Skeena Rocks

 I was late in finding this book, which was published in 2007, but it was worth the wait!

Canada Rocks: A Geologic Journey is a geology buff or rockhounds dream book!  It looks, at first glance, much like a modern textbook, but it is written in a manner more conversational and approachable and it doesn’t have those daunting questions at the end of each chapter! I found myself reading enthusiastically and diligently highlighting important information, but I soon quit highlighting because I was highlighting most of the text!  There are so many things I’ve forgotten and many things I didn’t know.  The author of this book also wrote Ontario Rocks: Three Billion Years of Environmental Change  a book I grumpily ignored because  it has nothing to do with British Columbia – darned Ontario-ites never seem to realize there is a huge continent to the west of them! So, I was quite glad when I found Canada Rocks: A Geologic Journey and gladly give the Ontario authors kudos for this publication.

The book is dense with information, charts, photographs and diagrams, all of which are well done and appropriately and eloquently illustrate the concepts they describe.  I would estimate that an advanced, enthusiastic and interested 8th grader could read and comprehend this book with the assistance of an adult.  Even an adult must have a deep interest in geology and in science. If you are a person who has been trying to figure out how to tell where to find certain rock types and have wondered how the rocks formed you will adore this book.

It’s difficult to learn from many of the rock and mineral identification books on the market without understanding the concepts behind the abbreviated texts. This book writes about each phenomenon and then supports it with, quite frequently, multiple graphics and, additionally, a list of references and further reading at the end of each chapter.

What I enjoyed most were the photographs.  There are a plethera and they are judiciously used to explain tectonic movement, metamorphic activity and each is accompanied by a clear description of the process depicted.

The final chapter contains an interesting view of the possible future. The authors express skepticism about the causes of global warming.  There is also a bit of discussion about the role of geologist  in industrial and mining activities.

This is one reference I am glad to add to my library and I strongly suggest it for anyone with an interest in rocks and geology! Below are links to the CBC Store, which has the lowest price on these books that I have found. Check with your local bookseller first; if you are in Terrace, BC call or stop at Misty River Books, they will be happy to order this book for you.  I’ve also listed a link to the CBC series -  Geologic Journey.

CANADA ROCKS:  A GEOLOGIC JOURNEY 

Paperback: 450 pages

Publisher: Fitzhenry and Whiteside; 1 edition (Oct 22 2007)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1550418602

ISBN-13: 978-1550418606

Product Dimensions: 27.7 x 21.3 x 3.8 cm

Shipping Weight: 1.8 Kg

GEOLOGIC JOURNEY (DVD)

Format: NTSC

Language: English, French

MPAA Rating: 

Studio: Morningstar Ent.

DVD Release Date: Oct 16 2007

Run Time: 250 minutes

If you’ve ever struggled to identify a rock or are confused when trying to buy mineral samples on the internet or shops – the Mineral of the Month Club is for you!

I’ve always loved rocks. When I was a kid, I used to pick up rocks wherever we went.  We could be in the middle of downtown Pittsburgh – but if I saw a rock, I had to have it. Who am I kidding!  I still pick up rocks – everywhere. It’s not as if I don’t have enough – my home is filled with buckets and baskets overflowing with rocks. No two rocks are identical…

The challenge I encountered when collecting my rocks is that, even though I possess almost every rock identification book on the market, I never was really sure when I’d come up with the correct identification.

That was until I discovered the Mineral of the Month Club.  This club is a rock and mineral lover/collectors paradise! Run by Richard & Cheryl Sittinger, the club features a new specimen each month – and they are all awesome specimens, not the crummy, overpriced, often incorrectly identified specimens a person can find on E-bay, or well,  even in some local shops!

Richard & Cheryl have been running the Club since March, 1996 and I don’t believe they’ve had time to pause for a breath since!  They travel around the world, to mines and gem & mineral shows,  selecting only the best specimens in large enough quantities to pass on to their subscribers.  When they find good samples, but not in great enough quantity for the club, they’ll buy a stash and make them available to us at a reasonable price. In addition to the Club, the Sittingers also sell specimens, rocks and beads, containers to hold your samples, etc.

