out into the hills, walking, scrambling and climbing. I sometimes wish I hade someone like you around to explain what I'm seeing. These tutorials are the next best thing.

[nigelcutler]

Good teacher, good communicator. You make a complex subject accessible and enjoyable. Please keep the videos coming.

[justinj]

I am so glad I found your videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and time with us all. I love learning about rocks as well as collecting and polishing them from everywhere.

[muzikhed]

Pleased to find today this very enjoyable first video in the classroom series. Thanks Shawn.

[stevengeorge]

Thank you, Shawn! All of your videos are highly informative and I look forward to your next episode. 😀

[marsharose]

Great for an enthusiastic amateur. Really appreciate your approach.

[NeilWatson]

You pointed out the Magnetite. The Cuillin on Skye are a bit of a problem when using a compass for navigation. It would appear the rock is iron rich. Have never seen what you demonstrated with the magnet. Impressive

[equanimityforever]

Liebe Grüße aus Bayern in Deutschland. Greetings from Bavaria, Germany. Love watching your tutorials from the other side of the Mid-Atlantic ridge that pulls us apart. 😢 But fortunately, ever so slowly. 😅

[DrGeorginaCook]

Glad I found this series, thanks for sharing all this. I could do with a crash course on the basics again. Off to find my mineral collection and go and play… 😊

[GregInEastTennessee]

Shawn, I had a little trouble finding this one. Might I make a suggestion? When you're doing a series, number the episodes 01, 02, etc. That way I'm sure I'm starting at the initial one. Just some food for thought. Otherwise, great! :)

[timpate]

Great video. Thank you for teaching this. You probably plan to cover this, but I'm very interested in how to identify specific minerals in rocks such as granitic rocks, schists, etc. Thanks again!

[justme]

I've learned more in your videos than I did a semester of geology at my uni.

[NoOne-ytyf]

Makes me want to go back to school. Thank you for your effort.

[BonesFPV]

I'm smashing through your stuff. Thanks for making such an interesting subject so readily available.

[Rachel.]

Very helpful, and I'm glad it's recorded. Thanks, Shawn.