Rock Samples

minerals - gemstones - elements

What it shows:
A selection of rocks and minerals available for lecture demonstrations

How it works:
The following samples are available for show-and-tell in lecture. The samples vary in size, and only those marked with a 4 are big enough to be seen.

1. A selection of elements in their natural (unrefined) states:
    native copper Cu 4
    diamond C iso
    gold Au
    realgar (silver ore) 4
    graphite C hex 4
    Silver Ag
    sulfur S orth 4

2. Single or large multiple crystals:
    amethyst SiO₂ hex
    chalcopyrite CuFeS₂ tet
    galena PbS iso 4
    garnet X₃Y₂(SiO₄)₃ [X=Ca, Fe²⁺, Mg, Mn²⁺ Y=Al, Cr, Fe³⁺, Mn³⁺, Ti, V, Zr]
    haematite (kidneystone) Fe₂O₃hex 4
    iron pyrite FeS iso 4
    mica K₄Al₁₂Si₁₂O₄₀(OH)₃ 4
    quartz Si0₂ hex 4
    sodium chloride NaCl iso 4

3. A selection of minerals that have interesting/beautiful structure:
    agate SiO₂
    amethyst SiO₂ hex
    aquamarine Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆
    asbestos Serpentine (Mg, Fe, Ni)₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄ 4
    azurite Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂ mono
    bauxite Al₂O₃ 4
    cassiterite SnO₂ tet
    flint (siliceous)
    galena PbS iso
    lapis lazuli (Na, Ca)_7-8(Al, Si)₁₂(O, S)₂₄[SO₄, C₁₂(OH)₂] iso
    opal Si₂.nH₂O
    stibnite Sb₂S₃ orth
    petrified wood 4

4. Fluorescent Minerals:
    Calcite CaCO₃ (pink)
    Willenite Zn₂SO₄ (green)

Key to crystal structure:
    hex = hexagonal
    iso = isometric
    mono = monoclinic
    orth = orthorhombic

Comments:
A further selection of samples exist in the Department of Geology (contact Prof. Heinrich Holland). Rating**

References:
1. L. G. Berry, B. Mason, R. V. Dietrich Mineralogy 2ed (W. H. Freeman, 1983)
2. M. Prinz, G. Harlow, J. Peters (ed.) Simon & Schuster's Guide to Rocks and Minerals (Simon & Schuster, NY, 1978)

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