The Ultimate Guide to Identifying Minerals (Masterclass)

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  • Опубликовано: 1 янв 2025
  • Recognizing minerals is a valuable skill that can help you find valuable gems and crystals - some of which are hiding in plain sight. You will be miles ahead as a prospector, because you can recognize indicator minerals and rocks.
    This video is sponsored by High Plains Prospecting, a mail order prospecting supply shop that I am partnering with. See: highplainspros...
    My discount code for you to get 5% off at High Plains Prospecting is CHRISRALPH
    Because I get so many folks who want me to try to identify their rocks and minerals, I have developed this mineral Identification Masterclass. Its complete and will teach the the necessary information to help you recognize those rare and valuable minerals, ores, crystals and specimens.
    For those who want to learn more about Prospecting and finding gold check out my book, Fists full of Gold. It’s an encyclopedia of everything on the topic of prospecting. It’s available from High Plains Prospectors. (Affiliate) You can find it at:
    highplainspros...
    High Plains Prospectors - Prospecting Equipment and Supplies
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    Classic Simple Gold Pan
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    Minelab Gold Monster 1000
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Комментарии •

  • @Integrationist
    @Integrationist Месяц назад +2

    Thank you for this valuable information!

  • @Val-fi9hg
    @Val-fi9hg 2 месяца назад +3

    Thank you so much for all the time and preparation that you put into your presentations. I go to a monthly mineral class in Kingman, AZ led by a DANA expert and also a geologist. It has been very helpful to see their vast mineral collections and to have them share their many years of experience. This video helped to pull together more pieces of the puzzle (a puzzle that I will be playing with the rest of my life).

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 месяца назад

      Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed it.

  • @RectalRooter
    @RectalRooter Месяц назад +2

    It always gives me a Tingley feeling when I find something that educates me. It's a welcome reprieve from searching through the thousands of fake drama, exaggerated and capslock titles begging for attention.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Месяц назад +1

      I wish there were more folks like you!

    • @mw...
      @mw... 11 дней назад

      Yes. This is very valuable. Thank you

  • @brettoberry3586
    @brettoberry3586 2 месяца назад +4

    I found an Amethyst a few weeks ago looking for gold. The bright purple in midday sun was a good giveaway.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 месяца назад

      Sounds like a good find.

  • @hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542
    @hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542 2 месяца назад +7

    The biggest problem I run into, in the field, is that those pristine gem quality samples shown in many rock and mineral identification books and charts look absolutely nothing like the minerals as they appear most commonly in nature.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 месяца назад +5

      That is part of why just a picture is not good for identifying minerals.

  • @jamesdouglaswhite
    @jamesdouglaswhite 2 месяца назад +4

    One of your images of galena says it is from the Sierra Gordo mine, which is the mine a fellow you-tuber owns. I would like to know more about tellurides and the other sulfides that occur with gold, have you covered them in more detail elsewhere? Do all of the calcite minerals glow under blacklight? Are there many other minerals that glow under blacklight? I understand that some radioactive minerals here in Texas can actually glow for a short time when exposed to air. Are there many minerals that are radioactive? Are they dangerous to be exposed to? Thanks for writing your book, it has been very helpful in my weekend efforts. I have found some small flakes in the Llano/Marble Falls area in Texas, but I am heading new adventures towards New Mexico to find better exposures since I live in Lubbock TX.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 месяца назад +2

      You should really go though my catalog of older videos, I think a bunch of them would interest you.
      My video on Tellurides: ruclips.net/video/co1-UExjduc/видео.html
      My video on how to ID minerals with Ultraviolet light: ruclips.net/video/I3Lh-uC6DGM/видео.html
      My video on Uranium and radioactive minerals: ruclips.net/video/qnYeUPl05ZI/видео.html

  • @patchrat1
    @patchrat1 Месяц назад +1

    Thanks Professor Chris that was a very good lesson

  • @SuperGuy250
    @SuperGuy250 2 месяца назад +1

    always good when you post

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Месяц назад

      I appreciate that. Glad you enjoy it!

  • @johnadkisson5823
    @johnadkisson5823 2 месяца назад +2

    Watching as we speak! Keep it up man, as always pertinent information, and no bs

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 месяца назад

      Much appreciated, Glad you are enjoying it

  • @NIghthorseGrows
    @NIghthorseGrows 2 дня назад

    Thank you for this information. I grew up hiking, mine hunting, and gold panning rivers in western Washington. I moved east when I had kids almost 6 years ago. Now im 35 and my 5 year old, she loves gemstones and rocks. And loves gathering and collecting. So im doing my darndest to learn as much as I can so her and i can do some hounding together as she gets older and we hike. I live smack in the middle of Idaho/washington gold country.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 дня назад

      It's great that you're getting your daughter into the hobby, it's a great way to bond with her and explore nature.

