Testing the Test | Can You Really Measure Hardness With Common Items?

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

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[@EDLaw-wo5it]

Once again I learned from you. One of the tests I use is putting it in the tumbler and after maybe a day or two I see how they are doing. I know that if a rock is wearing too fast It comes out and may be replaced with a rock that I feel is harder. I was well aware of the difference in the hardness of nails and screws. I have a very good pocket knife that I know is harder than an average knife you buy at the hardware store so I try to compensate. Thanks for the great tutorial. It will help all of us. Havagudun Jared and Sarah too.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I think you can can put together a little home kit but you need to test it against known rocks. I was a little surprised and the variation in hardness I came across when testing a bunch of different nails, screws, drill bits and knives.

[@1sec2midnight]

Hello CR, thanks for another very useful video. I have been on the fence about buying a test kit since I started as a novice rock tumbler who knows about the importance of rock hardness's. But for now I am sticking to the common agates, jaspers, and petrified woods. But like you mentioned, there are a lot of variations amongst these examples. One day I will probably spring for test kit, but for now I will go with what everyone says about the three top rocks being in the 6.5 - 7 category.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

It is nice to have but not super critical to have.

[@janetrychel5823]

Thanks so much for this tutorial. It’s exactly the info I’ve been looking for

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I hope you it helps you out some. I know this stuff can get complex for sure.

[@patriciamurray5612]

Thanks for sharing, Jared. I have some rocks with streaks of particular minerals that I believe are: 1) pyrite and 2) chrysocolla, but it's impossible to do streak or hardness testing on things like that. So I guess experience in recognizing minerals is or can be as important as those other tests.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Oh yeah for sure sometimes your eyes are the number one test. If there's like 6 tests you could do on a mineral or rock maybe only 4 of them are practical to do on that sample so you just do those and it can often get you pointed the right direction.

[@danieltaieb3260]

I love your work and especialy these kind of content. Id rocks and minerals are very dificult!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you.

[@gwynnfarrell1856]

That sure was interesting! Thank you for sharing your research. Nicely done.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you.

[@savagesquirrel9828]

Thanks, professor...love your informative vids.

[@paigelee6321]

Awesome sticker 😝, awesome information, thank you 😊, 💙😊

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Hahaha thank you!

[@DingusKhan54]

Great reference material! Thanks for the info.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

My pleasure.

[@TheRogueRockhound]

Anyone else notice that Mohs was the guy who created the scale and is the acronym for the test... Measure Of Hardness Scale = MoHs We totally live in a simulation or Mohs knew what he was doing.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I think he knew what he was doing, but I can't rule out the simulation theory.

[@Der_Kleine_Mann]

Man, I love to lick my Opals😕 and I will continue doing it🙂

[@patriciamckean4186]

Omg, I ha e a homemade test. Thanks for the info

[@inakarmacoma]

Appreciate the video. Was curious if you've come across any less expensive options worth considering? Using actual mineral samples seems less optimal. The digital options look more expensive and possibly less practical. But it just seems quite expensive? Is it the quality of construction and the materials, or just the nicheness of the market?

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

There really are not any viable options other than the pick set. Using the actual minerals has its own issues as well, like always having good edges on them...etc.

[@tanyazimmerman7038]

Love your videos! Do you have an email address so I can ask specific questions? Thanks!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Looks like you already found it.

[@yoopermann7942]

great video info! thank you

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you.

[@edwardlochbihler2089]

Another good video thanks for sharing the information

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thanks for coming by and watching!

[@edwardlochbihler2089]

I'm almost afraid to ask how much that test kit set ya back but I am curious

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Those kits around about $125. Not cheap at all.

[@edwardlochbihler2089]

Would you recommend getting it

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

@@edwardlochbihler2089 So it does work really well, buts its also really pricey so I think for the average person they don't need it but if you really want to nerd out about minerals than you might consider it.

[@wisconsingoldrush8270]

I always have trouble telling river topaz from other regular orange-ish types of quartz. I have a sapphire to scratch against and regular glass and a quartz crystal, but i can never really tell topaz for sure. What tests would you use to tell if it's topaz, in your opinion?

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

A specific gravity test will tell you what you want to know. If you don't know how to do one I have a video up on it. Its part of the rock identifying video.

[@wisconsingoldrush8270]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding is that where you dangle The Rock in a beaker of water on a scale? I need some brushing up on it. I will definitely watch your video thanks bro!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

@@wisconsingoldrush8270 That is exactly what I'm talking about.

[@jmsdvs5]

I don't know if you do this, but you should do the Amazon affiliate program

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I do post Amazon affiliate links for products I think are really good from time to time.

[@RagnarRocks]

Ragnar tests hardness with his teeth and claws

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I like Ragnars testing!

[@jaxntax5509]

I cheated on my hardness picks my son is a machiest he made mine.

[@Algoldprospecting]

Yeah it’s a flawed test in my opinion. Especially when it comes to say quartz and beryl from the same mine. lol we need an AI robot to tell us