There are three types of rocks they are: Sedimentary, Igneous and Metamorphic. Some more information is below.
Rocks- What is a Rock?
A rock may seem like a plain grey object, but there are many types of rocks and are used for many different things.
A rock is solid, naturally occurring object made up of minerals or mineral matter. Some rocks are just made up of one mineral but some others are made up of many. Most rocks are made up of many minerals but there are some that are only made up of one.
Rocks are the pages in the history book of the earth. They tell stories of times long past. From rocks, we have learned of dinosaurs, trilobites and thousands of other life forms that existed on earth once but are now no more.
Like most earth materials, rocks and destroyed and created in cycles. The rock cycle describes the way that rocks are formed and changed. This is a picture that explains the rock cycle.
A rock may seem like a plain grey object, but there are many types of rocks and are used for many different things.
A rock is solid, naturally occurring object made up of minerals or mineral matter. Some rocks are just made up of one mineral but some others are made up of many. Most rocks are made up of many minerals but there are some that are only made up of one.
Rocks are the pages in the history book of the earth. They tell stories of times long past. From rocks, we have learned of dinosaurs, trilobites and thousands of other life forms that existed on earth once but are now no more.
Like most earth materials, rocks and destroyed and created in cycles. The rock cycle describes the way that rocks are formed and changed. This is a picture that explains the rock cycle.
Minerals and gemstones:Minerals are made of elements. Elements are simple substances that cannot be broken down into any other substance. The name of an element is written down as a combination of letters called a symbol, many minerals are made up of large numbers of elements, so their formulas are complex. The most common minerals are those based on silicon and oxygen. People value and search for minerals for many different reasons. Most are useful as they are the raw materials of the metals we manufacture into goods. The lead in a pencil is the mineral graphite mixed with clay. Precious metals are used in commerce and other minerals are valued as gemstones. Minerals are either found in shapeless lumps or they can form into the special shapes which most people call crystals. Most minerals form within the spaces between other minerals and grow into rough shapeless masses. However, if they are able to form freely in a hole or cavity in the surrounding rock the mineral takes the form of a crystal and these crystal lined cavities are called pockets.
Did you know that there are over two hundred recognized gemstones. Most are minerals that have been cut and polished. To qualify as a gemstone, the specimen should be hard and tough. gemstone are valued based on rarity and the quality of product. Gemstone are used in jewelry, ornaments and some people believe that certain gemstones cure diseases and have good effects on health and keep away evil spirits.
Gemology is the study of gemstones, which includes gem properties, locations, and how and when they were formed. Gemology is often studied by people in the jewelry business, including business owners, buyers, designers, and appraisers. Others studying gemology include antique dealers and auction house catalogers. People in these jobs need to be able to identify gems and gemstones and describe their attributes.
Birthstones are special stones associated with each month of the year. They have a place in history, mythology and science. Below is each months gemstones, there meaning and a little bit of history about them.
January-Garnet
Garnet is the birthstone for January it signifies eternal friendship and trust.Garnet comes from the word granatum which means seed. It is called this because of the gem resemblance to a pomegranate seed. References to the gemstone dates back to 3100BC, when Egyptians used garnet in jewelry. Most sources of garnet come from Africa, Sri Lanka and India.
February- Amethyst
Amethyst is believed by ancient Greeks and Romans to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus, a Roman God. It is also said that the person who wears the Amethyst clear headed and quick witted.Throughout history this gemstone has been associated with many myths, legends, religions and numerous cultures. Amethyst is a purple quartz and can be found almost anywhere in the world.
March- Aquamarine
The name aquamarine comes from the Latin word aqua, meaning water, and marina, meaning the sea. This gemstone was believed to protect sailors, and guarantee them a safe voyage. The color of aquamarine is said to cool the temper, allowing the wearer to remain calm and levelheaded. This gemstone is mined mainly in Brazil, but also is found in Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan, and Mozambique.
April-Diamond
As the April birthstone, diamonds are a common gift to family. Diamonds come in many different colors some of these are yellow, red, pink, blue, and green. They range in intensity from faint to vivid and generally the more saturated the color, the higher the value. In fact, diamonds sparkling with intense color are rare and may be priced higher than a colorless diamond of equal size.
