33. How to Identify Rocks

How can you tell what type of rock you have? Join us to learn how you can tell one type of rock from another.

Get the Rock Identification Flowchart from our Teachers Pay Teachers page:

The layered rock in the thumbnail image on the far left is called Vernon wonderstone. It comes from a quarry in Utah and is technically a "welded-vitric tuff," a type of volcanic rock. The colorful banding is caused by groundwater with iron oxides that altered the tuff. It's one of my favorite rocks and I meant to show it during our lesson but didn't end up having time to talk about it in the video lesson.

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[freebfree]

I'm a grandma (not a kid) - learning about rocks - and loving your channel. Thank you...

[kemjuracek]

64-years-old and still learning about rocks. This video is awesome.

[jerilynshirley]

Im a gramma that collects rocks and i am so glad i found your channel. Made my day!

[msinbalony]

You guys are awesome:) I didn't realize this was intended for kids till half way through:) I'm discovering the world of crystals lately, and wanted some sceintific context.. really enjoyed this. I love that Dad comes to class clueless and learns everything with us.. that's sweet:)

[ag]

I have been an avid rockhound since childhood. All things pertaining to geology and especially paleontology, fascinate me. When I was younger, fossils were my big passion, but now I am adding things like peacock copper, agates, quartz, desert rose, etc. to my collection. I think it is the combination of the aesthetic beauty and the scientific information that attracts me. My uncle was also a collector and did lapidary work, which I have never done as I am not good with my hands.

[elawz]

Searching for rocks just became a hobby for me and I'm glad I've bumped into your video because it's helping me a lot especially with the minerals

[crystalhuntbeebe]

Within the past few years I've become drawn to rocks and minerals I've found while out and about..
Just turned 44 yr old but still a kid at heart

[SnarkasticSunny]

Am not a kid either... 65 today. Have collected rocks for many years - I love pretty rocks. I want to get my own rock polisher soon. Friends have polished my rocks for me until now. Some of prettiest rocks I found walking on Oregon beaches.

[mariajoaocarvalhoareias]

Awesom video thank you 💯🙏I am a grandma 62 and a lover of rocks, all rocks, minerals and raw crystals.Collect some .Thank you so interesting and so informative. Bless You with Love and Light thank you .

[Grannathinks]

I'm a Granna at 70 years old I am finally learning more about rocks that I have collected for years.

[barbaraolson]

Love the beautiful way nature expresses! Crystals, minerals, rocks, all are beautiful and amazing. Thank you.

[kimberlyannfarish]

I love how enthusiastic you are when presenting. It makes me smile!

[rockysmith]

Outstanding teacher. Great team. His questions, provide a wonderful natural flowing sequence of questions that allow her to fill in the blanks in her highly expressive way. May your tribe increase!

[soyunkim]

I had an in-box thinking about Rock.
Education broadened my eyes on how to see the object in my life as a metaphor as someone described my life and experience.

[JudeNance]

I have been a rock hound since I was a child. Thank you 😊

[IdentityQuandry]

I'm a new rock collector. Your program is far and above all the others I've seen anywhere. Your information is presented in a lively, intelligent manner. I was riveted! So much valid information so very clearly explained! I thank you for sharing your knowledge in such an entertaining and educational way!

[flordelizaescano]

Accidentally stumbled on your channel. Tons of knowledge to digest. Thank you for sharing them. Cool show

[ErwinMaas]

I am just trying to get into identifying rocks and stones and have seen many videos about it, but just couldn't connect all kinds of dots. Your video made so many things very clear to me, I will need to save it and will surely watch it several more times in the future. Lots of thanks from a 62 year old Dutch guy retiring in Portugal!

[jannay]

I’m a grandma to crystal, rock, etc. loving granddaughter in the 4th grade. She gets her curiosity from me who lived most of my life in Colorado and am the daughter of a hard rock miner (molybdenum). The book, Colorado Roadside Geology “ was my bible for many years. I now live in Hawaii which is kind of limited for rock hounding. I have a large collection and have several rocks/minerals that I have never been able to make a ‘for certain’ identification.
I came upon your channel while searching for guidance to identify these specimens. I’m thrilled to be an adult subscriber! My granddaughter agrees that you and your husband are wonderful teachers who make learning fun! I’m certain the math videos will be another favorite.

[dorothycoleman]

i am a lover of rocks. all rocks. minerals. raw crystals, etc. i have trouble identifying them and always have. i have reseached, i have books.... You Science Momma are by far the BEST book i ever read!!! i am a grandmother and i will share this with my little ones while we sit and identify some of my huge collection some day. Thank you soooo very much for sharing this video with us kids :) :) :) i am a kid at heart and yet i am 52 :D RockLove 💙💙