Garnet comes in a variety of colors & shapes - this specimen is a deep red color. Garnet forms under intense heat and pressure conditions, making it a common mineral in mountainous terranes Ideal for identification & classification exercises. Great for lessons in metamorphic facies & silicate…

This foliated metamorphic rock usually forms at convergent plate boundaries, and recrystallizes with immense heat and pressure Excellent for students learning about differential stresses and foliation in metamorphic rocks. This set of twelve samples is excellent for group study and examination …

12 rock gypsum specimens approximately 1" (3cm) in length Formed from the lithification of sulfate evaporate deposits Perfect size for use in classroom identification labs and exercises, corresponding well with Next Generation Science Standards evidence statements Useful for rock/mineral…

The large clasts in conglomerate indicate that the pieces of rock underwent a large amount of rolling, bouncing, and other weathering to become round. This implies deposition in a river far from the source of the clasts Ideal for teaching students about rounding and sorting, as well as for…

Scoria forms as spatter from bubbly, mafic lava is thrown into the air and cooled quickly. The crystallization happens so quickly that large air pockets are trapped within the rock, often giving samples a jagged, sharp appearance A good example of pyroclastic material. Can be used in a variety of…

Pack of 12 Diorite samples approximately 1" (3cm) in size Presence of both mafic and felsic minerals make diorite a perfect example of intermediate igneous chemistry Perfect size for use in classroom identification labs and exercises, correlates well to Next Generation Science Standards Evidence…

Pack of 12 Oligoclase samples approximately 1" (3cm) in size Standard hardness of 6, exhibits two planes of cleavage Perfect size for use in classroom identification labs and exercises, correlates well to Next Generation Science Standards Evidence Statements Feldspar with high levels of sodium …

Pack of 12 Corundum samples approximately 1" (3cm) in size Great for studying mineral hardness and crystal habit - only diamond is harder! Perfect size for use in classroom identification labs and exercises, correlates well to Next Generation Science Standards Evidence Statements Ideal for…

A fun introduction to the world of geology through igneous rocks! Igneous rocks are formed when magma or lava cools and solidifies. Each Tech Cut specimen is selected and hand processed, ensuring each sample exhibits defining features. Set includes twelve different igneous rocks - Quartz Point,…

Rhyolite is an aphanitic felsic rock which forms during eruptions of thick, viscous magma. Often containing phenocrysts of felsic minerals with only slightly higher crystallization temperatures than the feldspar and quartz that forms rhyolite Ideal for identification & classification exercises.…

Pyrite forms as hot water flows through fractures in subsurface rock. This deposition method allows pyrite to replace other minerals or fossils through pyritization. Also known as Fool's Gold, this brassy, metallic mineral is often mistaken for gold Excellent for exercises in identification and…

Pack of 12 Arkose samples approximately 1" (3cm) in size Small, angular grains indicate deposition in an ephemeral river system near to the clast source Perfect size for use in classroom identification labs and exercises, correlates well to Next Generation Science Standards Evidence Statements …

Obsidian, also known as volcanic glass, forms from lava that cools almost immediately upon eruption, usually into water Obsidian shares many physical properties with its major chemical component, quartz, despite looking dissimilar - great for classification exercises. This set of twelve samples is…

Pack of 12 Argillaceous shale samples approximately 1" (3cm) in size Small clast size indicates deposition in a low-energy environment such as a shallow lake or slow-moving river Perfect size for use in classroom identification labs and exercises, correlates well to Next Generation Science…

This rock formed at the bottom of a marine environment through the compaction of deceased organic matter in a clay or silt cement Ideal for identification & classification exercises, for studying fossils within whole rocks and sedimentary rocks. This set of six samples is excellent for group study…

When clay- and aluminum-rich rock is altered by water from geothermal systems, serpentinite is liable to form. Often found in low-grade metamorphic areas, serpentinite is composed of hydrated silicate minerals, particularly phyllosilicates Ideal for identification & classification exercises.…

