Rock Tumbler/Polisher Kit
Manufactured by Lortone (Model 3A), this is an excellent way to start or wrap up your
"Rocks & Minerals" study unit. Transform dull, rough rocks into smooth,
shiny, polished stones suitable for classroom giveaways or simple jewelry! Please
note that not all rocks can be tumble polished. Trying to tumble sandstone, shale or
limestone for example, will only result in a "soup" of muddy water and
sand. The best candidates for tumble polishing are rocks such as agates, jaspers,
petrified wood, amethyst, jade, rhodonite, sodalite, obsidian, etc. See "Mixed
Tumbling Rocks" below. Comes with electric motor/shaft support base, high quality
water tight rubber tumbling barrel, grit kit (see below), a bag of assorted rough rock and
instruction book. High quality Lortone Rotary Rock Tumblers are quiet, durable
grinding and polishing machines, capable of operating 24 hours a day for many years.
(It will take 4 to 6 weeks to grind and polish a barrel of stones - 1 to 2 pounds
or so.) One year manufacturer's warranty.
TUMB.01 $119.95 per kit
Grit Kit
Refill grits for Rock Tumbler (above). Contains coarse and fine grit, pre-polish and
polish media, as well as plastic pellets for cushioning fragile tumbling loads. Enough for
1 or 2 complete tumbling loads for above tumbler.
TUMB.02 $9.95 per kit
Mixed Tumbling Rocks
A refill of "fresh" rocks for the tumbler described above. Package
contains approximately one pound of rough broken rocks, suitable for tumble
polishing. Contains a variety of rock types, colours and sizes. May include:
agates, jaspers, quartz, etc.
ROCK.35 Tumbling Mix $7.95 per
package
Fossil Shark Teeth
Real fossil shark's teeth, black in colour, imported from Florida. Miocene age. Larger
teeth are impressive, but may not be complete with "root". Smaller teeth have a
nicer shape & are more likely to be complete. Nearly all will show some natural
rounding caused by erosion. Why pay big bucks for these in Banff or at fancy stores? Our
prices are much more reasonable.
SHRK.07 Medium (12 to 30 mm) $0.50 each
SHRK.08 Small (up to 12 mm) $0.25 each
SHRK.09 Various sizes (mostly slightly larger, more well-formed
specimens) choice grade $2.00 each
Fossil Shark's Tooth Excavation Blocks
We know teachers want to have exciting, hands-on activities for their students, but don't
always have the time or resources to prepare materials that capture students' interest in
science. We hope this Fossil Excavation Block will provide a jump start for that interest.
Excavation of fossils from the bedrock in Alberta normally requires a permit from the
Alberta government, but now you can give your students the thrill of actually
"digging" their own fossil, just like a real paleontologist! These are blocks of
"pseudo-rock" (semi-hard plaster/sand mixture), with a real
Miocene age fossil shark's tooth embedded in the centre of the block. (The fossils are
imported from Florida and/or Morocco.) Students "excavate" their fossil with a
simple tool to remove the fossil completely, or once exposed, leave the shark's tooth half
embedded for a more authentic look. Also available in sets of 12 for a ready-to-teach
lesson or an emergency lesson for your substitute teacher.
FOSL.02 Single block $2.00 each
FOSL.03 Set of 12 w/Teacher's Guide, scraping sticks $15.95/set
16 Specimen Rock Collection
Samples are approximately 2 cm across, unmounted, numbered and come in a sectioned
cardboard box. Includes a study guide, identification key, steel nail and 5X
magnifier. Set contains granite, diorite, rhyolite, basalt, obsidian, pumice, shale,
sandstone, conglomerate, limestone, fossiliferous limestone, chert, bituminous coal,
marble, gneiss and schist.
ROCK.01 $24.95/set
30 Specimen Rock Collection:
Samples are approximately 2 cm across, unmounted, numbered and come in a sectioned
cardboard box. Includes a study guide, identification key, steel nail and 5X
magnifier. Set contains granite (red), granite (gray), diorite, gabbro, rhyolite,
rhyolite porphyry, basalt, andesite, obsidian, tuff, pumice, shale, sandstone, arkose,
conglomerate, limestone, fossiliferous limestone, dolostone, chert, coal (bituminous),
rock gypsum, coal (anthracite), serpentine, phyllite, schist, slate, quartzite, marble,
gneiss and hornfels.
