Rock Key

The Life Cycle of a Mineral Deposit—A Teacher’s Guide for Hands-On Mineral Education Activities This teacher's guide defines what a mineral deposit is and how a mineral deposit is identified and measured, how the mineral resources are extracted, and how the mining site is reclaimed; how minerals and mineral resources are processed; and how we use mineral resources in our every day lives. Included are 10 activitybased learning exercises that educate students on basic geologic concepts; the processes of finding, identifying, and extracting the resources from a mineral deposit; and the uses of minerals. The guide is intended for K through 12 Earth science teachers and students and is designed to meet the National Science Content Standards as defined by the National Research Council (1996). To assist in the understanding of some of the geology and mineral terms, see the Glossary (appendix 1) and Minerals and Their Uses (appendix 2).

Rocks: Pictures of Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary Rocks Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli - a metamorphic rock and the most popular blue opaque gemstone in history. Tumbled Stones Tumbled Stones are rocks that have been rounded, smoothed and polished in a rock tumbler. Quartzite Quartzite a nonfoliated metamorphic rock composed almost entirely of quartz. Fluorescent Minerals Fluorescent Minerals and rocks glow with spectacular colors under ultraviolet light. Geology.com Store Gifts that Rock! Geodes Geodes look like ordinary rocks on the outside but can be spectacular inside! Trap Rock Trap Rock is a name applied to any dark-colored igneous rock used to produce crushed stone. Don*t Go To Jail Rock Collectors must know the rules before removing rocks from public and private property. Difficult Rocks Difficult Rocks Elementary students find lots of rocks that you will not be able to identify. Sand Grains A Grain of Sand Gallery of sand grains through a microscope by Dr. Sand Sand is a diverse material. Shale Siltstone Rock Tumbling Soapstone Rock Art Unakite Crushed Stone

10 Steps to Identify Minerals - Start with the Specimen Learning mineral identification is like learning to cook. You begin by following step-by-step procedures and looking up a lot of things. But after a while you notice regularities, become familiar with the usual suspects, make some productive mistakes, and get better at it until it becomes easy and fun. Another way mineral identification is like cooking is that professionals can go to school, learn to use expensive equipment and master the subject fully, yet amateurs can handle nearly all the common possibilities using just a few simple tools. The first thing to do is to observe and test your mineral. (Review "What Is a Mineral?"