All About Metallic Gems and Minerals | Pyrite, Cinnabar, and More!

We're Unboxing unique metallic gems and minerals! Watch as Rob tries his best not to get fooled by fools gold as he handles specimens such as Pyrite, Molybdenite, Cinnabar, Carborundum, and More! You may need to wash your hands after this episode... Watch to find out!
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Gemstones.com is one of the leading experts on gemstones and is the best source on KZbin for all things gem related. Featuring gem history, the science behind the stones, gemstones in pop culture, and much more, you too can become a gemology expert by immersing yourself in the Gemstones.com channel. Robert has his Cert GA from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.
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#Gemstones #Metallic #Minerals

[@michellepernula872]

You were charming; and talked perfectly. Your cadence, tone, quality was lustrous. You should do way more of these. I learned a lot from you. Take a bow.

[@LinkTheFusky]

I love Pyrite, mainly because it's found in Lapis Lazuli and makes it look like Van Gogh's starry night sometimes, atleast a pebble I bought in a crystal shop does. I always tip £1 to them cause they're a small buisiness and they used to live on my street, lovely couple they bike to work everyday

[@KrogTharr]

Man I totally love that! I found a shop on Etsy that sold me a beautiful specimen from Afghanistan and it’s definitely one of my favorites! Your Lapis Lazuli is probably from there as well, since that “Van Gogh’s starry night” can’t be found on on specimens from other places.

[@Keithlynd_]

that pyritized fossil is showing how awesome nature is. I literally thought it's some kind of carving

[@KrosanBeast315]

Things can Pyritize, Agatize, or get replaced entirely by other minerals or gemstones.

[@jasondubose8160]

I personally love metallic minerals and all the forms they are able to come in.

[@shitheadjohnson2797]

they might be the toughest kind.

[@maxevocal]

Marcasite might have just become the next specimen i want to look for for my collection!

[@KrosanBeast315]

Look for specimens from Nipomo. The Marcasite typically grows in blue Chalcedony. Do be warned: Marcasite can stain the Chalcedony and turn it from blue to Golden.

[@smartazz61]

I think Marcasite is what I'm after as "The best" mineral to use with flint to produce fire capable sparks. So you can go total caveman with no steel.

[@maxevocal]

@@smartazz61 thats really cool!!

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Wow some beautiful mineral examples there. I’ve got some natural Silicone Carbide from the Meteorite crater, it looks like it’s been rolled in glitter. Great presentation, thank you. 😀

[@francisccsabaherpai7068]

Silicon carbide is something I remember from my early childhood, reason for it: I grew up just outside an industrial town, my dad used to work in a place where silicon carbide, as you said in the video, was more or less a byproduct that over time formed in smokestack. At the time every house I've ever been to had a sizeable fancy lump of silicon carbide on display. What's nice about it, under direct light it reflects all the colours of the rainbow, and while I know it has many industrial application, for me it was the shape and beautiful display of colours that makes silicon carbide memorable

[@donniebroadwayjr3321]

That hunk of pyrite is AWESOME

[@karengarcia8587]

I think these metallic gemstones are so amazing.😯😎💎🪨 They look so shiny and to know how they become like that and form are very fascinating. Some even glittery too.✨💎 Thanks for sharing with us and nice video.🙂👍🧑‍🏫

[@purplealice]

I have some of my greatgrandmonther's victorian Jewlry, and there is a necklace with chips of zircon ornamenting the setting

[@purplealice]

Thd ancient Chncese used to cave amulets and stuff out of cinnabar, as well as grinding it up into medicine. Before the invention of antibiotics, mecury compounds were the only treatment for syphilis, which made it an elixir of immortality.

[@Katepuzzilein]

Mercury(I)chloride was also used as a laxative and you can still track the Lewis and Clark expedition to this day because they left a trail of mercury laden latrines

[@lorawaring883]

wow. so many things to learn. Thanks, Rob!

[@KCoda1248]

I happen to love marcasite jewelry, especially with amethyst. The crystals are so tiny, how are they cut?

[@RICDirector]

They aren't cutb they grow that way.

[@michellepernula872]

The answer to your question has a clue in the question. HINT: crystal. D

[@Sheepdog1314]

pyrite breaks down, makes the surrounding air corrosive...I worked in a gift store where they put pyrite specimen in the same case as other minerals, and it literally ate away some of them. And as a goldsmith, I would not advise wearing this mineral as jewelry - it is sold as beads and cabochons

[@michellepernula872]

It's another one of those that people should wear gloves with and if cutting, a respirator mask.