I joined at the “Gold” level and the first shipment I received included a pocket-size DK Rocks and Minerals Book, a presentation binder, plastic sheet protectors and a detailed writeup on rocks and minerals.  The writeups that come with each specimen, which you can receive either by e-mail or traditional snailmail, are nothing short of amazing.  These folks really do their homework and apparently spend a lot of time putting together a fantastic backgrounder for every specimen.  I’ve learned a heckuva lot and can only imagine how fascinating this would be for a young person, just starting out.

 

In addition to the regular shipments of specimens, quite often you can also order complete or partial sets from  years past. You have the option of declining a specimen, which you might do if you already have a great sample in your collection or you can upgrade to a larger sample by paying a nominal fee.

The thing I’ve found most interesting is the outstanding customer service and personal attention they provide. That’s a rarity in this modern world and a breath of fresh air.

In conclusion, if you or someone you know is interested in rocks and minerals, this is a great educational option for beginners and even for advanced  collectors.  

Try the Club out and tell them, “Shelby” sent ya!

http://mineralofthemonthclub.org

 

I work with a large variety of stones. Below are descriptions of some of my favourites and the special names I’ve given them.

EARTHY AMULETS

This category describes the local shales, limestones, sandstones and slates I use in my creations. These beauties will become yours, over time, as you wear them and they absorb skin oils.  If requested, these can be coated in polyurethane.

 

KERMODEI QUARTZ

Kermodei Quartz isn’t a real scientific name, just a name I came up with several years ago to describe milky quartz that has a neat yellow/golden brown colour as a result of mineral impurities within the stone such as iron. The name is based on Ursus americanus Kermodei, a.k.a. the Kermodei Bear. This rare bear is only found in British Columbia, Canada. It is a subspecies of the black bear but it has a white coat that can have tinges of tan, rust, and up to a pale brown.

 

STORM STONES

This is my moniker for the beautiful, warmly coloured agates from Haida Gwaii (a.k.a. the Queen Charlotte Islands), which are located off the coast of   Northwestern British Columbia. This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen, with sandy and rocky beaches, thick moss carpeted forests complemented by the culture of the Haida people. You may notice a white film on your agate – this is a remnant of its life within the basalt and is, in my opinion, an important part of its unique character. You can find more information about Haida Gwaii by clicking on the map to the right of this paragraph.

 

SKEENA ROCKS

Skeena Rocks from the Skeena River rocks are, in my opinion, the most undervalued stones on the planet. When in reality, there are hundreds upon hundreds of different stones to be found in rivers. My favourites are porphyry (crystals that grew more quickly than the matrix in which they are found) and conglomerates (lots of little stones glued together so that they look like little puzzles.) I love cutting river rocks open; I’m astonished by the beauty I find inside.They are very special rocks who deserve a special name of their very own!

Some folks believe in the metaphysical properties of minerals and rocks. I’ve included some here for your help. For detailed information I’d suggest “The Crystal Bible” by Judy Hall, ISBN: 1-84181-175-0 The following are based on notes I have taken through the years.Images are mainly from my personal collection, more images can be found by following the link, “Minerals” on the menu bar above.

By including this information, I am not guaranteeing these effects can be experienced by everyone, or anyone.  Please do not avoid medical or professional treatment for illness or disability – stones don’t replace appropriate care. Always consult a physician first about a medical condition and any alternative treatments you may be considering. Never use this site’s (OR ANY website’s) contents as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Always take prescribed medications and stick to medical treatments as prescribed by your health practitioner.

ACTINOLITE – Responsibility, industry, inflammations

AGATE – harmonizes yin and yang; eloquence, fevers, believed to be good for athletes. A great grounding stone helps you accept yourself; improves concentration and analytical abilities; overcomes negativity; helps heal inner anger; helps heal after emotional trauma.

