Scioly.org

They usually give you really cheap specimens that almost always look like this:

Or this:

I'm a violinist, so I think it looks like if you took a hammer to a piece of dark rosin. Of course, quality invites or picture based tests may give you better specimens/pictures, in which case the tetrahedral crystals will be a big giveaway. It's almost always dark brown, with the metallic luster increasing as the iron content increases, but sometimes it's not. For me, it's just gut intuition.

I don't really understand this diagram, can someone explain it? The only part I get is that it's the classification of feldspar minerals.

can't see image but I think I know what diagram you're referring to, I think you're talking about the one showing the plagioclase and alkali feldspar solid solution series right?

fabishkf wrote:can't see image but I think I know what diagram you're referring to, I think you're talking about the one showing the plagioclase and alkali feldspar solid solution series right?

Yeah sorry idk why the image isn't showing up, I put the img tag, but it is the one from geology.com

This is my first time going to State. I am studying rocks and my partner is studying the minerals. What should I concentrate in knowing about the rocks? Properties (color, texture, characteristics), classification, environment of formation, extrusive/intrusive, type of rock, parent rock?, uses.

Anything I'm forgetting? I read on other posts that I shouldn't worry about hardness or specific gravity? There was one question on specific gravity on the regionals but it was a calculation question.

What about specific definitions? or charts like the rock cycle or Bowie's reaction series chart?

Thanks!!
Bob

mynameisbob wrote:This is my first time going to State. I am studying rocks and my partner is studying the minerals. What should I concentrate in knowing about the rocks? Properties (color, texture, characteristics), classification, environment of formation, extrusive/intrusive, type of rock, parent rock?, uses.

Anything I'm forgetting? I read on other posts that I shouldn't worry about hardness or specific gravity? There was one question on specific gravity on the regionals but it was a calculation question.

What about specific definitions? or charts like the rock cycle or Bowie's reaction series chart?

Thanks!!
Bob

Are you referring to David Bowie's Reaction Series from The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust album, or the N.L. Bowen Reaction Series?

mynameisbob wrote:This is my first time going to State. I am studying rocks and my partner is studying the minerals. What should I concentrate in knowing about the rocks? Properties (color, texture, characteristics), classification, environment of formation, extrusive/intrusive, type of rock, parent rock?, uses.

Anything I'm forgetting? I read on other posts that I shouldn't worry about hardness or specific gravity? There was one question on specific gravity on the regionals but it was a calculation question.

What about specific definitions? or charts like the rock cycle or Bowie's reaction series chart?

Thanks!!
Bob

For rocks specifically, make sure you know the charts from the Earth Science Reference Table. They are extremely helpful during tests. Try to add a glossary to your binder of terms you may not know, just in case they come up. Other charts are good too, especially Bowen's Reaction Series. Also, when identifying metamorphic rocks, make sure you have the grade of metamorphism.

I agree with Kate, I got first place regionals following her advice. I'm quite an experienced Rocks and Minerals competitor.

wzhang5460 wrote:I agree with Kate, I got first place regionals following her advice. I'm quite an experienced Rocks and Minerals competitor.

PSA: This guy did not ask for my advice, nor has he competed in Rocks and Minerals more than once. He was a stand-in at regionals and got a free medal. Check his signature.

kate! wrote:

wzhang5460 wrote:I agree with Kate, I got first place regionals following her advice. I'm quite an experienced Rocks and Minerals competitor.

PSA: This guy did not ask for my advice, nor has he competed in Rocks and Minerals more than once. He was a stand-in at regionals and got a free medal. Check his signature.

Ah, but did this guy carry, or was he carried?