FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Ed Huskinson]

Yeah, well, that's why we're called "rock-lickers" by the rest of society. I'm 'way past the point of caring and lick them openly, although I've taken to carrying a spray bottle in my vehicle to spray things off, and only use the licker test to distinguish chrysocolla, some clays, and some zeolites. People freak when you take a little nibble and chew it, to differentiate between claystones, mudstones, and siltstones..

Another interesting one that works on some sulphide-looking specimens (well, ore specimens) is to give the rock a sharp rap with a hammer and then quickly take a whiff. If you smell garlic, odds are that the thing contains tellurium. It's weird, but kind of neat when it works, and you've won five bucks from your disbelieving doubtful Thomas of a field assistant.because the assays came back with Te values.

Keep up the good work and send us some pictures of your other rocks.

'sta luego

[Jason]

Hey ed does this licking test also work on cold metal in mid winter...hmm..:):):):)