  • @garimpohobby
    @garimpohobby 2 месяца назад +1

    great teacher hi garimpohobby Brazil 💥

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 месяца назад

      Glad you enjoyed it.

  • @Mike_Greentea
    @Mike_Greentea 2 месяца назад +2

    Good stuff 👍

  • @hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542
    @hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542 2 месяца назад +1

    I've run into sand stone with various levels of speckling, and typically, there are a lot of iron staining, which is fine, but the one that I have the hardest time is when its inky black.
    Even though there is a lot of iron in my region, there is also zinc, and traces of other metals, but I can't know which it is by its color.
    Maybe I need to try washing it in acid and see if I get a measurable amount of any metallic salts which I can isolate, crystallize and then identify.
    I know that sometimes one can heat minerals and with a method known as 'light diffraction' one can see bandwidths of light known to be specific to certain metals and minerals.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 месяца назад

      Measuring the light emissions off a mineral requires very special equipment.

    • @hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542
      @hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542 2 месяца назад

      @@ChrisRalph 911 Metallurgist has a diagram and parts list for building one cheaply at home.

  • @mw...
    @mw... 11 дней назад

    Thank you for sharing this knowledge. We truly appreciate you

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  8 дней назад

      You are so welcome, thanks for subscribing.

  • @Smithsgold
    @Smithsgold 2 месяца назад +2

    I’m good with Leveright !! LOL

  • @tomaszcapenko1111
    @tomaszcapenko1111 27 дней назад

    Thank you, you know, it's worth having an expert's opinion, today I found it for the first time, it's magnetic and fluorescent, it's about 3 cm, best regards.

  • @kurtdavis7588
    @kurtdavis7588 Месяц назад +2

    I have 12.65 acres in the deep south. Anyway an overseas company is wanting to restart gold mining in the area. Ive found a nice nugget on my property myself. They had my property tested including other people's property. Results on my property are 14ppm at the highest and 4ppm on the Lowest. They offered me $31,000 a year for 10 years to mine. 8 years of mining and 2 of restoration and planting of trees. Is that a fair deal or should I ask for more?

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Месяц назад +2

      Normally you get a small percentage of the gross production, like 1 to 2 percent in addition to the payment. I would not sign without a percentage - all the deals I have with mining companies include a percentage.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Месяц назад +2

      Normally deals include a small percentage of the gross production from your property in addition to the payment. Its often from 1 to 3 percent. All of the deals I have with mining companies for my claims include a percentage. Even if you only get 1% it will likely be a lot more than $31,000 a year.

    • @kurtdavis7588
      @kurtdavis7588 Месяц назад +2

      Yes sir, the % is apart of the main deal. This is a separate deal because my residence is also on the property. This is a separate inconvenience type deal. They told me my home will lose a lot of value during mining and it will be inconvenient from the noise etc. Just trying to wrap my head around all this.

    • @absolute___zero
      @absolute___zero 15 дней назад

      No, sign the contract right now. As we are entering a severe economical depression these tiny ppm rating of your terrain will worth nothing as gold price will drop to sub-1000 level. Of course all market predictions are subjected to risk, but if I would be you I would sign immediately

    • @mw...
      @mw... 11 дней назад

      Yes. Wisdom. Sign a deal soon. Get a percentage also counter with your offer, they might take it good luck to you. I’m happy you have some success there.

  • @hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542
    @hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542 2 месяца назад +1

    I'd love to find tungstates!
    But that's a mineral never found in my district.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 месяца назад +2

      You can't find what isn't there!

  • @Smithsgold
    @Smithsgold Месяц назад +2

    Now that I’ve completed the course do I get a certificate ? LOL

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Месяц назад +2

      Yes, I'll give it to you the next time we are out prospecting together.

    • @Smithsgold
      @Smithsgold Месяц назад +2

      @@ChrisRalph Deal !!!!!!! LOL

    • @RectalRooter
      @RectalRooter Месяц назад +1

      lol Original and funny

  • @mw...
    @mw... 11 дней назад

    And i subscribed. This guy is awesome

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  8 дней назад

      Glad you enjoyed the content.

  • @PatriceTaylor-u4i
    @PatriceTaylor-u4i 2 месяца назад

    Thank you for your intensive exploration of minerals! Great show! What was the pink mineral combined with the manganese in the photo of the manganese examples? ❤

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 месяца назад

      Pink minerals with manganese are usually Rhondonite or sometimes Rhodochrosite.

