I have a variety of minerals and gem stones where or who would i contact to help identify them?

Question

i have a large collection of stones that were my grandfathers and over the years they have lost the lables and now i need help sorting through them who would be able to help me do this

Answer 1

The best way to go about identifying them is to use a field guide. There are all sorts of books about minerals and gems, but field guides can give you a practical way to figure out what you have.

Most give you general categories that you can determine whether or not your sample belongs to it. You might do a scratch test to see if it can leave a mark on something or what color streak it leaves. Colors present can reveal what chemical elements make it up. Shape of the sample can reveal the molecular shape which can be another clue. Also, you can tell a lot about a stone on how it fractures.  Sometimes, where you find it can indicate origin...or what it's near. Geologists can be so excited about rocks that they like to write books about them. Some will catalog all the ones they find in the region where they live (or study). You might also try asking your closest State Parks...ask around and you'll probably find a ranger who has a basic idea of what the samples might be.

I've had over 20 semester hours of geology courses, but still have some difficulty identifying some rocks and minerals. Some are obvious. Some are not. I'd use a field guide if I was in your place. If you don't want to buy one, the local library would probably have something to help you. I'd almost guarantee they'd have a field guide.

Answer 2

I AM A RETIRED GEMOLOGIST.

I COULD HELP YOU, BUT DO NOT RECOMMEND SENDING VALUABLE STONES THROUGH THE MAILS, UNINSURED.

The evaluation of gemstones is a science, and is taken very seriously.

AS YOU DO NOT KNOW THE NAMES OF THE STONES, be careful with them, there could be some that are valuable.

I ASSUME YOU ARE REFERRING TO STONES OF FACET AND CAB QUALITY AND CUT?

I WILL CHECK YOUR CONTACT information, and try to write you a mail.

If I do not succeed in doing this, you can contact me, by clicking on my Picture-Name "Icon".

I hope this was of a little help, for now . . .

Answer 3

This site might be able to help you, if not take them to a local jeweler and get his advice.