Australia's Science Forum

Hi Guys
Can anybody tell me where you get the numbers that appear on the rock samples.
e.g - quartzite is no.79.
I cant find it anywhere or is it something that an old labbie did at our school a million years ago.
Thanks Rhonda

Hi Rhonda,
Yes your numbering system would have been done quite some time back, probably from some obscure and now defunct textbook. Either keep the numbers as they already are or renumber for your own convenience. If you have a copy of a rocks and minerals identification book perhaps use the numbering system that occurs in the book. I have a number of rock samples which have two or three separate numbering systems on them. As long as you put all the same samples in the one container it is not a problem.

Lyn.

I Have list fron Nov 1986, perhaps when it was first done.

1. Biotite Mica
2. Calcite
3.Olivine
4.talc
5. Coal
6. Granite
7. Basalt
8. Marble
9. Felsic Igneous rocks 1 Pegmatite & Rhyolite
10. Felsic igneous Rocks II Grandiorite, Porphyry, & Pumice
I think it would be better if I fax you a copy.

Perhaps you could send me your fax number.

Thank you To much to type in, sorry

My list is the same as Sue's. It comes from the "Geological and Mining Museum" (Dept of Mineral resources). The title on the sheet is "Geological Specimen Bulk Pack", available from the old Government Stores and I guess the numbers would be an aid to ordering new specimens. Under this scheme, Quartsite would be 18(a).

My EES Teacher insists that I label all new specimens according to this list.

As the Gov't Stores no longer exist and Q-stores does not seem to stock rocks, we get our rocks from Serrata which does not have a specific numbering system. So the specific numbering system is redundant as far as ORDERING rocks is concerned. However it is better than NO numbering system in that, if you are a Non Geologist (like me) and can't identify a rock visually, at least we can identify it by its number. In that case, ANY numbering system would do (including the one possibly invented by your old labbie). As long as each type of rock has its own identifying mark, you will be able to tell your limestone from your quartz and your granite from your gniess!

My list only goes up to 25 (Basic Fossil Set), although several numbers have sub catagories (eg set 25 goes from 25(a) to 25(f). It would be interesting to know if your numbering system is any more comprehensive?
How do other labbies identify their rocks?

I hope this is of help.

regards
Ian

Hi All,
it is wonderful how these traditions start, isn't it??
Our geological specimens are numbered after the old Students Geological Specimen Set as supplied by the redundant Geological & Mining Museum, Department of Mineral Resources from The Rocks in Sydney.
It is numbered from 1(quartz) to 36 (plant fossil), including sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks.
For replacement samples we use Geological Specimen Supplies in Turramurra, NSW.
Cheers,
~Robyn

Thanks Everybody
I will write up a list of numbers and compare.
My fax number is:9482-2525
Attention Rhonda.

Thanks Ian and Sue
I got your faxes (both were the same hoorah)
I'm impressed-very prompt.
see you at St Mary's
Rhonda