How to Identify a Rock: What I REALLY Do

Ever wonder how to identify rocks and minerals? In this video, I show you my tips, tricks, and what I do to identify rocks. There are many different ways to do this from books, google, hardness tests, looking at luster, specific gravity, and how the rock fractures. I take a bit from each method when I identify my rocks and usually I get a pretty accurate result! Thanks for watching! :)

#agateariel #rockhound #thefinders

Happy Hounding! 🪨✨

[mikek]

As someone who is also in MN and just getting into tumbling and rockhounding late in life I wanted to thank you for your very informative videos regarding the subject they are very helpful.

[CurrentlyRockhounding]

This is good intro into the subject of rock and mineral identification. Many rocks are pretty easy to identify and I see the same things over and over being sent to my inbox but it can get very complex at times as well.

Identifying the traits is good but the key to identification is location location location. Everything is where it is for a reason, unless someone dropped it there. Understanding the geology of the area is an important aspect.

As for those mohs charts that show it compared to common item, I have tested many things against known samples and there really is a large amount of fluctuation in the hardness of knives and nails, they should really be used as a ball park hardness.

It was a little hard to see from your penny test but the penny needs to be a pre-1982 penny, after that they were no longer made from copper.

If everyone adopted this process and did some basic research on what they have everyone would be benefit.

Well done!

[JohnB-lepi]

Hi! Fellow Minnesotan here just getting into rock hounding. I had a rock tumbler as a child but I didn't go very far with it as it took so long to do the process LOL. I recently found that childhood rock tumbler and a sandwich bag full of partially tumbled rocks and it rekindled my interest in rocks! I live in south central MN and my town has the Minnesota River running through it. I haven't tried combing near the river yet, but what I have done is search around my workplace. You see, the landscaping around my workplace is some shrubs and trees that have had small size river rock placed around them. I search the grounds on my lunchbreak (and I'm sure I look silly while doing so!). I have found what I think are some very interesting finds. Most of it is various colors of granite and sandstone, but I have also found several quartz rocks, what I think is jasper, and maybe a piece of jet? I'm still learning the different mineral and rock types and your channel is helping me to try to identify what I've found. Thanks for your help and please keep making your informative videos! John

[gregoryboles]

With the cost of everything going up these days, it's nice to be reminded that there are beautiful and strange 'free' things right beneath our feet. Thanks for all the insights and information!

[dewaynemccamey]

Being so new to this. You really explain things very simply for a beginner. Your tips are awesome even though I live totally on the opposite side of the country. Your my go to if I got a question. 😊 Keep it up

[doc_sav]

One thing I like to do is to have a geologist or more experienced rockhound record several voice messages on my phone, saying "It's a piece of painted concrete", "That's a random glob of aggregate", "Looks like it is actually a piece of glass", and "That's definitely not a fossil. You can't even make out a distinct shape". I refer to these whenever I have checked all my resources and become convinced that I have found something extraordinary or valuable, just to temper my expectations or save a little time further on down the road.

[giblet]

Thank you very much. I've been rockhounding along the Delaware River across from Philly. I'm very new at this hobby. You helped me id a peice of banded hematite jasper I found. Love your videos and thanks again

[RicksPuzzlingAdventuresfro-hb]

I like how you do this! I will try it myself when out walking along the lake or Niagara River. Thank You!

[sandmaker]

Good tip for identifying the rock. Keep the fun coming!

[CityRockhounding]

Great video, very informative. Good tips! Great books. Thanks Ariel!

[jarlsoars]

I have the same book but it covers rocks and minerals of Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. It's an easy to follow guide.

[MNpicker]

I really need to do some book shopping soon😃

[billywhitehorn]

that looks like banded jasper to me... the 1st one you showed

[sheilanies]

I found a rock I think it could a fossil it is triangler in shape lighter gray mixed in with darker grey it is unique the top is smooth but sides look rough I found it in Minnesota Mississippi River. I can't find any pictures of it.

[rogerdudra]

Every time I go fishing I come home with a pocket full of rocks. (Montana)

[JhonDiamond]

how to identify the right stone, so that you get a good stone

[henokhenok]

hello Madam want to gold tester app tanks

[perspective]

That is what I like to call a "sex" rock. Just another F#$#ing rock. lol jk.