SALT SHACK - EDUCATION

Welcome to Salt Shack for crystal education, mineral identification, geology learning, and natural earth science content.
We explore crystals, gemstones, minerals, rock types, fossils, & geological formations, helping you understand Earth’s natural wonders through simple, engaging videos.

Our channel covers a wide range of topics, including:
🔹 Crystal and gemstone identification for beginners
🔹 Mineral classification, lustre, hardness, and crystal habit
🔹 How crystals and minerals form
🔹 Rock cycle science, plate tectonics, volcanism, sedimentary layers
🔹 Geology facts and earth science lessons
🔹 Natural formations, geodes, and Earth processes
🔹 Mineral learning songs for easy memorization

If you love crystal collecting, geology, natural science education, rare minerals, or earth science, this channel is for you.

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SALT SHACK - EDUCATION

How to Tell If Lapis Lazuli Is Real | Don’t Rely on Smell

https://youtu.be/gve01a-KFlQ

11 hours ago | [YT] | 7

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SALT SHACK - EDUCATION

Please ask any questions about the Salt Shack Educational App below ⬇️

We are an educational geology and mineral science page and create a huge amount of educational content for free. If you are looking to support the page, consider subscribing.

#geology #crystals #minerals #mineralogy #educational

12 hours ago | [YT] | 9

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SALT SHACK - EDUCATION

Match the Amethyst to it's crystal system?

#crytalsystems #minerals #crystals #science #mineralogy

1 week ago | [YT] | 12

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SALT SHACK - EDUCATION

Someone recently asked me how you would find an honest seller in the crystal and mineral industry. And as opposed to you learning the hard way through experience, I'll teach you one simple technique: The dishonest waiter technique.

The story of the dishonest waiter who always gives the wrong change is a commonly used analogy, designed to show how intent can be reasonably inferred from repeated behaviour. A single instance of incorrect change may be an honest mistake, but when it happens consistently and always benefits the waiter, it becomes a pattern rather a mistake.

When confronted with a seller you ate considering trading with, or who seems eager to do business with you, simply asking them a series of questions you already know the answer to. Ideally questions where a lie or bending the truth would ultimately benefit the seller.

Do this a few times and gauge their response. If they repeatedly respond in a manner that assumes your ignorance but heightens their chance for a sale... you have just flushed out a seller you want to avoid.

A good example might be picking up a common heavily machined piece of material and asking whether or not it will go up in value. Obviously you assuming it will would motivate a sale, but these items are never going to increase in value above inflation, precisely because they are common materials and mass produced. Suggesting otherwise will point to one of two things: ignorance, but most likely dishonesty.

Never go into these conversations without a few dishonest waiter questions in your back pocket. Nothing will flush out a liar faster.

Another technique is to ask a more nuanced mineralogical question about the product that you also know the answer to: how does this form? why does it exhibit this morphology? etc. If they make something up, you have a dishonest seller. If they answer correctly, you at least have an experienced one. If they don't know, but admit they don't know (which isn't necessarily bad) you at least know you have someone who is willing to tell the truth... which is much more valuable.

By Luke J Timberlake
#sellers #minerals #blogs

1 week ago | [YT] | 25

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SALT SHACK - EDUCATION

SALT SHACK COMING SOON!

#app #mineralogy #education

1 week ago | [YT] | 14

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SALT SHACK - EDUCATION

🎯 Spot the Topaz

Photo credit: Thomas Spann 📷

#geology #crystals #minerals

1 week ago | [YT] | 20

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SALT SHACK - EDUCATION

Twinning in crystallography does not simply mean two crystals growing together. Rather, two (or sometimes three or even more) crystals grow in accordance with fixed ‘laws’. They are joined along one of the imaginary axes that run through a crystal and, as a result, share some lattice points at the molecular level, determined by the crystal system.

In cubic minerals there are three principal twinning laws. The most common in fluorite is the penetration twin, though fluorite also displays the ‘spinel law twin’. Another well-known penetration twin is the ‘iron cross law twin’, often found in pyrite. This type of twinning is referred to as growth twinning, as it occurs during the primary growth of the crystal.

The precise circumstances that give rise to twin growth are varied, and the true reasons remain something of an enigma. It may occur by chance, or because twin crystals require less energy to form. Factors such as sudden changes in pressure or temperature, the amount of available space, the saturation of element-rich fluids, the growth rate, and the presence of trace foreign elements can all influence the development of twin crystals.

#fluorite #crystals #minerals

BY PUFFINS & PIES