ROCK.02 $39.95/set
16 Specimen Mineral Collection
Samples are approximately 2 cm across, unmounted, numbered and come in a sectioned
cardboard box. Includes a study guide, identification key, steel nail, small streak
plate and 5X magnifier. Set contains sulfur, galena, pyrite, magnetite, hematite,
halite, fluorite, calcite, azurite, barite, selenite, quartz, potassium feldspar, talc,
muscovite mica, and garnet.
MNRL.10 $24.95/set
30 Specimen Mineral Collection:
Samples are approximately 2 cm across, unmounted, numbered and come in a sectioned
cardboard box. Includes a study guide, identification key, small streak plate, steel
nail and 5X magnifier. Contains samples of sulfur, graphite, galena, chalcopyrite,
pyrite, magnetite, chromite, hematite, bauxite, halite, fluorite, calcite, azurite,
barite, selenite, quartz, quartz crystal, amethyst, silicified wood, potassium feldspar,
plagioclase feldspar, serpentine, talc, muscovite mica, biotite mica, hornblende, augite,
tourmaline, olivine and garnet.
MNRL.11 $39.95/set
See Rentals section for information on renting our beautiful 30 piece rock and mineral set with 4 to 5 cm specimens.
Individual Mineral Samples
This list represents what we have on hand at the time of publishing. Additional
mineral types will be added as they become available. Please call or fax for an
update. Samples vary in size, but most are approximately 3 cm across.
MNRL.02 Quartz (crystal, small) $2.00 each
MNRL.13 Halite $1.00 each
MNRL.14 Magnetite, small bag or vial of chips and sand-sized
particles $1.00 each (for each bag or vial, not each individual bit,
silly)
MNRL.15 Mica (var. muscovite) $1.00 each
MNRL.16 Quartz (massive) $1.00 each
MNRL.18 Galena $1.00 each
MNRL.19 Pyrite $1.00 each
MNRL.20 Hematite $1.00 each
MNRL.21 Fluorite $1.00 each
MNRL.22 Calcite $1.00 each
MNRL.24 Barite $1.00 each
MNRL.25 Gypsum (var. alabaster) $1.00 each
MNRL.26 Amethyst $1.00 each
MNRL.27 Feldspar (orthoclase/potash/potassium feldspar)
$1.00 each
MNRL.30 Talc/Soapstone $1.00 each
MNRL.31 Feldspar (undifferentiated, pink) $1.00
each
MNRL.32 Hornblende $1.00 each
MNRL.35 Olivine $1.00 each
MNRL.36 Garnet $1.00 each
MNRL.38 Mica (var. biotite) $1.00 each
MNRL.39 Graphite $1.00 each
MNRL.40 Dolomite-Ankerite $1.00 each
MNRL.42 Rose Quartz $1.00 each
Individual Rock Samples
This list represents what we have on hand at the time of publishing. Additional rock
types will be added as they become available. Please call or fax for an update.
Samples vary in size, but most are approximately 3 cm across.
Mineral Test Kit
Contains the following: unglazed white porcelain streak plate to check streak colour;
glass scratch plate, iron nail and copper penny to test for hardness; 30 ml 10%
hydrochloric acid to test for carbonates; magnet; magnifying glass and Basic Property
Guide, all in a small cloth carrying pouch. Individual components available
separately.
MNRL.04 $5.95 each
Streak Plates
Unglazed white porcelain tile, in two sizes, used to help determine the colour of a
mineral's streak, a diagnostic property.
MNRL.05 47 X 47 mm (about 2 X 2 inches) $1.00 each
MNRL.09 23 X 23 mm (about 1 X 1 inch) $0.50 each
MNRL.41 23 X 23 mm (about 1 X 1 inch), strip of 12 $3.95
per strip
Glass Plate
Square glass tile, about 2 X 2 inches, used to help determine the hardness of a mineral,
one of it's diagnostic properties. Edges and corners ground for safety.
MNRL.07 $1.00 each
Hydrochloric Acid
Ten percent solution of hydrochloric acid, 30 ml in a squeeze dropper bottle. Used
to test for the presence of carbonate minerals.
CHEM.12a $3.00 each
Cloth Sample Bags
Designed for collecting geological samples, but could be used for any number of purposes.
