Today I started the rock project. First, I had to choose a rock, which was probably the easiest part. Then my group and I researched together since we all somehow chose the same exact rock.
The rock we chose is called labradorite. The chemical formula for this rock is (Ca, Na)(Al,Si)4O5. The ratio is Na:Ca = 3:7, and the Al atoms are between 1 and 2 and the Si atoms are between 3 and 2. This means that if Al has 1 atoms, Si has 3 atoms, and vice versa. The mohs scale, which determines the hardness of the rock, is 6 - 6.5, and the tenacity of the rock is brittle. This means my rock is fairly strong, but shouldn't be too much of a trouble to grind and shape. |
Labradorite originates from Labrador, Canada. It is made up of Feldspar Material and accounts for 60% of the Earth's crust. The way this rock gets its color is when light reflects on different twinings of different rock parts, the color depends on inner twinings. Multiple twinings gives the rock a multi-color look. |
I chose this type of rock because I thought it looked very nice and after researching more about it I found myself more interested. At first, I didn't really think rocks were all that special. But after learning about how light reflects on the inner twinings rather than the whole rock itself, I was excited to shape the rock into a shape for jewelry or a keychain. I am very excited to start the rock project and use the necessary equipment.