RockHound as a Teaching Tool - Incorporating new technologies in the classroom and field labs can provide an exciting and unique experience for the student. A curriculum composed of exciting, but easy to understand concepts can convince students that science is dynamic and challenging, and change students who considered themselves non-scientists into geology majors. Rocks and minerals exhibit a limited array of diagnostic properties that can be applied in the field for identification and interpretation (these include hardness, streak, crystal habit, color, acid response, associate etc). A broader array of characteristics (spectral, optical and chemical) can be applied in the laboratory. But most technologically advanced methods require complex equipment, special materials, consumables, and controlled laboratory environments. Such methods are time consuming and expensive. The best techniques are those that are simple and equally effective in both laboratory and field situations.

The RockHound is used in laboratory and field environments and it makes mineral identification fun for teaching students the fundamentals of spectroscopy and mineral identification. The RockHound is a handheld, portable analyzer that may be used in the laboratory and the field. It allows instructors and students to use Raman spectral signatures for characterizing minerals in classroom and field exercises. A digital library of Raman curves assists in identifying minerals in outcrops and hand specimens. New mineral curves may be appended to the library to further expand the capability of the tool. For laboratory applications, a digital microscope (NuScope) is attached for fine laser positioning and focusing to identify discrete minerals within a heterogeneous rock sample. An image of the specimen can be captured on the screen for future identification. See our application note for more information on the RockHound.

RockHound for the industrial geologist - The RockHound is used by the industrial geologist to identify rock and minerals for oil, gas and mineral exploration. Specimens may be analyzed from outcrops, drill cuttings or core samples. Onsite mineral mapping allows the geologist to rapidly characterize broad areas of coverage for top sediment applications. Further compositional analysis on overburdened sediments while drilling for prospects allows the geologist to identify intersecting mineral deposits such as pay zones or engineering related targets. This will help the geologist determine unfavorable horizons that don’t require further investigation.

RockHound for the Mineral and Gem collector - The qualities sought in gems are beauty, rarity, and durability. Unfortunately, many gems look alike and artificial and imitation gems of various kinds cannot be distinguished by the human eye. Synthetic stones are made in the laboratory of the same chemical elements as natural stones. Among the synthetic gems produced commercially are rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and spinels. Diamonds of gem quality have also been manufactured. Imitation pearls are glass or plastic beads coated with a preparation made from fish scales. Many imitation or false gemstones are identified by their optical properties, which impart luster, fire and color. The physical properties by which gems are distinguished from each other are the crystal, index of refraction of light, hardness, presence or absence of cleavage, type of fracture (conchoidal, even, or uneven) in stones without cleavage, specific gravity, color, streak (color of the powder as determined by rubbing it over white, unglazed porcelain), luster (appearance of the surface in reflected light—adamantine, vitreous, resinous, greasy, silky, or pearly), and transparency. Minor properties that serve to identify some stones are chatoyancy (changeable luster or color under undulating light), opalescence, asterism (star-like sparkling), play of color, fluorescence, phosphorescence, iridescence, and electrical properties. Many of these methods are practiced by experts, but some gems are still very difficult to distinguish. A handheld tool that can immediately identify the sample is of great value to the collector, and in particular for very rare specimens.

The RockHound is ideal for authenticating precious and collectable minerals, gemstones, opals and diamonds. This portable handheld unit is ideal for collectors because it can be taken to the field, clearance houses or exhibitions and specimens may be analyzed in only a few seconds. Library development software allows users to append very rare minerals into the database that have been authenticated with other methods.

RockHound for the Archeologist - The Rockhound can be used to determine the source of materials in antiquities. One of the motives for identifying the composition of historical artifacts is that certain minerals, clays and dyes may indicate the location or period at which the specimen was fabricated. Further, identification of shards from ceramics is of great help in classification. And, the identification of each specimen is important in restoration or conservation treatment. The advantage of the RockHound over other Raman spectrometers is portability. One of the main objectives of an archeological excavation is to collect the maximum amount of information possible without removing or damaging the specimens. At times it may be difficult to distinguish between natural and cultural deposits, and a handheld identification tool can be used to immediately identify man-made specimens. Strata may change abruptly in an excavation, and the RockHound can be used to identify rapid changes in stratigraphy. Samples obtained from shipwrecks can be immediately analyzed topside, and the portability of the RockHound allows investigators to carry this device on offshore excavations.

Analysis time is also paramount, The RockHound can immediately identify and classify objects at the site prior to collecting and bagging specimens for further analysis at the lab. This technique allows the archeologist to collect information from the specimen before other preservation and collection methods are applied to the specimen. At times, the identification of the number of shards is enormous, and a rapid identification technique can be used to quickly classify each specimen. Raman spectra are collected in just a few seconds using the RockHound.

And lastly, the RockHound is very light (weighs less than 5 lbs) and handheld. This allows the user to maneuver the device in several orientations for larger or compacted specimens. Data is obtained while keeping the artifact intact.