Pack of 12 Pegmatite samples approximately 1" (3cm) in size Igneous rock containing a large variety of crystal sizes Perfect size for use in classroom identification labs and exercises, correlates well to Next Generation Science Standards Evidence Statements Pegmatite indicates two different…

Sandstone is made up of well-sorted and well-rounded grains of quartz. This indicates that the clasts in the rocks have traveled a long distance from their source and were heavily eroded along the way. This sample is red due to the inclusion of iron in the chemical structure of the rock. This…

Pack of 12 Coquina samples approximately 1" (3cm) in size Mass of fossilized animal material Perfect size for use in classroom identification labs and exercises, correlates well to Next Generation Science Standards Evidence Statements Individual fossils can be studied and identified within the…

Commonly found as magmatic intrusions in the crust, granite forms slowly in shallow or evolved magma chambers. The large crystals are indicative of a slow cooling rate, and make mineral identification simple Ideal for identification & classification exercises. This classic igneous rock is a…

Anthracite coal is bright and reflective, indicative of the intense heat and pressure required to form it. Anthracite coal often has a favorable purity ratio, containing mostly organic material and relatively few impurities Ideal for identification & classification exercises. Allows students can…

Basalt makes up a large majority of the earth's oceanic crust. Formed quickly from a magma that is rich in iron, basalt exhibits a dark color and small crystal size The perfect example of an aphanitic igneous rock. Useful for lessons in igneous rock classification and identification. This set of…

Concrete is a versatile and widely-used construction material composed of a mixture of cement, water, aggregates (such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone), and sometimes additives or admixtures. Its exceptional strength and durability make it a preferred choice for a variety of construction…

Peridotite is an iron-rich ultramafic rock, with a chemistry that suggests genesis from a point deep within the crust, possibly as deep as the mantle. The large crystals indicate slow cooling within a magma chamber Ideal for identification & classification exercises. This fascinating sample is…

Pack of 12 Quartzite samples approximately 1" (3cm) in size The further compaction of sandstone's sturdy silicate framework makes quartzite one of the most durable rocks on the planet Perfect size for use in classroom identification labs and exercises, correlates well to Next Generation Science…

Augite is a common rock-forming pyroxene mineral that forms as magma is cooling. It is an imperative sample for lessons on Bowen's reaction series Augite's perpendicular planes of cleavages make it an excellent tool for studying 2-plane, 90° cleavage Each specimen is selected and hand…

Pack of 12 Chlorite samples approximately 1" (3cm) in size Platy metamorphic mineral with a soapy feel Perfect size for use in classroom identification labs and exercises, correlates well to Next Generation Science Standards Evidence Statements Forms when hot water alters the chemistry of an…

Quartzite is formed from sandstone that has been tightly compressed to the point where the clasts have recrystallized to form a new rock. This formation mechanism, coupled the inherent strength of quartz, makes quartzite a very durable rock. Useful in the classroom for lessons on metamorphic…

Pack of 12 Dolostone samples approximately 1" (3cm) in size Raw carbonate rock deposited and lithified out of solution Perfect size for use in classroom identification labs and exercises, correlates well to Next Generation Science Standards Evidence Statements Often used as an ingredient in…

Dust & ash deposited during explosive volcanic eruptions can become compacted and lithified over time, forming large packages of tuff. These layers show a record of the eruptions size & intensity, and allow geologists to estimate the rate of activity Ideal for identification & classification…

The large, angular clasts in breccia make it possible to confidently ascertain the depositional history of the rock Ideal for identification & classification exercises. This contrasts well with conglomerate, a very similar rock with clasts that have traveled a long ways from their provenance. This…

Found within igneous and metamorphic rocks. Biotite mica's sheet like appearance and glassy luster make this mineral easy to identify Mica's thin and layered structure is perfect for demonstrating variable hardness and cleavage, physical properties of minerals, as well as Bowen's reaction series.…