- Rock Chasing
- Posts
- Did you know Obsidian is used like this?
Did you know Obsidian is used like this?
Did you know Obsidian is used like this?Hello rockhound,
It’s been another busy week around here with some great things to share!
This week we cover
Some incredible natural pillars and columns
Chalcedony and why you love it
Rock marketing…?
The really cool ways Obsidian is used
How you’re making rock ID’s
Much more!
Happy rockhounding!
Keith
Keep up with AI
How do you keep up with the insane pace of AI? Join The Rundown — the world’s largest AI newsletter that keeps you up-to-date with everything happening in AI, and why it actually matters in just a 5-minute read per day.
A little sparkle to start
Dioptase - Photo Credit Spirifer Minerals
This is an incredible example of Dioptase. Highly valued for its intense emerald-green color, Dioptase gets its green color from its relatively high level of copper content. Its luster ranges from vitreous to sub-adamantine, making it a visually appealing mineral.
While dioptase can be cut into gemstones, its use in jewelry is limited due to its brittleness. Nevertheless, its striking color and rarity make it a coveted specimen among collectors and gem enthusiasts.
Other people won’t understand….
I’m happy with WITH the rock I just want MORE of them….
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!
|
Find of the week
This incredible Smokey Quartz cluster was found by a fellow rockhound in New Mexico, just north of Albuquerque. Its a common mineral composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2).
The unique brown-to-black color of Smokey Quartz comes from natural radiation exposure over millions of years from the presence of natural radioactive elements like uranium and thorium in the surrounding rocks. This radiation causes free silicon in the crystal structure to form, creating the dark, smoky appearance.
In New Mexico, smokey quartz is often found in granite-rich areas, such as the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
What a find!
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
Do you know the feeling of winning the lottery? That’s the thrill of discovering one of the world’s rarest crystals. For collectors and enthusiasts, the hunt for these rare gemstones is a journey filled with anticipation and wonder.
We’re going to cover some of the rarest and most beautiful crystals out there that you might be able to find one day.
Earth Enigmas
This week I want to learn more about what you do after you find something cool! It isn’t always easy to tell what you’ve found so I want to know how you go about making the final identification of your finds.
How do you most often identify the rocks and minerals you find |
Geology highlights
The mysterious stone columns at Crowley Lake in California are a hidden gem worth exploring. These natural formations, located along Highway 395, resemble ancient temple structures with their cracked, cylindrical shapes.
Geologists have determined that the columns formed after a massive volcanic explosion around 760,000 years ago. This event created the Long Valley Caldera, where the columns now stand as remnants of that dramatic past.
Accessing the Crowley Lake columns requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle due to the challenging terrain. Despite the effort, the sight of these unique formations is a rewarding experience for adventurous visitors!
Rockhounding
Look at this dream find!
Can you imagine finding something like this? This is the dream of many of us.
Such a beauty!
Geology Highlights
Chalcedony is one of the most diverse and beautiful rocks you are going to find. There are so many different varieties and many of them are among your favorites.
We’re going to go through them all and show some incredible examples of what you can find.
Geology highlights
Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mare, Italy, offers a dining experience like no other. This sea cave restaurant, nestled in a natural limestone cave, provides diners with breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea.
Sea caves form through the relentless force of ocean waves crashing against rock cliffs. These waves exploit natural weaknesses in the rock, gradually eroding and carving out cavities.
Over time, the hydraulic pressure from the waves enlarges these cavities into sizable caves. In some cases, blowholes may develop, allowing jets of spray to escape through the cave roof.
Thankfully, waves and leaky cave roofs haven't seemed to be a problem for this restaurant!
Geology highlights
We all know that Obsidian looks incredible but it actually has a variety of other interesting uses. We’re going to cover how it’s used and why it’s so valuable for those applications.