Has someone given you a mineral ID of Leaverite? This article explains what it means…
Leaverite is one of the most abundant minerals on earth and that is because it doesn’t really exist. Great. Now let’s make that sentence make sense.
Geologists, archaeologists, rockhounds, gem collectors, and miners the world over are all familiar with the term “Leverite.” When we come across this mineral, we tend to bypass it for other things. But what is leaverite and have you found some? Let’s talk about leverite rock.
What is Leverite Rock?
Leverite is not a single mineral. It is a term used to describe any rock/mineral/crystal that we might purposefully leave behind while we are crystal hunting or fossicking. The idea is that we should “leave” the rock because it isn’t worth anything and has no collector value.
So if you happen to go online to a mineral identification forum and post pictures of your finds, and if you are told you have leaverite, it simply means that in their opinion you should have left it behind.
Where does the phrase Leaverite come from?
Legend holds that “Leaverite” is an old builder’s term. The idea is that the rock in questions is too big, heavy, or otherwise difficult to move. Instead, the builder will “leave ‘er right there” rather than attempting to move it.
In mineral collecting, 'leaving her right there' applies to anything you don’t personally find interesting. And what you find interesting might not be interesting to everyone else.
What to do if someone ID’s your rock as leaverite?
We come across examples of leverite every day of the week, but we would never advise someone that their find was leverite since it is a little cheeky. We like to be cheeky along with the next person of course, but not where it involves disrespect. If someone has gone to the effort of hunting for rocks then they are displaying the keenness needed to become a true rockhound – and that effort should never be punished.
Besides, a true geologist will give you an in-depth answer as to what minerals might be present in your rock, rather than dismissing your request for an ID. Our advice? Ignore the leaverite comments and listen to the real geologists.
Examples of leaverite
The Stone circle have come across multiple examples of leverite. In fact, we encounter about twenty times as much leaverite as we find leaverwrongs.
Some examples might include a lovely piece of sandstone which is striped with different layers. It’s beautiful, and we might take it for the mineral cabinet, but it wouldn’t be worth anything.
Hagstones can be made from the simplest types of stone and they represent a conundrum. To a geologist they may be uninteresting. To a rock collector they are trinkets. To the superstitious, they represent access to the hidden world of magic and fae. Perspective plays a large part in determining whether or not a rock is leaverite.
Iron concretions are cool. They are usually nice round, hollow minerals when we fish them out of the river. Again, these look interesting but don’t have real monetary value.
Anything can be leaverite, from granite to quartz to basalt. However, just because a rock has no monetary value doesn’t mean it’s of no value to you. If you like it, if it makes you happy, if it feels right in your hand? Then take it home with you.
We are the rock movers. The stones can’t move themselves.
Happy hunting!
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@KatrionaWrites would move into a cave if it had internet. Reward her dedication by Buying her a Coffee or visiting www.katrionamacmillan.co.uk. Otherwise you can help by reading more on The Stone Circle’s Rock Blog. Every eyeball counts.