[@aimee-lynndonovan6077]

Interesting 🤔

[@hippiecowgirl4231]

Thank you for this ! I was finally able to identify a specimen I've had for years .( Apache gold)

[@silentferret1049]

For metallic luster there is some Quartzite formations that are much like a slate but have a dead givaway of silvery, gold, and coppery metallic luster. Very beautiful stuff to look at but fragile as it can flake off like loose slate if hit right otherwise the stuff is pretty tough.

[@milesnn]

Wow magnificent specimens love that lustre and your knowledge is fantastic and how you present it awesome video thank you

[@PhilipHertzler]

Just earlier this morning I wanted to see one on metallic color and luster!! Cheers!🔹️🔷️🔹️🔷️🔹️🔷️

[@Bambi_Sapphic]

Arsenopyrite and stibnite are easily my favourites when it comes to metallic luster.

[@purplealice]

Galena - a natural rectifier used in old radios.

[@PaletteBegonia]

Pyrite fossils are so crazy looking , really do look like some crazy alien skeletons

[@ghosstt]

wow Paul Rudd really knows his geology!

[@gems]

😂

[@CharlemagneProkopyshyn]

"It's a little toxic but I'm not worried about it... Wait " 🤣🤣 so funny, Rob. This was really interesting. I remember the first gem I had as a child was "fool's gold" aka pyrite. I really like the story telling, history and information/ examples of where and how they are used today.

[@kathleenmayhugh2246]

What about sphalerite, zinc in the mix with some metallic flashes ad well

[@smartazz61]

Galena was discovered 100 and some odd years ago to be a semi-conducter. It was ( and still is ) used as a detector turning ac into DC making it possible to hear am radio signals. A wire, a piece of galena, and an earphone was basically all that's needed to hear AM broadcasts WITHOUT needing batteries or any other power source. Other than what is in the air "living" as electromagnetic waves. These "Crystal Radios" were the first widely used radio receivers allowing even poor folks living without any electrical power to still hear and enjoy radio broadcasts. A diode is a much better detector but if you want to go "old school" you can still use a piece of galena and a "cats whisker" as a detector. I still do this occasional just so I can say I listened to the radio "through a rock" with no batteries or ac plug.

[@loisr1560]

Have you heard of the welcome stranger gold nugget found in Australia its was 19 Kilograms.

[@dirantoporu2647]

Cinnabar is the most famous of the Mercury based minerals, but it is not the only one.

[@hopeanderson1091]

Could you guys explain the reason specimens with the same chemical components create different gems/minerals with different crystal systems? Ive been interested in Minerals for a couple years rockhounding everywhere I went, but information was surprisingly difficult for me to either find or fully understand without any basic fundamental understanding of what I was reading. So rockhounding sorta lost its "luster"(😉🤓) for a while. Buut im picking it up again, and still have no fundamental understanding of what im doing! So your videos are great and you guys are awesome!

[@aimee-lynndonovan6077]

I feel the same way, overwhelmed by the vocabulary nobody broke down in rocks and minerals books!🤣🤣🤣these videos I can understand.

[@HoboMinerals]

Awe, you’re super charming!! And knowledgeable! I truly enjoy listening to you!!!

[@aimee-lynndonovan6077]

Piritetazides ! I am blown away!🌚🌝

[@icatz]

Great episode. Just wondering why no Bornite. Also, you didn't mention why cinnabar was no longer used for decoration (mercury ore). I personally love Galena. Does it ever show in massive form? Thanks! 💖

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

I noticed he didn’t mention that it was Mercury ore. Well, we both knew, but many wouldn’t.

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

@Urbin Scout 😃

[@woutijland4983]

In the Netherlands you can find pyrite in rivers and even canals well atleast in Twente

[@duana6033]

I freaking love you. Just saying I learn sooooooo much.

[@weeb9332]

Very cool, informative episods

[@a.kitcat.b]

I really enjoyed that metallic fossil and the cinnabar, I want specimens like that, they are fascinating. Its not something you would see every day-

[@michellepernula872]

NO ONE should have cinnabar in their home.

[@klaokaewsinteppadon9720]

Not related to the gems but your watch is so thin it’s cool!

[@KrosanBeast315]

4:29 Not entirely true. Pyrite is also known to grow in the shape of irregular shaped 12 sided crystals called Pyritohedrons.

[@smartazz61]

I must know this. How long do you need to be a rock hound and or how old of a rock hound must you be before you start to wear rock bolo ties?

[@andysAudio]

Very good information, thanks!