  • @nelsonmatavu-uy1pm
    @nelsonmatavu-uy1pm 2 месяца назад +1

    Mr Chris what are dolomite?

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 месяца назад

      Dolomite is a rock related to limestone, but with both magnesium and calcium carbonates.

  • @AustinSimco-pc1qh
    @AustinSimco-pc1qh 24 дня назад

    Have you ever read Paul W. Klipsch's patents, the ones that aren't about speakers horns?

  • @justusbarger8956
    @justusbarger8956 Месяц назад

    So I have a question... I live In putnam county indiana, I had found this dark blue/gray rock with clear quartz crystal in and throughout it. I did find it within a bed of fill rock so it had to of been brought to where I found it. It's two separate pieces but most definitely same rock. They both have small spots with a few little things of gold on them but it's It's extremely spread out throughout the hole rock. I do 100% believe it's gold due to multiple test I've done. So first question is what potential specimen of rock would I have? I can't find anything that looks fairly close. Like kyanite dark blueish to grey maybe maybe. I have seen another quite like how mine is. That and I really do belive there formations are completely different but I honestly don't know. Would you have any guesses? Secondly is it still work trying to brake, grind, and pan it even though I know there's not a ton of gold in it? Like I know there's no big deposit hidden in it but it's full of just super small golden spots but I mean that seriously can't weigh a ton right? It's maybe a little bigger than a football altogether so nothing to crazy big but also nothing Uma just willingly want to carry around for fun. I've had it for over a year and have nothing to show for it with my research and major interest in it. Thank you!!!

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Месяц назад +2

      two broken pieces with tiny specs is not worth much. in fill gravel, it could have come from as far away as Canada.

    • @justusbarger8956
      @justusbarger8956 Месяц назад

      Also considering I live in indiana any thing you would suggest I keep an eye out for or anything to rock hounding area tip or comments are also greatly appreciated from you. I understand your from Nevada but just for the off chance you know anything about my state I'd love to hear. Maybe even make a video of areas and what they are rich in throughout the states would honestly be awesome. I think a lot of people would enjoy that and potentially other continents after that. Regardless thank you for the videos and help you have provided me throughout my year of learning. Your very interesting and informative and a huge shout out to you for that!

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Месяц назад +2

      You've seen my video on Midwest gold, right? That video shows where the glacial remains are and that is where the gold is.

  • @bernadettesalas4204
    @bernadettesalas4204 Месяц назад

    Hi Chris Ralph I had a question. What if there’s white rocks like quarts all over an area under all trees and all around? Is that an indication of gold in the area?

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Месяц назад

      Quartz is super common and the most common mineral on earth. But gold is rare. Quartz I with no gold is pretty common. Test for gold to see If gold is present.

  • @greedygringoprospecting6941
    @greedygringoprospecting6941 2 месяца назад +3

    teach them to identify leaverite (leave er right there). they wont bother you do much. 😂🤣😂🤣. have a good day

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 месяца назад +1

      No, because 99.99999% of everything is leaverite. Its the good stuff you want to recognize when you go past it.

    • @greedygringoprospecting6941
      @greedygringoprospecting6941 2 месяца назад

      @@ChrisRalph whoops (to). spelled it wrong. have a good day

  • @hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542
    @hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542 2 месяца назад

    At one time, my grandfather gave me a 37,000 karat emerald garnet set in quartz carbonate.
    My mother's second husband found it, stole it from me, and sold it for a whole lot of money, out of which I got nothing.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 месяца назад

      Not much of a guy to do that.

    • @hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542
      @hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542 2 месяца назад

      @@ChrisRalph He is an evil individual.
      Last I heard, he was a person of interest in the suspicious death of his own father.

  • @markmayer2029
    @markmayer2029 2 месяца назад

    Old Moly is put into high PRESSURE greases.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 месяца назад

      Its also important in a number of steel alloys.

  • @absolute___zero
    @absolute___zero 15 дней назад

    You forgot UV light, it is awesome for identification, for example you could point UV light on cinnabar and get pure mercury out of it

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  14 дней назад +1

      I did a whole video on UV light mineral identification.

  • @tomaszcapenko1111
    @tomaszcapenko1111 27 дней назад

    I'm very sorry sir. Would you mind helping me identify my stones?

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  27 дней назад

      Watch that video. It will tell you what you need to know. I get quite a few people every day who want me to ID their rock and mineral photos. I do not offer a mineral ID service, mostly because it’s not as easy as you think. Usually, minerals cannot be identified from just a picture.

  • @MamohauTau
    @MamohauTau Месяц назад

    So basically double back .... Okay

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Месяц назад

      Not sure what you mean by "double back"