Simple Geology Part 1,by Stephanie Pflumm ©Copyright 2007

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Simple Geology (part 1)

Posted by: " Stephanie Pflumm " ozarkrockexchange ozarkrockexchange

Thu Oct 4, 2007 9:16 pm ((PDT))

 

( Stephanie has given us permission to repost her newsletters though I do not

usually do so because I think the majority of the members here also to

her newsletter or other lists which repost it

 

Happy Thursday All,

 

Been having too much fun. Got to run off and play at two different Pagan Pride

events in September, but then had to rush to catch back up with my newsletter

deadline and normal life.

 

Simple Geology Part 1

by Stephanie Pflumm ©Copyright 2007

 

Yes, simple geology is an oxymoron, though it does not have to be. At one time

geology was as simple as all green gems are Emeralds. Today reference books

and articles seem to go out of their way to make it complicated. As the study

of gemstones, rocks and minerals became more of a science the need to

classify, describe and define created a new language. Even my poor spell

checker is continually confounded by terms and names, rarely accepting to

learn the new words.

 

Eventually, constant reading, searching out descriptions, as well as actually

seeing many stones allowed my poor blonde brain to get a rudimentary grasp of

most of the classifications, terms and definitions used to describe stones. I

now understand geology. Mostly. More precisely, I can translate it into words

regular people, like me recognize.

 

So, I hope these articles make geology a little simpler for you. Starting

with, what geology is, the study of:

 

Minerals - these are natural occurring, non-organic, solid elements. Like

Gold, Silver or Iron. They can also be a compound of different minerals, such

as Pyrite (Sulfur & Iron) or Amethyst (Silicon and Iron). About 2,500

different minerals have been described, with new ones being added at a fairly

consistent rate. One of my best reference book only has the definitions for

232 minerals.

 

Gemstones - are minerals that have ornamental value. Diamonds, Rubies, even

Onyx used for carvings would be considered a gemstone. If people will purchase

or trade it because they find it pretty, it is a gemstone.

 

Rocks - aggregates of minerals. To put it more simply, any solid combination

of minerals that is not a gemstone.

 

Here is where things can start to get complicated. Minerals, stones are

described in a number of ways; crystals structure, luster, specific gravity or

classification.

 

There are 15 main mineral classes, with six sub classes for the silicates

(which are Quartz based minerals, 93% of all minerals have some silicate or

Quartz). Here is a quick sample of some of the main classes.

 

Borates - minerals such as Borax and Colemanite that have an important Borate

element

Carbonates - Carbonate is the determining element, includes Calcites

Halides - compounded minerals from the halogen group where fluorine, chlorine,

bromine and iodine are the influencing factors, Fluorite and Halite are

included in this class

Molybdates - Molybdate is the influencing element, Wulfenite is a Molybdate

Native Elements - minerals that occur as is in nature, Gold, Copper or Silver

are considered native elements

Oxides - a rather large group of minerals where Oxygen has combined with a

metallic element; there are simple oxides, hydroxides and multiple oxides;

Cuprite and Magnerite are oxides

Silicates - any Quartz mineral (the largest class of minerals, gemstones or

rocks)

Sulfur - this element is responsible for two separate mineral classes:

Sulfides - Sulfur interacts with a metal like Iron, Copper or Zinc; includes

Pyrite, Galena and Sphalerite

Sulfosalts - Sulfur combines with semi-metals such as a arsenic and bismuth

which forms negative ions and interacts with Lead, Silver, Copper and Zinc to

create compounded minerals like Tetrahedrite and Pyrargyrite

 

All minerals crystallize. Sometimes crystals structures are so dense and woven

together that they are invisible to the naked eye, such as in the various

Chalcedonies or Jades. Sometimes the crystals are quite visible and take on a

foreign or other-worldly appearance like Silver and Gold crystals. So, of

course, minerals are also described by their crystals structures.

 

Crystals structures each have a specific symmetry, which means their faces are

arranged in a balanced, defined pattern. While size and appearance may vary

greatly, the symmetry will remain identical. How the pattern balances along

the axis of the crystal determines it's crystal classifications.

 

Isometric - aka cubic system usually look like blocks or have a ball shape

with symmetrical faces

Hexagonal - prismatic or columns with three or six sides, sometimes

terminating in triangular or pyramidal shapes

Monoclinic - short, stubby and tilted with matching ends, sort of a

rectangular shape, sometimes has prismatic terminations

Orthorhombic - small diamond shaped or rectangular crystals, can form

four-sided pyramids and prisms

Tetragonal - long, needle like crystals which terminate in pyramids and

four-sided prisms

Triclinic - flat crystals with sharp edges and faces with no right angles, all

of different lengths

Dendric - plant like formations, Gold and Silver are dendric crystals

 

While the science of geology has complicated trying to understand stones,

there is a prevailing, simple truth.

 

Stones you pull from your garden, the Marble mined in a quarry, or the Emerald

you wear, all share a similar legacy. Some cataclysmic event heated and

pressurized local minerals into a endless rainbow of combinations.

Understanding the differences and similarities in regional rock formations

have allowed geologists to build a history of Mother Earth's growth cycles.

Your rocks, that Marble and the Emerald are all paragraphs in Mother's life

story.

 

In the next article you can learn the simpler definitions for classification

terms like luster, gravity and cleavage.

 

Abundant blessings,

Stephanie

 

 

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