Granite

The collection of the rocks was based on just picking up the most amount of difference looking rocks that was possible and bringing them home to analyze. This was done for about two months from many difference locations including campgrounds, beaches, rivers, highways as well as construction sites. After about two months there were many rocks so I started to analyze and take out the rocks that were of the same kind. I found many granite, basalt and conglomerate rocks.

Jade Stones “nephrite” are a mineral composed of magnesium, iron, and silicate of calcium. Usually, they are formed through extreme heat and pressure known as metamorphism. Surprisingly, it can be found on every continent in the world, including countries like New Zealand, Brazil, China (Sinkiang), Canada, Zimbabwe, and the United State. It can be found in serpentine rock, by mining, alongside riverbanks, and seashores. Due to its composition these stones are shaped and polished before it is used in massage ("Nephrite Jade Gemstone Information", 2014).

Quartz is the most abundant single mineral on earth. It makes up about 12% of the earth's crust, occurring in a wide variety of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.Quartz varieties are commonly separated into two groups based on the size of the individual grains or crystals. Macrocrystalline quartz in which individual crystals are distinguishable with the naked eye, and cryptocrystalline quartz in which the individual crystals are too small to be easily distinguishable under the light microscope. Some of the verities of the Macrocrystalline quartz are

The difference in the mineral composition is apparent in the rocks’ color and grain texture. Since basalt is a mafic rock, it tends to have a dark green to black, dark color, while granite tends to have a clear, white, and pink light color (Thompson & Turk, 2011, 37). Additionally, because basalt is an extrusive igneous rock, it has a very fine-grained texture, meaning that the crystals are nearly impossible to see (Thompson & Turk, 2011, 36). On the other hand, granite is an intrusive igneous rock, meaning that it has a medium- or coarse-grained texture, where the mineral grains and crystals are easily visible (Thompson & Turk, 2011, 36).

Amethyst is purple quartz; the color is caused by iron (Fe4+) impurities. Azurite is a copper mineral. Calcite is a very common and widespread mineral and has highly variable forms and colors. Lodestone is a natural magnet. Mica is a sheet silicate. Rose quartz is translucent and a variety of the silica mineral quartz, found in pegmatite. Talc almost always found in foliated masses in metamorphic rocks with many carbonate minerals. Pyrite is a very common mineral. The brassy-yellow metallic color of pyrite has lead people to mistaking it for Gold, so its common nickname is

Next, we can see that the rock displays a subtle porphyritic texture with plagioclase comprising the phenocrysts. The overall texture of the surrounding groundmass is granoblastic equigranular. Under thin section we also see a weakly defined foliation evidenced in the preferential alignment of actinolite grains and to a lesser extent chlorite grains. Undulose extinction is also observed in quartz indicating the rock was subject to deformation. The normalized quartz, alkali-feldspar, and plagioclase (QAP) values of this rock indicate that it is classified as a grano-diorite according to the IUGS QAPF classification system which is consistent with the hand sample interpretation.

2. Use the geologic definition of a mineral to determine which of the items listed in Figure 1.1 (p.3 lab book) are minerals and which are not minerals. Put an “X” in the appropriate box.

This study classifies the two granites under one unit named the Kilbride Granite, however, the research, which uses both radiometric dating and composition analysis, identifies them as two compositionally separate units with different ages. On the other hand, it is not wrong to say that the granites were related as they are the two latest forming members of the Eastern Red Hills complex. (Bell and Harris, 1986)

Mineral |Crystal shape |Color |Density |Hardness |Streak |Fizzes in acid? | |Galena (lead ore) |Cubic/ irregular |Gray |7.5 g/mL |3 |Dark gray |No | |Gold |Irregular |Golden yellow |19.3 g/mL |3 |Yellow |No | |Graphite (pencil lead) |Irregular |Dark gray |2.2 g/mL |2 |Gray |No | |Hematite (iron ore) |Irregular |Red-brown to black |5.3

It is currently the largest exposed granite in the world weighing approximately one trillion pounds; although, only one third of the mountain can be seen as a majority of the mountain expands below ground as far as North Carolina. The enormous pluton mountain, as scientifically identified by geologist, was formed by a complex folding and faulting that had subsequently created the Blue ridge mountains. Though what remains as a mystery to many geologist is as to how such a massive granite mountain has become exposed. Although there are several theories that have been publicated to explain such a phenomena none are substantial or advocated the most. While the origins of Stone Mountain are elusive, the correlations of this landmarks with american history are intricately

Marble is a natural stone material made mostly of calcite. A metamorphic stone, marble is actually limestone that has been changed through tremendous amounts of heat and pressure. The different minerals that were present in the limestone at the time it became marble give different types

As a crystalline boron silicate mineral, a tourmaline gemstone can contain a variety of elements such as iron, aluminium, sodium, potassium, lithium or magnesium. Its classification is a semi-precious stone and it comes in

     Rocks are classified to make it easier on people to identify them in the future. This can be done by a numerous amount of ways. Each rock type has their own specific ways, but there are two distinct characteristics that apply to all. These are texture and composition. These two, along with many others helps to classify igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

The name geode comes from the Greek word Geoides, which means "earthlike"(What is). A geode is a mass of minerals that is created when those minerals seep into air pockets of the rock (Incredible). Since we don’t have the time to observe and experiment on real rocks we will learn how to make our own using eggshells (Helmenstine). Natural Geodes typically have creamy-white or clear crystals, and the outside is dull and is very misleading. On a rare occasion, the rock can have different crystal colors, for example, it could be blue, black, red, and purple (Martha). In this experiment, we will use food dye to achieve those colors. In Mexico, there are geodes large enough for people to hide in (Baggaley)! Which mineral ends up as crystals depend on the locations and conditions such as temperature, acidity, and the type of rock the geode forms in. Quartz crystals are more common in igneous rocks and silica is more common in geodes that form in sediment rocks

Another mineral is Ice is a mineral; it’s true I would never think ice can be a mineral. It occurs in nature in the form of hexagonal crystals and has a specific chemical formula (H2O).(chapter2).