AGATE, BLUE-LACE – throat chakra; increases composure and calmness, removing anger and irritation; fights infections, inflammation and fevers; helps overcome the effects of being judged; helps you express yourself verbally

AGATE, DENDRITIC – energy, balance, vitality; brings abundance; works slowly; creates a peaceful environment

AGATE, GREEN TREE – Coordination, management; helps clear the chest and calm the stomach

AGATE, MOSS – stabilizing stone; refreshes the soul; helps midwives with their work; helps intellectual people access their intuitive nature and helps intuitive people access their analytical side; renewal, assertiveness, helps the lungs, skin and heart

ALEXANDRITE – Growth, investment, luck, joy; helps the nervous system

AMAZONITE – a filtering stone; helps you see both sides of an issue; balances the masculine and feminine energies; manifests universal love; insight, calms the nerves and emotions, growth, joy, success, self-expression; improves clarity of thought and increases insight; centering oneself, getting back to balance.

AMBER – (really not a mineral or stone, but it’s still important!) has strong connections with the earth; heals and cleanses; increases stability and motivation; fosters optimism; relieves depression; relief from worry and stress; protective stone, carries the warmth of the sun; alleviates joint problems

AMETRINE – (a combination of amethyst and citrine) connects physical realm and higher consciousness; protects and helps with astral travel; protects against psychic attack; resolution, teaching, teeth, metabolism

ANDALUSITE – moderation, enlightenment, memory, helps with vision

ANGELITE – Protects against worries; connects you to those who have passed on to the next life, bravery, fortune, balancing emotions, improves communication; helps you overcome challenges; peace and brotherhood; enhances telepathic communication.

ANHYDRITE – promotes acceptance of your physical form; teaches acceptance

ANTIMONY – intellect; progress; helps reduce swelling; helps fight the flu and common cold

APACHE TEAR – Good luck; aids in overcoming negative emotions; Grounding.

APATITE – stone of manifestation; develops psychic abilities; draws off negativity; stimulates creativity and the mind; clears confusion; helps you access information; promotes humanitarian attitudes; increases

AQUA AURA – (man made) improves dexterity and artistic ability; frees you from limitations (I don’t know why I’m including this, but it is pretty and if you have time, the process for making it is quite interesting.)

ARAGONITE – energy, activity; aids digestion

AVENTURINE – Good luck and good fortune, attracts money; increases creativity; development; judgment; fights migraines; stimulates healthy growth; aids development of mental abilities

AZURITE – meditation; spirituality; divination; improves concentration

BARITE – decisiveness; writing; improves muscle condition

BASALT – a protective, grounding stone; promotes calm and balance; clears the way for creativity; clears the 3rd chakra (Since most of the west coast is of volcanic origin (isn’t everything…) this is a really common stone in
the Skeena River basin. I like to make fridge magnets with it.)

BERYL – determination; stability; calms the nerves; increases energy; adds potency to love spells; brings people on water journeys home safely

BLOODSTONE – increases kindness; Warrior stone for overcoming obstacles; calms fears of a real or perceived enemy; helps protect against blood disorders; courage; regulates a woman’s monthly cycle. (a variety of jasper)

CALCITE – Comfort; inspiration; cleansing; provides comfort and refreshes the system when in emotional crisis; increases your power and effectiveness regarding a project about to be undertaken; a protective stone; for meditation – to help free the mind prior to a psychic reading. Calcite is believed to aid in meditation and increase alertness. It is associated with the crown chakra.

CALCITE, BLACK – record-keeper stone; alleviates depression

CALCITE, GREEN – mental healer; stimulates the immune system; absorbs negativity; aids communication

CALCITE, ORANGE – energizes and cleanses; balances emotions; overcomes depression; dissolves problems

CALCITE, YELLOW OR GOLD – helps with meditation; ground higher mental energy;; stimulates the will; uplifting

CELESTITE – promotes purity of the heart; helps with conflict resolution; relaxation, sympathy, travel sickness; great for meditation; reduces stress; helps guard against excessive worrying.

CARNELIAN – improves analytic abilities; removes fear of death; helps overcome abuse; wards off evil thoughts, jealousies, animosities, and psychic attacks; inspires bravery and courage; cleans other stones; can enhance sexual energy; helps with arthritis, rheumatism, neuralgia.

