Identifying Rocks: Video Series

Red Rocks was formed by the erosion of a mountain range that deposited sediments into the valleys, and these sediments were buried and compressed over time. Discover why Red Rocks is angled facing east with help from a lab manager and research scientist in this free video on rocks.

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 lab manager and research scientist in this free video on rocks.

Rocks are made in different ways, with sedimentary rocks being made from erosion and deposition of preexisting rocks, and metamorphic rocks being made when preexisting rocks melt and recrystallize. Find out how igneous rocks are made with help from a lab manager and research scientist in this free video on 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 with help from a lab manager and research scientist in this free video on identifying 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 composition. Discover how garnets are examples of a fairly hard mineral with help from a lab manager and research scientist in this free video on identifying rocks.

Gold is a very rare and precious metal that is soft, malleable and heavy, and it is often found with other minerals, such as quartz. Learn about the differences between gold and fool's gold with help from a lab manager and research scientist in this free video on identifying 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. Look for granite rocks to be light in color with help from a lab manager and research scientist in this free video on identifying 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 igneous rocks with help from a lab manager and research scientist in this free video on identifying rocks.

Metamorphic rocks are formed from the remelting and recrystallization of protolyth rocks, such as igneous and sedimentary rocks. Learn about the typical metamorphic characteristic of banding with help from a lab manager and research scientist in this free video on identifying rocks.

Sea rocks are typically formed in an ocean environment, and one of the most common types of sea rocks is limestone. Discover how to identify sea rocks, such as shale, with help from a lab manager and research scientist in this free video on identifying 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 semi-precious stones are translucent with help from a lab manager and research scientist in this free video on identifying rocks.

Valuable rocks can be found all over the world, and their value depends upon the scarcity of the rock. Learn about different valuable rocks, such as gold, silver or garnets with help from a lab manager and research scientist in this free video on identifying 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 than the others with help from a lab manager and research scientist in this free video on identifying rocks.