For the price I think the kit works just fine. The kit includes a magnet, magnifying glass, streak plate, and several informational sheets. I read some of the previous reviews and yes the magnifying glass is small and the box rather flimsy but it is an introductory course and it’s the same magnifying glass, magnet, and streak plate I purchased at my university when studying geology. Each of the samples are relatively small but more than adequate to acquire the basic concepts of identifying varying types of rocks and minerals. I find it useful and a study guide to refresh my memory of each rock samples. I wasn’t sure what came in the kit when I bought it so I listed all of the items below. There are some samples I would have preferred not to have and others that I would have liked to see in an introductory kit, however, again for the price it works just fine. If you desire larger samples or a sturdier box – shell out more money and look for a higher priced item.
Minerals:
Talc, gypsum, calcite, fluorite, apatite-triphyllite, feldspar, quartz, beryl-topaz, corundum, feldspar variety microcline, hematite, gypsum, limonite, halite, sphalerite, barite, obsidian, pyrite, mica variety muscovite, mica variety biotite, calcite, dolomite, amphibole variety hornblende, feldspar variety plagioclase, kaolinite, olivine, pyroxene (augite), garnet
Ores:
Sulfur, graphite, kyanite, vermiculite, bauxite, pyrolusite, malachite
Igneous Rocks:
Pumice, scoria, basalt, felsite (rhyolite), granite, pegmatite, syenite, diorite, basalt porphyry, gabbro, trachyte porphyry, pitchstone, andesite
Sedimentary Rocks:
Arkose, sandstone, fossiliferous limestone, bituminous coal, oolitic limestone, compact limestone, chalk, limestone, travertine, conglomerate, shale, oolite, oil shale, red sandstone
Metamorphic Rocks:
Slate, marble, quartzite, hornfels, mica schist, chlorite schist, phyllite, gneiss, anthracite coal
| Product Dimensions | 19.3 x 11 x 1.6 inches; 3.02 Pounds |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 3.01 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Geosciences Industries |
| ASIN | B008AK79LA |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | 13357 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | August 31, 2011 |
