Department of Geosciences Front Office

Rick Aster

Department Head

322 Natural Resources

970-491-7606

rick.aster@colostate.edu

Rock or Specimen Identification

If you have a specimen (rock, mineral, gem, fossil, meteorite, etc.) that you would like us to analyze, please read the following carefully:

We do not provide certifications or appraisals. We only provide identification and information.

We do not accept and cannot be held responsible for any samples or specimen dropped off in our office; you must follow the procedure outlined below.

If you wish for one of our faculty to identify or otherwise analyze your specimen, email Geosciences@colostate.edu with the following information:

1. Location specimen was originally found (the more detail the better)
2. The weight of the specimen
3. Whether or not the specimen is magnetic
4. At least two photos which clearly demonstrate the size and key features of the specimen (this is best accomplished by photographing it next to a ruler, penny, dollar bill, or other standardized object)

We request that you be patient, as all of our faculty are teachers and their primary focus is on our students. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Do not send additional emails unless you have not heard back for more than two weeks.