Want to show a chunk of clear Beryl i found the other day.

[G Freeman]

The clarity of this is amazing. Even without the blue sky shining through I can see a trace of blue in the crystal. Weight 600 Grams. Thanks for looking.

 

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[G Freeman]

So, if I understand correctly, I take a piece of known quartz and try to scratch the piece I'm unsure of? If it leaves a mark, the suspect piece is softer (or the same as?) quartz. If it doesn't leave a mark, it's a harder mineral (and I'd have to figure out exactly which 'harder mineral' it was at that point). Do I have this right? Thanks again-- Yakker

You are on the right track. Good starting place.

 

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[rodoconnor]

You can buy Mohs Hardness scratch kits . This will help you start to narrow down the process a bit G.L

 

[G Freeman]

You can buy Mohs Hardness scratch kits . This will help you start to narrow down the process a bit G.L

Hey rodoconnor, where is the best place to buy the scratch kits. I saw a 10 piece set on Ebay but if I remember right it was 97.00. Hope I can find the set lower than that. Thanks.

 

[rodoconnor]

Glen, ebay is a source, probably the least expensive. Geological supply sites online also have them pretty reasonable . G/L Rod

 

[rodoconnor]

Glen , do you have the good old Rockpecker Notes by La Rune? A great resource.Full of information !

 

[G Freeman]

rodoconnor no I don't have that. First I heard of it. Thanks.

 

[Eu_citzen]

Hey rodoconnor, where is the best place to buy the scratch kits. I saw a 10 piece set on Ebay but if I remember right it was 97.00. Hope I can find the set lower than that. Thanks.

Look or google for geological supplies. They can be found cheaper there sometimes.

 

[BurntBear]

$80 is the lowest I've found new.

 

[Eu_citzen]

Yeah, I think 70-80$ is about the lowest I've seen to.

 

[G Freeman]

$80 is the lowest I've found new.

Thanks Luke for checking that out for me.

 

[G Freeman]

Yeah, I think 70-80$ is about the lowest I've seen to.

Thanks EU.

 

[yakker]

Thanks guys. I have most, if not all of the things that seem to be in a test kit (glass, copper scrap, nails, unglazed porcelain, dental pick, mag. glasses). And I just found my book on rocks and gems which has a hardness scale. Am I missing something? Some secret thing that's in a kit that I'm not seeing? Thanks again- Yakker

 

[G Freeman]

Thanks guys. I have most, if not all of the things that seem to be in a test kit (glass, copper scrap, nails, unglazed porcelain, dental pick, mag. glasses). And I just found my book on rocks and gems which has a hardness scale. Am I missing something? Some secret thing that's in a kit that I'm not seeing? Thanks again- Yakker

Yakker you are fine, I have been looking for a scratch test kit that is less expensive than Ebay and they were trying to help. I have quartz to scratch with that is 7 on Mohs scale of hardness but I was wanting to find the whole kit.

 

[Eu_citzen]

In my test kit there is:

(steel) nail or knife, magnet or compass, unglazed porcelain, acid and loupe.

The "or" is because I use others things in the field. I don't carry a magnet into the field, but a compass is almost always on my belt.

You'll do perfectly fine with vinegar as acid, available in the food store.

 

[yakker]

Thank you very much! I'll start testing all the things I've found and see what I have! I'll report if I find anything interesting- Yakker

 

[yakker]

Yakker you are fine, I have been looking for a scratch test kit that is less expensive than Ebay and they were trying to help. I have quartz to scratch with that is 7 on Mohs scale of hardness but I was wanting to find the whole kit.

Well, I guess depending on how small and/or technical you're needing, here's this-

Mineralab Deluxe Hardness Pick Set | Jon-Don

right down the the very least of them all:

Rock & Mineral Testing Kit - Hardness, Color & Acid Tests

Of course that last one is... well.. you know Yak

 

[G Freeman]

Well, I guess depending on how small and/or technical you're needing, here's this-

Mineralab Deluxe Hardness Pick Set | Jon-Don

right down the the very least of them all:

Rock & Mineral Testing Kit - Hardness, Color & Acid Tests

Of course that last one is... well.. you know Yak

Thanks yakker for the info.