Resources
A Kid’s Guide to Identifying Popular Gemstones Used in Jewelry
By: Dustin Lemick , October 18th, 2023
Here is a link to an article written by Dustin Lemick for Kid's.
Click here for the article and links to other articles for kids.
This wonderful article and the link was provided by Rachel Dropkin, who while researching how to use pieces from her rock collection and different minerals and gemstones in the process of jewelry making, came across these great articles and shared the link with us.
Thank you Rachel!!!.
Click here for the article and links to other articles for kids.
This wonderful article and the link was provided by Rachel Dropkin, who while researching how to use pieces from her rock collection and different minerals and gemstones in the process of jewelry making, came across these great articles and shared the link with us.
Thank you Rachel!!!.
Beyond 4Cs
The Real Insights to Buying Diamonds
Click this link for a great article on diamonds- how they are formed, both naturally and lab grown.
https://beyond4cs.com/how-are-diamonds-made-and-formed/
Click below for a free list of gemology resources & courses that Paul Gian has complied.
https://beyond4cs.com/free-gemology-courses-and-resources/
The Real Insights to Buying Diamonds
Click this link for a great article on diamonds- how they are formed, both naturally and lab grown.
https://beyond4cs.com/how-are-diamonds-made-and-formed/
Click below for a free list of gemology resources & courses that Paul Gian has complied.
https://beyond4cs.com/free-gemology-courses-and-resources/
Rock Hounding Locations Guide for CA, OR, WA, and ID
An excellent CD resource of rock, gem and mineral collecting sites in the Pacific Northwest. Obtain more information at:
http://orerockon.com/CD.htm
An excellent CD resource of rock, gem and mineral collecting sites in the Pacific Northwest. Obtain more information at:
http://orerockon.com/CD.htm
Test for Silver
There are many tests to check if something is real silver. This test was a new one I never heard of.
Did you know ... Silver is a fantastic thermal conductor--it transfers heat and cold very quickly, at a level that almost seems science fictional. This is a fun test to run (and it's really fun with kids watching), and it's best run with un-set silver pieces which have no gemstone or enameling.
All you need is 1) the item you're testing and 2) a flat piece of ice.
Small jewelry pieces can probably use an ice cube. For larger pendants and coins, you may need to freeze some water in a disposable cup or foil pan (so you have a nice flat surface).
Place the silver item on the ice, silver side down, and don't take your eyes off of it. The ice should start to melt immediately, as if it were on a hot stove, creating the shape of your item in the ice. The purer the silver, the quicker the melt. This is because silver is the best thermal conductor of all--it's even better than copper and gold! When you touch the silver even a second later, you should notice how really cold it is. The more pure the silver, the faster the metal turns cold. If it's only plated, the temperature change and melting won't occur.
If the item has a design (like a silver pendant) without gemstones or enameled color, put the design side down to the ice. As the ice starts melting, pick up the piece. You'll see a reverse version of the design right in the ice!
There are many tests to check if something is real silver. This test was a new one I never heard of.
Did you know ... Silver is a fantastic thermal conductor--it transfers heat and cold very quickly, at a level that almost seems science fictional. This is a fun test to run (and it's really fun with kids watching), and it's best run with un-set silver pieces which have no gemstone or enameling.
All you need is 1) the item you're testing and 2) a flat piece of ice.
Small jewelry pieces can probably use an ice cube. For larger pendants and coins, you may need to freeze some water in a disposable cup or foil pan (so you have a nice flat surface).
Place the silver item on the ice, silver side down, and don't take your eyes off of it. The ice should start to melt immediately, as if it were on a hot stove, creating the shape of your item in the ice. The purer the silver, the quicker the melt. This is because silver is the best thermal conductor of all--it's even better than copper and gold! When you touch the silver even a second later, you should notice how really cold it is. The more pure the silver, the faster the metal turns cold. If it's only plated, the temperature change and melting won't occur.
If the item has a design (like a silver pendant) without gemstones or enameled color, put the design side down to the ice. As the ice starts melting, pick up the piece. You'll see a reverse version of the design right in the ice!
Collecting Equipment
In order to enhance your prospecting for gems, minerals, rocks and fossils you will need certain equipment that will allow you to remove your samples from surrounding rock and sediment. The type of materials you will be collecting in, the kind of samples you look for and the surrounding environment will determine how to conduct the collecting and what type of equipment you must bring to the site. Specific locations might require the basic equipment in addition to optional or specialized equipment.
Most of the basic and optional equipment can be purchased at your local hardware store, Home Depot or Lowes. Specialty companies include Ward’s Natural Science, Diamond Pacific, Raytech Industries, Amateur Geologist, Kingsley North and Geo
- Basic Equipment:
- Rock pick or masonry hammer
- Chisel with 1-1 1/2” wide edge
- Work gloves
- Safety goggles or glasses
- Work boots/sturdy shoes (No sandals or open footwear)
- Bucket or knapsack for samples
- Newspapers for wrapping samples
- Small container or plastic bag for holding crystals
- First aid kit
- Insect repellant
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Magnifying glass or 10x loopStreak plate
- Glass square
- Hat
- Specialized Equipment:
- Ultraviolet light to detect fluorescent minerals
- HCL acid for testing for carbonate minerals
- Geiger counter to test for radioactive minerals
- Metal or plastic gold mining pans
- X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzers
- Metal detector
Helpful Suggestions:
Colored Coded Equipment. Some collectors paint part or all of their collecting equipment with a bright color so it is easier to see and retrieve them. If you loan out your equipment it is easier to distinguish your items from those of other collectors.
GPS Positioning. More collectors are now using GPS technology to locate the exact position of a collecting site. Having accurate directions and precise location coordinates helps to find the site faster and increases valuable collecting time. GPS technology is available on cell phones, built in car navigation systems and systems such as Garmin, Magellan and Tom Tom.
http://www.limineralandgeology.com/LiMags/Collecting_Equipment.html