May-Emerald
As the birthstone for May, the emerald, a symbol of rebirth, is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune, and youth. Emerald, comes from the word smaragdus, meaning green in Greek, was mined in Egypt as early as 330 B.C. Today, most of the world’s emeralds are mined in Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan, and Zambia.
June- Pearl Moonstone and Alexandrite
Historically, pearls have been used as an adornments for centuries. They were one of the favorite gem materials of the Roman Empire; later in Tudor England, the 1500s were known as the pearl age. Pearls are unique as they are the only gems from living sea creatures.
It was given its name by a Roman, who wrote that moonstone's appearance altered with the phases of the moon — a belief that held until well after the sixteenth century. A phenomenal gemstone, moonstones show a floating play of light (called adularescence) and sometimes show either a multi-rayed star or a cat's eye.
A relatively modern gem, Alexandrite, was first discovered in Russia in 1831 during the reign, Czar Alexander II, and is an extremely rare gem with chameleon-like qualities. Its color is a lovely green in both daylight and fluorescent light; it changes color to a purplish red in incandescent light.
July- RubyRubies arouse the senses, stir the imagination, and are said to guarantee health, wisdom, wealth and success in love. It is harder than any natural gemstone except diamond, which means a ruby is durable enough for everyday wear. Fine-quality ruby is extremely rare, and the color of the gem is most important to its value. The most prized color is a medium or medium dark vivid red or slightly purplish red. If the gem is too light or has too much purple or orange, it will be called a fancy-color sapphire.
August-Peridot
Peridot is said to have magical powers and healing properties to protect against nightmares and to bring the owner power, influence, and a wonderful year. As peridot is a gemstone that forms deep inside the Earth and brought to the surface by volcanoes, in Hawaii, peridot symbolizes the tears of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes. Today, most of the peridot supply comes from Arizona; other sources are China, Myanmar, and Pakistan. This gemstone comes in several color variations ranging from yellowish green to brown, but most buyers are attracted to the bright lime greens and olive greens. Peridot, in smaller sizes, often is used in beaded necklaces and bracelets.
September-Sapphire
Sapphire, the September birthstone, has been popular since the Middle Ages and, according to folklore, will protect your loved ones from envy and harm. Medieval royalty wore sapphires to symbolize heaven, while commoners thought the gem attracted heavenly blessings. Blue sapphires range from very light to very dark greenish or violetish blue, as well as various shades of pure blue. The most prized colors are a medium to medium dark blue or slightly violetish blue.
October- Tourmaline and Opal
Tourmaline is known for displaying several colors in the same gemstone. These bi-color or tri-color gems are formed in many combinations; gemstones with clear color distinctions are highly prized. One multi-color variety is known as watermelon tourmaline, and features green, pink, and white colors bands; to resemble its namesake, the gemstone is cut into thin slices having a pink center, white ring, and green edge. Tourmaline is found in many localities including Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa, and the USA.
The name opal derives from the Greek Opallos, meaning "to see a change (of color)." Opals range in color from milky white to black with flashes of yellow, orange, green, red, and blue. An opal's beauty is the product of contrast between its color play and its background. Opal is a formation of non-crystalline silica gel that seeped into crevices in the sedimentary strata. Through time and nature's heating and molding processes, the gel hardened into the form of opals.
November- Topaz and Citrine
Topaz is a gemstone available in a rich rainbow of colors. Prized for several thousand years , all yellow gems in antiques were called topaz. Often confused with citrine quartz (yellow) and smoky quartz (brown), quartz and topaz are separate and unrelated mineral species. The most prized color of topaz is called Imperial topaz after the Russian Czars of the 1800s and features a magnificent orange body color with pinkish undertones. Topaz also comes in yellow, pink, purple, orange, and many blue tones.
Citrine, the other birthstone for November is known as the "healing quartz". This golden gemstone is said to support vitality and health while encouraging and guiding hope, energy and warmth within the wearer. Citrine can be found in a variety of shades ranging from pastel yellow to dark brownish orange. It is one of the most affordable of gemstones and plentiful in nature. Citrine is found most frequently in Brazil, Bolivia, and Spain.
December- Tanzanite, Zircon and Turquoise
Discovered in the late 1960s in Tanzania, and found exclusively in this tiny area of the world, tanzanite exhibits a rich violet-blue color for which the gemstone is treasured; often it is heat-treated to achieve this color. Colors range from blue to purple, and tanzanites that are medium dark in tone, and slightly violet blue.
