Testing the Smithsonian Rock and Gem Dig Kit

[@iamjamie3528]

I've been working on trying to figure out how to make something like this! I'm so happy I came across this video so I can see what I need to do to make mine better

[@sandmaker]

I can see where kids would like it and a great time sharing it with them. It you soak the block in water it is easier to manage. This is the second one I have seen on you tube. I watched both to the end. It brings out the kid in me. Thanks for sharing ,it wS fun. Be happy, safe and stay healthy 😷⚒

[@AgateAriel]

Haha I have heard that and am definitely going to be soaking it next time 😅 I agree it was fun and I felt like a kid again! Thank you and same to you! 😊

[@joane.landers9151]

​@@AgateArielMaybe instead of using the supplied wooden dowel, try using an 8-penney nail and try some water in another container to soften the bits you're chipping off. At least that's what I would do. Mm

[@jeremiahwise668]

A great technique for these is soak in water then shave off small amounts at a time. I have done a few of these and it’s more efficient to to it that way instead of going back though the smaller chunks to be sure you didn’t miss anything.

[@AgateAriel]

Oh that’s a great idea!! I will have to try that next time!

[@JosefinHolkensjö]

Thats sheeting...

[@davidbendall7919]

Initially, I read "soak" as 'sock.' I thought you were about to suggest placing the block in a sock and whack it against a hard surface in order to bypass the tedious chipping and contain the resulting dust. I was kinda disappointed when I discovered my error. 😂

[@annadzik4102]

maciek😀😀😘😍

[@annadzik4102]

maciek😊😊😘😍fate

[@sandraabshire4923]

So much fun for budding young geologists! Start ‘‘em early!!

[@AgateAriel]

Exactly what I thought! A great introduction into the hobby! 🙌

[@LinaBedhyef]

2:06 start watching Ariel opening the cool kit 😊

[@jamiebester8677]

Watching this stuff is so satisfying

[@minermobile6983]

Asmr lol😂

[@johnblack9038]

if you have access to a blacklight, put your rocks underneath them, fluorite will let you real quick which one it is. If you don't have one at home, go to home depot, and 'test' one of them in one of the hundreds of fixtures they have plugged in.

[@AgateAriel]

Oh great idea! I do actually have black light! I will have to check it out!!

[@GREEKEXPLORERS]

Incredible video Ariel, very beautiful rocks!! Thank you for sharing this wonderful video with us!! I wish you all the best!!

[@AgateAriel]

Thank you so much-I really appreciate it! ☺️

[@jeremiahwise668]

Along with this I gave my 5 year old niece the discovery gemstone dig kit. I also got her some IDigit blocks. These are cool for all ages.

[@AgateAriel]

Oh very cool! I’d love those gifts even as an adult! 🤣

[@CityRockhounding]

Really cool, I wasn't expecting those rocks. How cool. Just ordered two for my kids to open, and share with Dad, if I'm lucky! Thanks for the video.

[@AgateAriel]

Oh that’s awesome! Definitely a cool little kit! 🙌

[@erikarussell1142]

I love your content and I mean this with so much love. But it’s pronounced ah-nyx (onyx). And not all rocks that are banded are agates. But that’s ok. It’s a learning curve and I see you know most of the basics. I love this. Also, the mini identity crises over the word bag! Lmao oh I can relate. ❤

[@IveGotStones]

Great video Ariel, oh, by the way, the fire agate chalcedony stones I tumbled turned out great with the mineral oil trick you did in a video👍😁

[@AgateAriel]

Oh that is so awesome-so glad that I could help! 🙌😊

[@hauntedshadowslegacy2826]

imo, these 'gemstone geology' kits would be so much more educational if they were separated into different kits based on what kind of rock you could naturally find the gems in. Like, a kit of igneous gems, a kit of metamorphic gems, and a kit of sedimentary gems. Maybe add some details in the pamphlets that explain why you get different gems from the same type of rock (i.e. mineral inclusions). Of course, putting the rarer types of gems into a kit is unrealistic, but having a list of those rarer types into a section of the pamphlet would get kids who use the kit interested in exploring more.

