Rocks & Minerals B/C

[syo_astro]

For you JuiceBagel, I may be new to the event, but actually color can be useful...generally I just have been practicing with my partner, and surprisingly I feel like just the general shape, weight, and color gives a hint right away. But yeah, I guess others who have more practice may know better.

On another question, does anyone have any good ways to tell apatite and topaz apart?

[eox]

For you JuiceBagel, I may be new to the event, but actually color can be useful...generally I just have been practicing with my partner, and surprisingly I feel like just the general shape, weight, and color gives a hint right away. But yeah, I guess others who have more practice may know better.

On another question, does anyone have any good ways to tell apatite and topaz apart?

as ironic as it is, color
topaz is usually yellow, amber, orange. apatite is green/blue
also, topaz usually levels off at the tip. i usually see apatite retain its tip and/or have no tip at all.
i always use color though T.T kill me LOL

[JuiceBagel3]

@syo_astro I totally agree. What makes me nervous is just the sheer variety within some of the minerals. I guess experience is the tell between those common minerals.

Edit: Also I was wondering what the numbers like this, {0001} etc..., mean with cleavage. Example:
Augite
Cleavage: Distinct/Good
Good on {110}

I've been searching high and low for what those numbers mean! Thank you guys!

[darkdeserthighway]

I don't have a partner for regionals, any suggestions for binder content and organization? Thanks in advance

[Skink]

Edit: Also I was wondering what the numbers like this, {0001} etc..., mean with cleavage. Example:
Augite
Cleavage: Distinct/Good
Good on {110}

I've been searching high and low for what those numbers mean! Thank you guys!

I think they're Miller indices. Lord help you. If you really want an explanation, I could try...

I don't have a partner for regionals, any suggestions for binder content and organization? Thanks in advance

First and foremost, if you have a full team, I'd find a partner. These events are designed for pairs. And since this event allows your binder along with a published resource, it really is to your benefit to have one resource per person for efficiency.

Re: binder content, my approach (and there are probably many variations of this among the other frequenters of the board) is to have note pages dedicated to topics that you usually find in the front of field guides like classes, crystal systems, Bowen's, Moh's and so forth. Ideally, these are resources you made yourself. You could print off an encyclopedia's volume of material off the Internet, but I don't believe that is as useful for you unless you are really organized. I mean, who reads all of that while under a time constraint?
After that, I would type up a page of information for every testable sample on the Official List synthesizing whatever resources you have, both print and electronic. No single resource is complete and organized for the event at the same time, so making your own note pages is the best approach (plus, you learn a ton as you do it)! Include pictures of variations, and, if it helps you, include pictures of visually similar specimens to help you avoid thinking 'Well, it looks like sulfur, but it isn't...what were the other yellow ones?' I order mine in the order of the Official List. And then all the small things I won't spoonfeed you...

[darkdeserthighway]

Edit: Also I was wondering what the numbers like this, {0001} etc..., mean with cleavage. Example:
Augite
Cleavage: Distinct/Good
Good on {110}

I've been searching high and low for what those numbers mean! Thank you guys!

I think they're Miller indices. Lord help you. If you really want an explanation, I could try...

I don't have a partner for regionals, any suggestions for binder content and organization? Thanks in advance

First and foremost, if you have a full team, I'd find a partner. These events are designed for pairs. And since this event allows your binder along with a published resource, it really is to your benefit to have one resource per person for efficiency.

Re: binder content, my approach (and there are probably many variations of this among the other frequenters of the board) is to have note pages dedicated to topics that you usually find in the front of field guides like classes, crystal systems, Bowen's, Moh's and so forth. Ideally, these are resources you made yourself. You could print off an encyclopedia's volume of material off the Internet, but I don't believe that is as useful for you unless you are really organized. I mean, who reads all of that while under a time constraint?
After that, I would type up a page of information for every testable sample on the Official List synthesizing whatever resources you have, both print and electronic. No single resource is complete and organized for the event at the same time, so making your own note pages is the best approach (plus, you learn a ton as you do it)! Include pictures of variations, and, if it helps you, include pictures of visually similar specimens to help you avoid thinking 'Well, it looks like sulfur, but it isn't...what were the other yellow ones?' I order mine in the order of the Official List. And then all the small things I won't spoonfeed you...

Okay, I'll try to find a partner, thanks skink!

[JuiceBagel3]

I think they're Miller indices. Lord help you. If you really want an explanation, I could try...

You know, I think I'm going to pass. Hahaha thank you though!

[darkdeserthighway]

Hi, I was wondering about what type of rotation this event is on. (2 year, 3 year, etc.)

[Paleofreakazoid]

I believe it is a three year rotation with Fossils. Of course, things could always change.

[darkdeserthighway]

Okay, thank you