The word Zircon comes from the Arabic words zar and gun, meaning gold and color, zircon is found in a wide range of colors such as: blue, yellow, orange, brown, green, colorless, and red (the most prized color). For many years colorless zircon was used to imitate diamonds. Folk wisdom grants zircon the power to relieve pain, whet the appetite, protect travelers from disease and injury, to ensure a warm welcome, and to prevent nightmares guaranteeing a deep, tranquil sleep. Major sources of zircon are the Chanthaburi area of Thailand, the Palin area of Cambodia, and the southern part of Vietnam.
The name turquoise, from the French expression Pierre tourques or Turkish stone, originated in the thirteenth century and describes one of the oldest known gemstones. Turquoise varies in color from greenish blue, through robin's egg-blue, to sky blue shades and its transparency ranges from translucent to opaque. Turquoise is plentiful and is available in a wide range of sizes. It is most often used for beads, cabochons, carvings, and inlays.
Did you know that there are over two hundred recognized gemstones. Most are minerals that have been cut and polished. To qualify as a gemstone, the specimen should be hard and tough. gemstone are valued based on rarity and the quality of product. Gemstone are used in jewelry, ornaments and some people believe that certain gemstones cure diseases and have good effects on health and keep away evil spirits.
Gemology is the study of gemstones, which includes gem properties, locations, and how and when they were formed. Gemology is often studied by people in the jewelry business, including business owners, buyers, designers, and appraisers. Others studying gemology include antique dealers and auction house catalogers. People in these jobs need to be able to identify gems and gemstones and describe their attributes.
Birthstones are special stones associated with each month of the year. They have a place in history, mythology and science. Below is each months gemstones, there meaning and a little bit of history about them.
January-Garnet
Garnet is the birthstone for January it signifies eternal friendship and trust.Garnet comes from the word granatum which means seed. It is called this because of the gem resemblance to a pomegranate seed. References to the gemstone dates back to 3100BC, when Egyptians used garnet in jewelry. Most sources of garnet come from Africa, Sri Lanka and India.
February- Amethyst
Amethyst is believed by ancient Greeks and Romans to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus, a Roman God. It is also said that the person who wears the Amethyst clear headed and quick witted.Throughout history this gemstone has been associated with many myths, legends, religions and numerous cultures. Amethyst is a purple quartz and can be found almost anywhere in the world.
March- Aquamarine
The name aquamarine comes from the Latin word aqua, meaning water, and marina, meaning the sea. This gemstone was believed to protect sailors, and guarantee them a safe voyage. The color of aquamarine is said to cool the temper, allowing the wearer to remain calm and levelheaded. This gemstone is mined mainly in Brazil, but also is found in Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan, and Mozambique.
April-Diamond
As the April birthstone, diamonds are a common gift to family. Diamonds come in many different colors some of these are yellow, red, pink, blue, and green. They range in intensity from faint to vivid and generally the more saturated the color, the higher the value. In fact, diamonds sparkling with intense color are rare and may be priced higher than a colorless diamond of equal size.
May-Emerald
As the birthstone for May, the emerald, a symbol of rebirth, is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune, and youth. Emerald, comes from the word smaragdus, meaning green in Greek, was mined in Egypt as early as 330 B.C. Today, most of the world’s emeralds are mined in Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan, and Zambia.
June- Pearl Moonstone and Alexandrite
Historically, pearls have been used as an adornments for centuries. They were one of the favorite gem materials of the Roman Empire; later in Tudor England, the 1500s were known as the pearl age. Pearls are unique as they are the only gems from living sea creatures.
It was given its name by a Roman, who wrote that moonstone's appearance altered with the phases of the moon — a belief that held until well after the sixteenth century. A phenomenal gemstone, moonstones show a floating play of light (called adularescence) and sometimes show either a multi-rayed star or a cat's eye.
A relatively modern gem, Alexandrite, was first discovered in Russia in 1831 during the reign, Czar Alexander II, and is an extremely rare gem with chameleon-like qualities. Its color is a lovely green in both daylight and fluorescent light; it changes color to a purplish red in incandescent light.