[@prizegotti]

Love the way you pronounce Agate. We say it very differently in the UK.

[@zosothezephead837]

And onyx, not "onks" 😂

[@juniusvindex769]

Agate is pronounced aggit........ 🤦‍♂️

[@cyborg8643]

I’m from USA and pronounce it differently, as well. The first time I heard her say agate I thought she was saying eggit. I think it’s a regional pronunciation, because I saw another video from a man in Michigan that pronounced it just like she does.

[@hauntedshadowslegacy2826]

@@cyborg8643 Oh yeah, defo a regional thing. She also says 'baeg' instead of 'bag'.

[@daydbaysinger4572]

You should do the national geographic fosill and gem one I was really happy with that one.

[@AgateAriel]

Oh I will have to try that one! 🙌

[@WickedTabbyCat]

My girls and I have done a few of these, I have to say watching you was more interesting for me personally. The ones we’ve done the gems are in much rougher shapes, what technique would you use to tumble them since they are already so small? Also, I found large size ceramic media. Would you use it, and if so at which stage(s)?

[@AgateAriel]

Yes I have noticed they do come in rough shape sometimes! I would skip step 1 for sure to help preserve them since they do start so tiny. I would use large ceramic media for sure! A mix of large and small would be ideal!

[@zosothezephead837]

You have a lovely personality Ariel!

[@Boogerpresley04]

The way you say bag makes me happy.

[@tomk7673]

I liked this video! It's a great learning and discovery experience for kids! 😀 I would have enjoyed a couple of streak plate tests. I'm not familiar with using a streak plate, but I imagine it would work on polished rocks, but maybe not. I'm wondering whether all the agate-looking ones would have the same streak.

[@imommyme98]

There are other rocks besides agates that have stripes though

[@MNpicker]

That was fun!! I always enjoy a good treasure hunt🤓👍

[@AgateAriel]

Right! It was pretty satisfying digging them all out! 😊

[@maryfritz8944]

Sometimes they are super tiny, I always count how many because some of the boxes cheat you and some have extra. I found the Walmart dig kit has good size pieces.

[@NazareneBoodram-yv8re]

Maybe you could fill a cup with water to put the rocks in when you find it

[@jcouch1993]

When I do those, I break the rock thing into a few pieces and let it dissolve in a bucket of water. I'm too lazy to be using that wooden hammer and dowl to find them. Less chance of the rocks getting damaged too

[@jcouch1993]

Also, the pyrite ones aren't worth the money. The pyrite is so fragile and somehow rusts in some places. They just crumble

[@jcouch1993]

National geographic dig box's have bigger rocks as well, and less dyed ones. I've never done a Smithsonian one before so I can't truly compare them

[@AgateAriel]

Oh good to know! Yes I definitely want to try this again with different dig kits-I’ll put the nat geo one on the list! 🙌

[@NazareneBoodram-yv8re]

❤ 0:21

[@wasntme5686]

My partner thought you were foreign one day I was like "noooooo lmao she's from Minnesota" 😂

[@amandatrent7869]

You gotta soak ut in water for a few minutes first. Uve done the ones they gave at Walmart, the natgeo brand

[@davidva8694]

I thought ankhs were meant to be gold

[@Agender_Potato]

I mean you're a Minnesotan I say melk, tæble, and I'm from SD Bāg vs beg :)

[@AgateAriel]

Right! Haha such a midwestern thing 🤣

[@CookingWithCows]

Put your onkhs in your bieagh

[@tomk7673]

yes indeed, onyx is definitely 2 syllables 🙂

[@Joseph_24k_gold]

hi

[@Naomi-pq6tv]

You say onyx extremely weird. It's like you are saying oncks instead of on ix s

[@gmdgfp8972]

Eres muy linda. Me encanta pareces una niña pequeña. Eres muy dulce 😻

[@davidva8694]

Be a little more creepy

[@johndusablon1895]

Lefty this is physically challenged