Simple cream-coloured cotton(?) cloth bag, 2 sizes available, string closure, large
sewn-on tag for sample notes. Makes a great marble bag! The label on the bag
is sewn onto the side of the bag, and sticks out like a flag on a pole. The label is
approximately 2 X 3 inches, white, and made of an untearable plastic/paper material that
is easy to write on with most pens or a permanent marker.
BAG.01 10 X 15 cm (4 X 6 inches), approximately 300 ml
volume, single $0.50 each
BAG.02 10 X 15 cm (4 X 6 inches), bundle of 25 $11.95/bundle
BAG.03 12 X 18 cm (5 X 7 inches), approximately 600 ml
volume, single $0.75 each
BAG.04 12 X 18 cm (5 X 7 inches), bundle of 25
$16.95/bundle
BAG.05 20 X 28 cm (8 X 11 inches), approximately 2500 ml
volume, single $1.30 each
BAG.06 20 X 28 cm (8 X 11 inches), bundle of 25
$29.95/bundle
Geodes
Semi-spherical rock specimens, 2 to 2.5 cm diameter (about the size of a large marble).
They don’t look like much from the outside, but crack them open with a hammer
or cut them with a diamond saw, and you find that most are hollow, often with beautiful
crystals lining the inside. Sometimes you get a dud, but even these can be filled
with a form of agate, often showing banded colours. Lots of fun, but make sure the
students wear safety glasses when pounding away on them. It’s also a good idea
to wrap the geode in a rag or strong paper bag before commencing the pummeling.
Sorry, but we cannot guarantee the contents or lack of same within the geodes.
ROCK.39 $1.50 each
Lodestone
The original magnet! Naturally-occurring iron-rich rock that is actually magnetic!
Will pick up staples, gather iron filings, and deflect compass needles.
Individual pieces approx. 2 to 3 cm across.
ROCK.04 $1.00 each
Pumice
Very unusual igneous rock! Produced when molten lava formed with a "froth"
on it, then cooled. The millions of air pockets within this rock actually allow some
specimens to float on water! Note that denser specimens do not necessarily float.
Caution is necessary, as some pieces have sharp edges. Larger pieces
(fist-sized and bigger) are also available, based on a weight price of $0.50 per 100
grams.
ROCK.05 $1.00 each (Standard 2 to 3 cm piece, may or may not float on
water. Hey, it's a natural product, I can't help it!)
TOPS Module #23 - Rocks & Minerals
You don’t need exotic rocks and expensive minerals to teach Rocks and Minerals.
Granite and basalt, plus coarse sand with flecks of mica are your most exotic
requirements. Your students will learn from those samples, then extend this
knowledge to common rocks they find in their own back yards. They will identify the
3 basic rock types - igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic - and further subdivide these
into 12 distinct groups based on geological formation. An egg carton organizes
everything into a unique collection of personal discovery and learning experience.
Book of 36 lessons, originally written for grades 6 to 12, but many lessons can be
simplified for younger grades.
TOPS.23 Rocks & Minerals $26.00
The Game of Space
This game is your starship to discovery as you voyage to distant stars, encounter Earth's
planetary neighbours, gaze upon galaxies and nebulae hundreds of light-years away, relive
the fabled past through the mighty deeds of heroes & heroines of ancient sky lore, and
finally embark upon humankind's greatest quest - venturing deeper into the vast,
mysterious universe! Played similarly to GAME.02 below, but has questions about
Stars,
Planets,
Astronomy,
Constellations and
Exploration.
For 2 to 8 players, ages 10 through adult.
GAME.01 $16.95 each
The Game of Earth
The toss of a die determines whether you'll be quizzed about Earth's
Environment,
Atmosphere,
Rocks,
Tectonics, or
Hydrosphere.
Four challenging levels permit players of different ages and abilities to join together in
unraveling the fascinating mysteries of our planet. Be first to correctly answer one
question in each of the five categories, and win! For 2 to 8 players, ages 10 through
adult.
GAME.02 $16.95 each
The Game of Ocean
Your ticket to adventure as you probe the oceans depths, sail turbulent seas, witness
fascinating relationships between the ocean environment and its creatures, meet its
awesome inhabitants, and chart a course to far and distant shores. Played similarly to
GAME.02 above, but question categories are:
Oceanography,
Circulation,
Ecology,
Animals and
Navigation.
For 2 to 8 players, ages 10 through adult.
GAME.03 $16.95 each