July- RubyRubies arouse the senses, stir the imagination, and are said to guarantee health, wisdom, wealth and success in love. It is harder than any natural gemstone except diamond, which means a ruby is durable enough for everyday wear. Fine-quality ruby is extremely rare, and the color of the gem is most important to its value. The most prized color is a medium or medium dark vivid red or slightly purplish red. If the gem is too light or has too much purple or orange, it will be called a fancy-color sapphire.
August-Peridot
Peridot is said to have magical powers and healing properties to protect against nightmares and to bring the owner power, influence, and a wonderful year. As peridot is a gemstone that forms deep inside the Earth and brought to the surface by volcanoes, in Hawaii, peridot symbolizes the tears of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes. Today, most of the peridot supply comes from Arizona; other sources are China, Myanmar, and Pakistan. This gemstone comes in several color variations ranging from yellowish green to brown, but most buyers are attracted to the bright lime greens and olive greens. Peridot, in smaller sizes, often is used in beaded necklaces and bracelets.
September-Sapphire
Sapphire, the September birthstone, has been popular since the Middle Ages and, according to folklore, will protect your loved ones from envy and harm. Medieval royalty wore sapphires to symbolize heaven, while commoners thought the gem attracted heavenly blessings. Blue sapphires range from very light to very dark greenish or violetish blue, as well as various shades of pure blue. The most prized colors are a medium to medium dark blue or slightly violetish blue.
October- Tourmaline and Opal
Tourmaline is known for displaying several colors in the same gemstone. These bi-color or tri-color gems are formed in many combinations; gemstones with clear color distinctions are highly prized. One multi-color variety is known as watermelon tourmaline, and features green, pink, and white colors bands; to resemble its namesake, the gemstone is cut into thin slices having a pink center, white ring, and green edge. Tourmaline is found in many localities including Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa, and the USA.
The name opal derives from the Greek Opallos, meaning "to see a change (of color)." Opals range in color from milky white to black with flashes of yellow, orange, green, red, and blue. An opal's beauty is the product of contrast between its color play and its background. Opal is a formation of non-crystalline silica gel that seeped into crevices in the sedimentary strata. Through time and nature's heating and molding processes, the gel hardened into the form of opals.
November- Topaz and Citrine
Topaz is a gemstone available in a rich rainbow of colors. Prized for several thousand years , all yellow gems in antiques were called topaz. Often confused with citrine quartz (yellow) and smoky quartz (brown), quartz and topaz are separate and unrelated mineral species. The most prized color of topaz is called Imperial topaz after the Russian Czars of the 1800s and features a magnificent orange body color with pinkish undertones. Topaz also comes in yellow, pink, purple, orange, and many blue tones.
Citrine, the other birthstone for November is known as the "healing quartz". This golden gemstone is said to support vitality and health while encouraging and guiding hope, energy and warmth within the wearer. Citrine can be found in a variety of shades ranging from pastel yellow to dark brownish orange. It is one of the most affordable of gemstones and plentiful in nature. Citrine is found most frequently in Brazil, Bolivia, and Spain.
December- Tanzanite, Zircon and Turquoise
Discovered in the late 1960s in Tanzania, and found exclusively in this tiny area of the world, tanzanite exhibits a rich violet-blue color for which the gemstone is treasured; often it is heat-treated to achieve this color. Colors range from blue to purple, and tanzanites that are medium dark in tone, and slightly violet blue.
The word Zircon comes from the Arabic words zar and gun, meaning gold and color, zircon is found in a wide range of colors such as: blue, yellow, orange, brown, green, colorless, and red (the most prized color). For many years colorless zircon was used to imitate diamonds. Folk wisdom grants zircon the power to relieve pain, whet the appetite, protect travelers from disease and injury, to ensure a warm welcome, and to prevent nightmares guaranteeing a deep, tranquil sleep. Major sources of zircon are the Chanthaburi area of Thailand, the Palin area of Cambodia, and the southern part of Vietnam.
The name turquoise, from the French expression Pierre tourques or Turkish stone, originated in the thirteenth century and describes one of the oldest known gemstones. Turquoise varies in color from greenish blue, through robin's egg-blue, to sky blue shades and its transparency ranges from translucent to opaque. Turquoise is plentiful and is available in a wide range of sizes. It is most often used for beads, cabochons, carvings, and inlays.