12 Rocks
Rocks are more than just stones. They are the storytellers of Earth’s history, witnesses to over four billion years of our planet’s journey from molten beginnings to drifting continents. Every rock makes me wonder what it has seen and how it came to be.
Rocks are like puzzles, mysteries, or riddles waiting to be solved. Their colors, crystal shapes, hardness, and other features are all clues to the answers hidden within. Do your kids love riddles and mysteries as much as our students do?
The first time Ohmapi devoted an entire year to geology was in 2019 - 2020. That year opened my eyes to the wonders of Earth and how well geology works as a nature school topic. Our hands-on explorations from digging and identifying rocks in the field to growing and examining crystals under a microscope to making and visiting volcanoes, gave us the kind of experiential learning that kids love and thrive on.
Below is a list of 12 of my favorite rocks. It’s far from comprehensive; I have many more than twelve “favorites.” Narrowing it down was no small task, and if you’ve ever visited a rock shop, you probably feel the same…
Celestine: A beautiful, often sky-blue mineral made of strontium sulfate, valued for its crystal beauty and calming energy. This one can connect you to spirits on the other side. I keep it next to my bed to feel close to my loved ones who have passed as I sleep.
Obsidian: Volcanic glass with razor sharp edges and a shiny black surface. I love this because it’s really just “super-cooled” lava glass. It has a relatively short lifespan compared to most rocks. Over thousands of years, it loses its glassy properties and gradually crystallizes into a more typical rock. And one more reason to love it..it is healing and takes away negative energy. I keep this one next to my bed too.
Peridot: A gorgeous green gemstone believed to bring good luck. It forms deep in the Earth where there is just the right combination of heat and pressure to grow these brilliant crystals.
Sandstone: The rounded sandstones you find in places like Utah are especially beautiful.
Benitoite: California’s rare, brilliant blue state gem known for its sparkle and unique crystal structure. I don’t have this yet; it’s on my wish list!
Pumice: A light, porous volcanic rock that floats on water. I think that says it all…a rock that floats, what’s not to love?
Garnet: Garnet crystals most commonly form as dodecahedrons (12-sided) or trapezohedrons (24-sided)! It is usually deep red (comes in other colors too) and symbolizes strength and protection.
Chert: Smooth, fine-grained sedimentary rock. Similar to jasper in being microcrystalline, though sedimentary in origin. Historically, it was often used for making arrowheads and other tools.
Opal: Opal actually "contains water, which helps create its shimmering colors. It is like a rainbow frozen in stone.
Jasper: Vibrant, patterned chalcedony found in many colors. Microcrystalline and igneous in origin.
Moonstone: An iridescent gem that shifts colors as it catches the light, associated with intuition.
Gneiss: A high-grade metamorphic rock with striking bands of color. I like this one because, well… how can you not like a rock that’s “nice”?