- Rock Chasing
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- 9/5/24
9/5/24
Hello rockhound,
We’ve got some incredible photos and great info for you this week. Come hang out with your fellow rockhounds!
This week we cover
The finest diamonds in New York (in my opinion)
Our spirit animal
Some agates that are on FIRE
How to spot fake moonstones
Incredible deserts in Colorado
Much more!
Happy rockhounding!
Keith
A little sparkle to start
Photo credit: Fossilera
What a find! This fire agate specimen from the Calvillo Mines in Mexico showcases a brilliant iridescence that shifts around with the light 🔥.
Fire agate is a variety of chalcedony, known for its metallic shimmer caused by something called the Schiller Effect. The vibrant colors are created by layers of iron oxide within the stone, producing an effect that’s reminiscent of fire.
These are some of the most unique agates you can find and they never disappoint!
A Quick Recommendation
I’m a huge fan of nature and exploration but there is just so much out there that I’ll never get to see. My desire far exceeds my BUDGET!
Adventure Fix is a great newsletter that focuses on some of the really cool adventure locations and all of the nature and wildlife you can see there. It’s completely free and they share a lot of really cool stuff.
You can click on the button below to check it out for free. If you don’t like it, it’s also very easy to unsubscribe. No hassle, just a lot of beautiful nature.
They do provide a small bit of support to me every time someone signs up (even for free). It helps keep the completely free newsletter and website we provide up and running. Every little bit help!
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Other people won’t understand….
Our spirit animal…
Find of the week
Herkimer Diamonds
This week we have some great finds shared by fellow rockhound Mark. He found the beautiful Herkimer Diamonds above in Herkimer, NY (naturally) and the garnets below in Connecticut.
Herkimer diamonds are a type of clear, double-terminated quartz crystal found in Herkimer County, New York. Despite their name, they are not actual diamonds but they are really beautiful.
Great finds Mark and thanks for sharing!
Garnets
Send me photos of your rocks and minerals!
I want to see what you’re finding and adding to your collection! Send me photos of the rocks and minerals that you’re discovering in your rockhounding journey or bought and added to your collection so I can share it with the community.
Send your best photos and descriptions to [email protected] or just reply to this email!
Geology Highlights
Photo credit: Weinrich Minerals
OverviewBlack crystals are like the mysterious, deep-black heroes. Some tales and stories go back hundreds of years hidden in those stones. Each black crystal has its own story, and despite their beauty, these gems are useful.
Earth Enigmas
Each week we ask a fun trivia question here. We’ll share the answers and the community responses for everyone to read next week. Show off your rockhounding chops!
Last week we asked “Which of the following rocks or minerals can be scratched by an iron nail?” and most of you “nailed” it!
An iron nail has a hardness of about 4.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Minerals softer than this can be scratched by the nail. Here's how the listed minerals compare:
Quartz: Hardness of 7 (cannot be scratched by an iron nail).
Feldspar: Hardness of 6 (cannot be scratched by an iron nail).
Apatite: Hardness of 5 (cannot be scratched by an iron nail).
Calcite: Hardness of 3 (can be scratched by an iron nail).
This week’s question is below:
What is the term for a naturally formed underground cavity in a rock, especially one that has minerals lining its walls? |
Geology highlights
Photo Credit: Garret Weintrob
This might look like the Sahara Desert found in Africa but it’s actually the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado, home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising up to 750 feet from the San Luis Valley floor. These massive dunes are the result of wind-blown sand accumulating in a natural pocket formed by surrounding mountains.
The creation of the San Luis Valley began millions of years ago when tectonic forces uplifted the Sangre de Cristo Range and volcanic activity shaped the landscape. As ancient lakes dried up, the sand was left behind, eventually forming the dunes we see today.
This unique landscape continues to evolve as winds shift the dunes, creating an ever-changing environment.
Rockhounding
I’m a big fan of Petoskey Stones. They are really unique and beautiful once they are polished!
Petoskey stones are fossilized coral, specifically from the species Hexagonaria percarinata, that lived about 350 million years ago during the Devonian period. These stones are found primarily in Michigan, particularly along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Check out the before and after.
Geology Highlights
Photo credit: AbstractRockShop
Mountains are home to many cool crystals, including sapphire, galena, and garnet. These crystals have different colors and shapes, making them interesting to learn about.
Each crystal, like sapphire, galena, and garnet, has its own story of how it ended up there.
Geology highlights
The Andes Mountains stretch over 5,500 miles along the western edge of South America 🌎. This vast range passes through seven countries, including Argentina, Chile, and Peru.
The Andes are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, formed by the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate. This tectonic activity has created distinct climatic zones within the Andes: Tropical, Dry, and Wet Andes.
The Andes also contain large quantities of iron ore and are home to some of the world's highest plateaus. The Altiplano Plateau, in particular, is the second-highest in the world, hosting major cities like La Paz and Quito.
Geology Highlights
Moonstone is a beautiful gem that has mesmerized people for hundreds of years with its unique glow that moves and dances in the light. Adularescence is the name of the unique effect that gives moonstone its beauty and a mystery air.
Have you ever wondered how to tell if a moonstone is real or fake? It might look hard to do this, especially since fakes can now look like the real thing, but it is easier than you think.
We’ll show you have to spot the fakes!