the variety of rock sounds

[CityDweller]

My bro and I have liked to collect rocks since we were kids. Idk how, but he started to pay closer attention to all sorts of non visual clues, from the heft of them to how the surface feels when he's touching them. But what's really caught him lately is the sound.

My bro experimented on Jade and petrified wood. Turned out they produce these really distinct ringing sounds when you hold them just right and give them a little tap (it's like they've got their own little song).

And then he got the rhyolites, which make this raspy, dry, almost cardboard (like sound when you run your fingers across them), really gives you a clue about how porous they are.

I've even heard old prospectors talk about the specific sounds their tools make when they strike paydirt and hit veins of different materials.

There's the sound when you put the rock to the wheel, the grinding sound, and how it changes depending on the pressure and as you work your magic on it.

It'd be right up my alley to hear from some experienced rockhounds on this topic. Do you guys have sounds have stuck with you?

 

[jay2025son]

My bro and I have liked to collect rocks since we were kids. Idk how, but he started to pay closer attention to all sorts of non visual clues, from the heft of them to how the surface feels when he's touching them. But what's really caught him lately is the sound.

My bro experimented on Jade and petrified wood. Turned out they produce these really distinct ringing sounds when you hold them just right and give them a little tap (it's like they've got their own little song).

And then he got the rhyolites, which make this raspy, dry, almost cardboard (like sound when you run your fingers across them), really gives you a clue about how porous they are.

I've even heard old prospectors talk about the specific sounds their tools make when they strike paydirt and hit veins of different materials.

There's the sound when you put the rock to the wheel, the grinding sound, and how it changes depending on the pressure and as you work your magic on it.

It'd be right up my alley to hear from some experienced rockhounds on this topic. Do you guys have sounds have stuck with you?

Hey, that is a great observation your bro made. I have definitely noticed that, too, with different stones. For me, the clear ring of a good agate when I tap it just so before slabbing is always music to my ears.

 

[Forthehood]

Funny you brought this up, sound is really an underrated sense in rockhounding and you almost don't need to look after a while; the sound tells you when youre right on track, it's feedback, like the rocks talking back.

 

[Trizie]

My bro and I have liked to collect rocks since we were kids. Idk how, but he started to pay closer attention to all sorts of non visual clues, from the heft of them to how the surface feels when he's touching them. But what's really caught him lately is the sound.

My bro experimented on Jade and petrified wood. Turned out they produce these really distinct ringing sounds when you hold them just right and give them a little tap (it's like they've got their own little song).

And then he got the rhyolites, which make this raspy, dry, almost cardboard (like sound when you run your fingers across them), really gives you a clue about how porous they are.

I've even heard old prospectors talk about the specific sounds their tools make when they strike paydirt and hit veins of different materials.

There's the sound when you put the rock to the wheel, the grinding sound, and how it changes depending on the pressure and as you work your magic on it.

It'd be right up my alley to hear from some experienced rockhounds on this topic. Do you guys have sounds have stuck with you?

I love the sound of any two smooth crystals grinding on each other. Oops. Is that the appropriate term to use? I don't know. I can't explain it. It sounds super magical (but that's if you don't hear the screeching scratch). I just really love the sound of it hitting each other.

 

[SleezyPeezy19]

Right, different rocks really do have their own sounds. Even the oldtimers swear by the sound their tools make when they hit something good. Its a pretty cool part of rockhounding.

 

[Dunam1s]

I've had a few pieces of flint and quartz that sang when tapped just right, like a little chime buried inside, the wheel sounds too… sharp at first, then softer as the shape comes alive

 

[5hiny5ideUp]

I'm really impressed with your bro's rock sound skills,it's like they whisper to him. Your descriptions of agate ringing and crystal grinding were spot on. Sound in rockhounding doesn't get enough credit. The rocks kinda talk back, definitely some of the best feedback you can get out there

 

[marziapie]

Ahhhh, I feel this. There's something kinda magical about that ring off good jade or the soft scrape of rhyolite. Like it makes you listen closer every time! Agree with @5hiny5ideUp here too. Your bro is a legend.