CHALCEDONY- brings about feelings of benevolence and generosity; removes hostility; transforms sadness to joy; uplifts the spirit; engages courage, level mindedness, return to reality; great for opening new horizons; fights depression; eases self-doubt

CHALCOPYRITE – increases perception (If you’re out and about in the NW of British Columbia, you should be able to find lots of this!!)

CHAROITE – integrates negative qualities; helps overcome obsession; balances the crown chakra; relieves frustration; insight to past lives; improves assertiveness; encourages and inspires; calms nerves; reduces pain of cramps

CHRYSOCOLLA – helps you accept change; helps relationships that have become difficult; draws out negative emotions; helps overcome phobias; promotes truthfulness; improves ability to express thoughts; lifts and balances emotions; eases emotional heartache; attracts love and sweet dreams.

CHRYSOPRASE – helps with deep meditation; promotes truthfulness; encourages fidelity; energizes heart and sacral chakras; passion; renewal; fertility; ardour; intensifies friendships; brings prosperity and good luck

CITRINE – renewal; cleansing; full of positive influences; helps with anxiety and depression; increases psychic power; opens door between intuition and logic; instills self-confidence; dissipates and grounds negative energy; cleanses the chakras; stone of abundance

COPPER – vitality, purification; amplifies thoughts and feelings; good for the blood, muscles and joints – I LOVE using copper in my jewelry!  When it’s coated with acrylic, you don’t get that green staining on your skin, but here’s some information one of my online friends shared with me about the green stuff (no big deal – after all, it does wash off!)

DANBURITE – powerful healing stone; stimulates the third eye, crown and higher crown chakras; links to eternal wisdom; takes you to a higher state of consciousness during meditation; facilitates deep change

DIAMOND – prosperity; well-being; improves senses; increases bravery and strength

DIOPSIDE – love; commitment; helps a person deal with trauma

DIOPTASE – meditation; partnerships; alleviate stress; powerful healer for the heart; helps you live in the present; activates memories of past lives; helps with emotional healing; opens the heart chakra

DOLOMITE – optimism; improves athletic performance

EMERALD – increases mental clarity; helps you enjoy life to the best of your ability; heals negative emotions; calms the emotions; intellect; prosperity; opens the heart chakra; reveals the truth of a lover’s promise and breaks if they are false; helps to develop clairvoyance

EUDIALITE – management; recovery

FLINT – abstinence; science; a cleansing stone

FLUORITE – draws off negative energies; helps you organize and process information; stabilizes the emotions; teaches importance of balance; a great stone for those in a caring profession; brings people together; grounds excess energy; dissolves fixed patterns of behaviour; helps organize and process information; stabilizes the emotions; assists the  conscious mind and body in analyzing conditions and situations in a rational and non-emotional manner; highly protective

GALENA – (lead based – don’t ingest or make elixirs; wash hands after touching) “stone of harmony”; opens the mind; a grounding stone

GARNET – energizes; cleanses and re-energizes chakras; inspires love and devotion; increases hope; Repels negativity, gives courage and confidence, builds a defensive aura around oneself, guards against depression and melancholy; removes inhibitions and taboos

GARNET, ALMANDINE – regenerative; initiates charity and compassion; affection inspiration; stimulates the eyes

GARNET, GROSSULAR – teaches relaxation; improves fertility; “go with the flow”, helps with arthritis

GARNET, SPESSARTITE – willingness to help others; strengthens the heart

GOLD – holds the energies of the stones with which it is in contact; associated with God and the sun; large deposits of gold all around Northwestern BC

HEMATITE – Grounding stone; dissolves negativity; enables the psychic practitioner to distant their thoughts from the physical world so they can receive a psychic information; aids in developing psychic abilities; increases willpower and reliability; imparts confidence; removes self-limitations; treats over-eating, smoking and other overindulgence; helps you accept mistakes; powerful connection with the blood

HERKIMER DIAMOND:  detoxifies; helps you sleep; helps with past-life recall; grounding stone; energizing; brings about creative energies; helps you remember dreams

JADE – symbol of purity; promotes self-sufficiency; releases negative thoughts; helps with creative ideas; “dream stone”; reduces irritability; peace and reflection; stone of patience and slow but steady progress; the stone of longevity, offers healing of the body and spirit; used to maintain health and well-being.  There are large deposits of nephrite jade in NW British Columbia.

