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Rocks & Minerals

by Mimzy

Blue Rocks

Rock hounds know the thrill of searching for different types of rocks and minerals. Here’s an opportunity for you to learn to identify rocks, what makes up a mineral, and tips for exploring the natural stone formations all around you.

Types of Rocks

  • Physical Characteristics of Rocks

    Rocks have separate characteristics among themselves, as rocks come in many different colors, textures and mineral compositions. Discover which rocks tend to be heavier Read More

  • Identifying Garnet Rocks

    Garnets are a specific type of mineral that is most commonly found in metamorphic rocks, and they come in different colors and sizes depending on their chemical Read More

  • Identifying Granite Rocks

    Granite is a type of igneous rock that is very abundant and found all over the world, and the three main minerals of granite are quartz, padgoclez and potassium feldspar. Read More

  • Identifying Translucent Rocks

    Translucent rocks are rocks that a person can see through, and they are typically made up of minerals or crystals that are translucent themselves. Find out why some Read More

  • What Makes Rocks Red?

    Rocks are red when they contain the mineral hematite, which is an iron oxide that is similar to rust. Find out how iron forms a reddish hue when oxidized with help from a Read More

  • Identifying Igneous Rocks

    Igneous rocks are one of the three main classifications of rocks, and they are formed both above and below ground. Learn about the intrusive and coarse-grained nature of Read More

  • Classifying Rocks

    There are three primary classifications of rocks, including sedimentary rocks, igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks. Discover how all three main types of rocks are formed Read More

  • How to Identify Metamorphic Rocks

    Rocks that undergo changes are metamorphic rocks. Igneous and sedimentary rocks eroded by wind, weather and water become metamorphic rocks. Metamorphic rocks are changed by Read More

  • How Are Rocks Made?

    Rocks are an aggregate of minerals that occurs naturally. The entire lithosphere, or "crust" of the Earth, is made of rock. There are three kinds of rocks: igneous, Read More

  • How to Identify Types of Rocks

    The key to identifying rocks is first to identify the minerals that compose them. Geologists and students should begin with the most obvious type of rock. Follow these Read More

Mineral Types

  • About Minerals

    Minerals are crystalline natural substances that formed as a result of geological actions. They have many uses in our everyday life, for example, nutritional supplements Read More

  • How Minerals Affect Our World

    Learn the importance of minerals in our everyday live-in this alternative healing free video. Read More

  • What Are Food Minerals?

    Part of the chemical fuel in food that helps keep our bodies healthy are called food minerals, even though you are not actually eating bits of rocks. You are eating just Read More

  • How is Asbestos Extracted?

    Asbestos is a fibrous mineral found in metamorphic rock, a rock composed of several minerals compressed by time and movement of the earth over millions of years. The most Read More

  • How to Identify Common Minerals

    The first principle for identifying common minerals is, "Rocks and minerals are not the same thing." Every rock contains two or more different minerals, and the various Read More

  • How to Read a Mineral Chart

    If you have a mineral collection, you will likely need to read the mineral chart as a part of your hobby. The mineral chart depicts specific characteristics for each type Read More

  • How to Identify Minerals

    There are many types of minerals, with several bearing a strikingly similar appearance to each other. Some minerals have a higher market value than others based on a Read More

  • What Mineral Is a Natural Magnet?

    Lodestone, a type of the mineral magnetite, is a natural magnet and attracts iron particles to itself. Magnetite is an iron oxide which is a common mineral, but the Read More

  • How to Select Natural Minerals

    Minerals are a vital part of healthy organ functioning and development. If you ingest the right natural minerals, you may help prevent a mineral deficiency which could lead Read More

  • How to Start a Mineral Collection

    Minerals are substances that occur in nature and are usually made of inorganic substances like quartz or feldspar. Rocks and minerals are thought to be interchangeable by Read More

Tips & Tools

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