Sam Lagor, MSc
Geologist
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Co-authored Articles (18)
How to
Find Geodes
Geodes may look like unexciting rocks on the surface, but hunting them down is worth it once you split one open to see the magical display that's inside. Whether you're going on a hiking trip or spending a day at the riv...
7 Ways to Tell if Clear Quartz Is Real or Fake
Clear quartz can help you focus and clear your mind, but how can you tell if your crystal is the real deal? Unfortunately, there are many crystal scams out there, and some people may claim they’re selling you clear qua...
How to
Identify Gold in Quartz
Real gold is a very rare and valuable metal. Because it's so rare, finding large pieces of gold in nature is unusual. However, you might be able to find smaller pieces of gold inside of rocks like quartz! If you have a p...
How to
Engrave Stone
Learning to engrave stones provides you with a way to create decorative, artistic pieces that will last a lifetime from material you can find just about anywhere. While the material itself is very hard, engraving doesn't...
How to
Crack Open a Geode
If you've discovered a geode (a rounded rock formation with crystals or banding inside), you'll want to crack it open as safely and neatly as possible. Every geode is unique, and could hold anything from clear, pure quar...
How to
Tell if a Crystal Is Real
You sense that a crystal in your collection isn’t working very well and you suspect it might be fake, but how can you tell? There are a lot of signs to look for, from the crystal shop itself to the way it feels in your...
How to
Identify Agate
Agate, a variety of chalcedony, is a popular gemstone due to the characteristic bands that form inside of the stone and come in many colors, from deep reds and soft pinks to brilliant greens, deep blues, and everything i...
How to
Tell if the Rock You Found Might Be a Meteorite
If you’ve come across a rock that looks positively out-of-this-world, there’s a possibility it may be a meteorite. Although meteorites are relatively rare on Earth, they’re not impossible to find in the wild. Howev...
How to
Break Big Rocks
Rocks are infamously durable and can be an eyesore in a garden, in a landscaping project or it may just be in the way. The problem usually is that the rock is too heavily embedded or it's simply too heavy to lift or roll...
How to Tell If a Rock Is Kimberlite
Learn how to recognize kimberlite so you can search for diamondsKimberlite can be easy to identify if you know just what to look for. Kimberlite deposits are highly sought by geologists, miners, and rock hunters because ...
How to
Identify Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a type of mineral (a crystalline boron silicate, to be exact) formed by intense hydrothermal activity. Because it can be composed of so many different elements, tourmaline occurs in a wider variety of color...
How to
Identify Igneous Rocks
When you hold an igneous rock, the rock you hold in your hand is one of the oldest things in the world. Igneous rocks are formed from lava, magma or ash from a volcanic eruption or flow By becoming familiar with their d...
How to
Clean Geodes
A geode is a rock that contains crystals in a hollow cavity. When geodes are split open, you can see the crystals inside the rock. If you found a geode, you'll need to clean it so it shines. Cleaning a geode is easy can ...
Rock or Artifact? A Guide to Ancient Stone Tool Identification
Spot the difference between Stone Age objects and regular rocks Have you found a rock that looks a little too sharp to be just any old stone? Well, it might not be! Our world is covered with rocks that date back million...
How to
Polish Pyrite Crystals
How to
Identify Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic rocks are formed through immense pressure and heat below the surface of the earth. Many rocks used in architecture and design are metamorphic, like slate and marble. Determining whether a rock is metamorphic,...
How to
Test Hardness of a Mineral
If you want to identify a mineral, a hardness test can give you valuable information. You'll probably need to do a scratch test to in order to find what minerals are harder than your sample. Then, you can refer to the Mo...
A Beginner's Guide to Hag Stones & Their Spiritual Significance
Discover the folklore behind these magical holey stones A hag stone is any rock or mineral that has a natural hole in its center. Mainly based in British folklore, these stones are believed to have magical abilities that...
