How to determine semi precious stones and rocks?

Question

I have several semi precious stones, most relating to chakra but I also have other stones. I have tried looking on the internet for a place to see how I can determine what they are. Any ides?

Answer 1

In order to determine the identification of unknown rocks or minerals, tests need to be done. First, what were they called when you purchased them? Sometimes the place you buy objects from have limited knowledge that may prove useful, other times they are clueless but its a start. Where were the rocks quarried or mined? A big part of identification comes from what the fresh surface looks like, in other words you need to break off a section to see the crystals within the rock.

Minerals can be identified through various tests including streak, hardness and specific gravity measurements.

Answer 2

First, do NOT NOT NOT!! rely on color. Go online and look up the Earth Science Reference Tables, or ESRT. On the last page there is a mineral list, and in the middle of the ESRT there are three charts identifying common sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks.

Now, if they are minerals, use a unglazed ceramic tile to test streak. Then, examine it. If it breaks in a pattern, it has cleavage. If not, it has fracture. Then, take your fingernail. Can it scratch it? If so, it has a hardness of 2.5 or less. Now, take a penny. If is scratches the penny, then it is 3.5 or more. If it scratches glass, it is 5.5 or more.

Now look at your rocks. If there are gas pockets, is smooth like glass, or has large, intergrown crystals, you have an igneous rock. Now, if it has banding, or foliation, it is metamorphic. (High pressure underground causes minerals of like densities to band together) Lastly, if it has fossils or shells or particles embedded into it, or it feels like sand, it is sedimentary.

Now, armed with this information, go research a mineral identification site and you will find out what you have! Trust me, i've done it before. :) I had amethyst and limestone.