[@swarnikareema]

Hi.. I'm going to get a pyrite soon.. I've read it's not water safe bcz of the iron content.. Can u suggest if a quick dip in soapy water n then aur drying is fine or not?

[@wolfmama7879]

Marcasite is also known as white iron pyrite

[@beingbeforetheveil]

I think there's a piece of Galina on that 14lb quartz piece

[@americanrebel413]

Thank you.

[@funnymammals]

Good video

[@kathleenmayhugh2246]

Since you had cinnabar, for metallic Lustre, what about sphalerite?

[@RICDirector]

And ruby, and sapphire, especially in star rough.

[@nickalouscromer9082]

What about glassy luster gems

[@jeremycalnan4180]

Thank you

[@allisonrichards2488]

Pyrite always seemed to help me see cheaters when I wHow about topaz?as teaching. Weird!

[@Elizabeth912-v6o]

I love metallic gems.

[@bethlovesthings]

loved this video 💖💖💖💖

[@HoboMinerals]

Is galena attracted to a magnet?

[@deborahfavor7597]

Waaaooo am in Ghana just discovered topaz how do I get in touch

[@johnbuck5181]

Rob, how many arrests has your mustache made?

[@aimee-lynndonovan6077]

Metallic moss!🪨🍃

[@jeremycalnan4180]

Right crystals glue'd together with liquid gold

[@fanton777doy9]

Some eny closeup the next time ❗🙋

[@wirehyperspace]

pyrite is nickel cobalt and gold and with computers and magnets it is a bit of money

[@naagi369]

Can pyrite be used as jewelry? Some people say it is ok, some dont. I am quite confused 😢 Anybody knows it please help.

[@AmirFauzi666]

Have you find an answer? Some said its air corrosive and can eat other metal. And does hematite comes from pyrite?

[@naagi369]

I bought a book and it says pyrite is not good as a jewelry. It will reaction with water/sweat and create a chemical that can irritate skin and be toxic. Hematit is the same. I read in some page that if only they are coated (silver/gold), they can be used.

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

Pyrite is valuable, don't be fooled by it.

[@PaddyMcMe]

So, if the Pyrite is metal then how does it look metallic? Is it a trick of the light? Is the gem translucent at all or completely reflective like metal? Would it look different in person than on camera? I'm really confused.

[@Mikedc100]

It's composed of iron and sulfur so it has a lot of metal in it but is usually classified as a metal sulfide or perhaps a mineral, it's a little vague. Technically it's Iron disulfide (FeS2) which just means the atomic structure is 1 iron atom per 2 sulfur atoms. It doesn't have typical characteristics of a metal being brittle instead of malleable and also not magnetic.

[@swarnikareema]

@@Mikedc100 hi.. I'm going to get a pyrite soon.. I've read it's not water safe bcz of the iron content.. Can u suggest if a quick dip in soapy water n then aur drying is fine or not?

[@Mikedc100]

@@swarnikareema I wouldn't take a chance exposing it to water.

[@swarnikareema]

@@Mikedc100 thank you for answering..

[@KrosanBeast315]

This guy forget to mention to NEVER touch Cinnabar crystals with your bare hands.

[@ZaDussault]

Wouldn't washing your hands after touching lead just put lead in water? I'd wipe them up with cleaning wipes and throw it away and THEN wash my hands. But I don't know, I'm not a pro

[@NataliaJuliaNowak]

You forgot about hematite!

[@sentientbeing5632]

I want to get marcasite

[@wirehyperspace]

if crystal grows, itself replicating

[@darknessislight3689]

Gorgeous 😍

[@gcegubbels4734]

Every can grow

[@PhilipHertzler]

Tektites!!!

[@KrosanBeast315]

13:12 Marcasite and Pyrite are chemically IDENTICAL!! BOTH are FeS^2! What is this guy talking about?!

[@jeremycalnan4180]

But it has the ora...

[@saleebanaxmedorshe9322]

Will show me sample a nasal lunar or a missile shape i have that items l state in somalia sool

[@gcegubbels4734]

From span

[@jimmaification]

Lol. Schwing!

[@purplealice]

Black diamonds are exotic and different, and not like what the Kardashians are wearing this week.

[@PjSmitty3]

I just reported this channel for being too informative and entertaining af....ur repressing me into watching every min of content with notes at the ready....that dude is very good on camera....it makes me hate him....hatful respect. Hemmingway style....

[@Michael-sr1lu]

😱😲😯❤😂😮😅😊🤯

[@enjoyingmyvodka1013]

First one I always found it beautiful