JASPER, RED – “supreme nurturer”; absorbs negative energy; cleanses and aligns chakras and the aura; balances yin and yang; increases courage; stimulates the imagination; prolongs sexual pleasure; powerful stone used for divination practice; worn to protect the individual during out of body experiences and vision quests by providing a solid grounding.  This is a fairly common stone in NW British Columbia.

LAPIS LAZULI – enhances sixth sense abilities of gaining secret knowledge; Facilitates visualization of wearer and healing properties

LEPIDOLITE – Induces calmness; has a tranquilizing effect against stress and negative emotions; helps to recognize one’s need for making changes in thinking and behavior patterns

MALACHITE – Assists in healing of emotions, brings peaceful sleep, brings extra power when used for divination purposes especially those pertaining to receiving one’s hearts desire; protective stone; activates visualization and psychic vision; amplifies both negative and positive energy; stone of transformation; draws out deep feelings

MARBLE – a dreamer’s stone – it will help you recall your dreams so you can understand more about yourself; good for meditation as it is a calming stone

MICA – helps you see and understand imperfections in the people around you while still maintaining a compassionate attitude

MOLDAVITE:  Extraterrestrial origin (so, people say it helps us communicate with aliens); transcends time; aids communication; opens crown chakra; grounding stone; helps bring about unconventional, “outside-the-box” solutions

MOLYBDENITE:  “dreamer’s stone”; good for bringing about healing dreams; gets rid of mercury poisoning; integrates your normal, every day personality with your higher self; improves spirituality

MOONSTONE – Associated with all things feminine; believed to help alleviate menstrual pain and reduce symptoms of menopause. For all relationships, family, mates and lovers, to keep the existing harmony or to restore it, also used to attract new a new one.

OBSIDIAN – grounding, protective stone; absorbs negative energy;  helps block psychic attack; draws out mental stress and tension; . Used as a scrying tool to help the psychic un-focus from the physical and venture inward to receive information. (this is an extremely strong stone with side effects – not for a neophyte)

ONYX, BLACK- Protection, energy shield. Used for grounding and centering oneself. Meditative.

OPAL – enhances psychic visions; helps you express who you truly are; absorbs and reflects; karmic stone; protective – helps you be unnoticed or invisible; improves self-worth; brings out spontaneity; brings about loyalty and faithfulness

PERIDOT – Used to attract wealth, abundance, increase happiness and well being. Peridot is a stone of lightness and beauty. Only spiritual or clear-minded persons should use peridot. The person with too many earthly problems will not be able to understand the beauty of the Peridot. The very spiritual can wear peridot in a necklace with the stone at the base of the throat to feel its soothing effect. Used in a necklace, peridot is a protector against negative emotions.

PETRIFIED WOOD – A grounding, stabilizing stone; protective; calming

PYRITE – protective and grounding stone; balances the male energies; even though it is called “Fool’s Gold” it is believed to promote good financial sense

QUARTZ, AMETHYST – Moderation, devotion, insomnia, addictions, nerve pain, acne, peace, tranquility, happiness, purification, soften negative feelings; this is the healer of the ages, healing for the soul, body and
mind; balances highs and lows

QUARTZ, CLEAR – most powerful healing and energy amplifier; cleanses and enhances; raises energy; dissolves karmic seeds; enhances psychic abilities; filters out distractions during meditation; used to implement psychic, ESP qualities. Connecting with the Universal source of  knowledge.

QUARTZ, ROSE – brings deep inner healing; calming and good to use in crisis or trauma; attracts love and affection; comforts during grief; strengthens the heart; The bringer of love in its many forms- romantic and otherwise. Wear it to attract love, give it to someone as a symbol of your love or appreciation.

