Hematite

Fe2O3 Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin,

and Canada found in volcanic rock and veins forms near water to form

"blueberries" like those found on mars

Hematite

Hematite “Blueberries”

Mars “Blueberries”

Earth “Blueberries”

Garnet

Si,O combined with Ca, Mg, Fe, and Al

Sri Lanka, South Africa, Virginia, California, and Brazil

Igneous and metamorphic rock. sometimes found in altered rock and metamorphasized limestone

Closely related to silicate minerals and often misclassified as a gem. Precious garnet is often found near diamonds in the "blue earth"

Garnet

Magnetite

Fe3O4 Colorado basic igneous, metamorphic and

sedimentary rock Only black ore that can easily be

picked up by a magnet

Magnetite

Potassium Feldspar

All are aluminum silicates (Al,Si) formed with K, Na, or Ca

North Carolina found in almost all igneous rocks

and rocks created from them Feldspars are the most abundant

minerals in the world, making up 60% of the Earth's crust. they are used mostly for ceramic glazes, flux enamels, and binders

Potassium Feldspar

Silver

Ag (natural element) is often found in long, twisted, branched clumps and in Ag2S compounds

Western US Natural Element Often a valuable bi-product of

lead, zinc, and other metal smelting

Silver

Copper

Cu (natural element) is most often  found as a compound then smelted from its ores (CuS, CuFeS, CuO, CuAl, Cu2Co3(OH)2)

Chile, Peru, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Russia, and Australia. In the US, the southwest is most abundant

Natural element found most commonly in and near the veins of volcanic rocks. Some compounds can be formed by oxidation of  the Cu.

Electrically conductive-often used for electricity.

Copper

Gold

Au (natural element)

Mostly found in South Africa but some is mined in South Dakota and Nevada (western US)

Natural element found in quartz veins, sometimes found with pyrite. Can also be found in metamorphic rocks and as deposits in sedimentary rocks

Very soft-often alloyed with Cu to make it harder and spread it further in jewelry

Gold

Project

Grow crystals using “space growth kit”

When crystals are formed, create a piece of wire jewelry to complement your stones

Hypothesize which elements created your gems, and what gems they may be

Discuss hypothesis and results with the class