QUARTZ, RUTILATED – integrates energy; facilitates contact with spiritual guidance; breaks down barriers to spiritual progress

QUARTZ, SMOKEY – linked to the earth and to base chakras; detoxifies; A filter and trap for those negative thoughts and emotions that are everywhere present. Keep one nearby where you work, bring one with you when you expect to be around negative people; promotes positive thought

QUARTZ, SNOW – (a.k.a. Kermodei Quartz ; a.k.a. Milky Quartz) supports you while learning; improves tact and cooperation; think before you speak; prevents feelings of being overwhelmed by demands

QUARTZ, TIGER’S-EYE – For protection, for divination and inquiry into past or future lives.

RHODOCHROSITE – Relationships, promotes balanced love and understanding. Gives energy to the active person.   
RHODONITE – wound healer; heals emotional shock; grounds energy; balances yin-yang; helps you achieve your potential; helps you see both sides of an issue; a balancer; clears emotional wounds; turns back insults; prevents retaliation; builds confidence; reduces confusion

SERPENTINE – grounding stone; aids meditation; clears chakras; stimulates the crown chakra; helps you feel in control; corrects emotional imbalance; blood cleanser and detoxifier; increases longevity

SERPENTINE, LIGHT GREEN (infinite stone) – connects you with angelic guidance; promotes compassion; promotes forgiveness; heals imbalances from past lives; gets rid of “baggage” from past relationships; pain
relief

SILVER – represents the moon and the Goddess; aids speech and public speaking; enhances and stores the properties of stones it comes in contact with; aids psychic energies

SODALITE – Healing of emotions and physical body. An aid to transformation when used in meditation. Sodalite is also a fluorescent stone – place it under a black light and see what I mean!

STAUROLITE – Good luck stone shaped like crosses. Used for protection against accidents and to bring one courage.

SUGILITE – Magical understanding of Higher things. Symbol of universal love. The crown chakra and spiritual understanding.

SULPHUR – (TOXIC – don’t eat, avoid touching eyes and mucous membranes and wash hands after use) absorbs negative energies and emotions; brings out psychic abilities; reaches the rebellious and stubborn; blocks repetitive and distracting thought patterns; aids reasoning; grounds thinking; enhances creativity

SUNSTONE:  brings joy; clears all chakras; connects you to the light and the sun; helps you say no; antidepressant; good for SAD; encourages optimism and enthusiasm.

TOPAZ – One can focus their desires through this stone, visual images in the mind are transformed into universal messages. Enables communication from other realms in the universe.

TOURMALINE – Integrates and harmonizes left and right brain activity which enhances the person’s psychic and medium ship abilities. Aids in balancing the whole person and the psyche.

TURQUOISE – Manifests spiritual qualities, healing, friendship & love, luck & money

UNAKITE: Healing of the soul. Guide to transformation and Higher Self.

VANADINITE:  (TOXIC – Don’t touch!) connects to the earth chakra; helps you conserve energy (your own); calms noisy thoughts; helps to get overspending under control

WULFENITE: (TOXIC – Don’t touch!):  Helps heal past lives; helps you to accept and adjust to life when it’s not what you hope for or need; helps you focus on the positive; integrates shadow energies

GOLD “KARAT” DEFINED

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• 24K gold is pure gold.
• 18K gold contains 18 parts gold and 6 parts of another metal(s), making it 75% gold.
• 14K gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts of another metal(s), making it 58.3% gold.
• 12K gold contains 12 parts gold and 12 parts of another metal(s), making it 50% gold
• 10K gold contains 10 parts gold and 14 parts another metal(s), making it 41.7% gold. 10K gold is the minimum karat designation that can still be called gold in the US.

An alloy, another type of metal, is almost always added to gold because gold is an extremely soft metal. With the exception of 24k gold, all gold has an alloy and sometimes more than one metal is used. Making alloys isn’t easy. Before jewelers create an alloy, they have to consider how the metals will react with each other. Adding too much of one metal or another can make the mixture brittle, too hard, or difficult to work with. Some ingredients could make the alloy too soft.

Jewelers are constantly adjusting their recipes to produce combinations that are attractive, strong and can be made into jewelry.