Ruri no Houseki - Vol. 1 Ch. 3 - Gold's Worth

[MangaDex]

 

[SuperOniichan]

This author's style seems like was made for a manga adaptation of Nibelungen or Lord of the Rings. I mean, I haven't seen such cool mountain and forest backgrounds in a long time.

 

[Serenata]

I see now!

 

[Oeconomist]

While crystal radios are classically made using pieces of galena for the semiconductor, pyrite offers the interesting advantage that, instead of moving the cat-hair to find a good contact point, one can simply alter the force with which the cat-hair is pressed to the pyrite.

 

[cryum]

Having the titles for what books to read more on is nice

 

[semi_truck]

the fanservice enjoyers are in for a treat next chapter

 

[BorguyThe64th]

Best chapter so far. It was fascinating to witness Ruri come to an understanding that even though some rocks like pyrite don't have significant monetary value, they have other unique aspects that make them worthwhile.

 

[Dealka97]

As a geologist, this chapter is the best so far--it rouses my geological mind. When Nagi was excited about the pentagonal dodecahedron pyrite (a.k.a. pyritohedron), I could feel the same excitement, because that small change in the geological map could mean something bigger. That pyrite form means it's the highest forming temperature a pyrite can have with a higher fluid saturation, which I can interpret as a closer heat source (magma/volcano) than was expected from that area. A closer source to magma means a higher chance for the true gold to form, as gold often forms near the top of an intermediate (dioritic) magma body. If they can finally find a locality that is dominated by pyritohedron pyrites, then they're probably quite close to a gold deposit.

Also, FYI, sometimes, even the fool's gold (pyrite) can have a trace amount of true gold, but it needs a high-tech extraction method.

 

[curvedtree]

Two chapters in a row makes Nagi officially a gyatt owner

As a geologist, this chapter is the best so far--it rouses my geological mind. When Nagi was excited about the pentagonal dodecahedron pyrite (a.k.a. pyritohedron), I could feel the same excitement, because that small change in the geological map could mean something bigger. That pyrite form means it's the highest forming temperature a pyrite can have with a higher fluid saturation, which I can interpret as a closer heat source (magma/volcano) than was expected from that area. A closer source to magma means a higher chance for the true gold to form, as gold often forms near the top of an intermediate (dioritic) magma body. If they can finally find a locality that is dominated by pyritohedron pyrites, then they're probably quite close to a gold deposit.

Also, FYI, sometimes, even the fool's gold (pyrite) can have a trace amount of true gold, but it needs a high-tech extraction method.

How realistic would you say is their field trips that they always find what they are looking for? Sure we are told that Nagi researches those things, but does that mean you will always find? TBH I grew curious about it and I am considering doing the same thing, watching the anime woken this mineralogy interest in me, I even started reading official documents released by the state I live in about the sort of minerals I can find here and where to find them, but since I am a noob I feel like I have to do some more reading before venturing out in the field.
Another thing, from this chapter Nagi convinces Ruri to rub her finger on the pyrite and smell it, do geologists also do the smell test? Not saying y'all smelling minerals always, but is it something real?

 

[Dealka97]

Two chapters in a row makes Nagi officially a gyatt owner

How realistic would you say is their field trips that they always find what they are looking for? Sure we are told that Nagi researches those things, but does that mean you will always find? TBH I grew curious about it and I am considering doing the same thing, watching the anime woken this mineralogy interest in me, I even started reading official documents released by the state I live in about the sort of minerals I can find here and where to find them, but since I am a noob I feel like I have to do some more reading before venturing out in the field.
Another thing, from this chapter Nagi convinces Ruri to rub her finger on the pyrite and smell it, do geologists also do the smell test? Not saying y'all smelling minerals always, but is it something real?

About 70% realistic, because most geological outcrops are buried and weathered away, though, if you read the next chapters, they didn't always find what they looked for in every chapter. If you're living in the US, you'll probably find the outcrops quite intact because of the relatively low yearly rainfall compared to Japan and tropical countries.

Also, for the smell test, it is real, but only for comparing some minerals with similar colors and appearances, like the ones in this chapter. Normally, we would scratch the rocks, test them with a magnet, or look at the minerals using a loupe when we are in the field. We even sometimes lick the rock, like when comparing a tuff to a siltstone, due to the similar grain size.

 

[curvedtree]

About 70% realistic, because most geological outcrops are buried and weathered away, though, if you read the next chapters, they didn't always find what they looked for in every chapter. If you're living in the US, you'll probably find the outcrops quite intact because of the relatively low yearly rainfall compared to Japan and tropical countries.

Also, for the smell test, it is real, but only for comparing some minerals with similar colors and appearances, like the ones in this chapter. Normally, we would scratch the rocks, test them with a magnet, or look at the minerals using a loupe when we are in the field. We even sometimes lick the rock, like when comparing a tuff to a siltstone, due to the similar grain size.

Thank you for replying, do you have any recommendation for a beginner? Maybe something you would like to know when you first started, but you know now.

 

[Dealka97]

Thank you for replying, do you have any recommendation for a beginner? Maybe something you would like to know when you first started, but you know now.

Geological methods mostly rely on the target geological outcrops. For example, if you want to visit a sedimentary formation, then you need a grain size card comparator to identify the rock's grain size, a geological hammer to chip off a sample from a bigger outcrop, and then a loupe to roughly identify the minerals. And then, if you want to visit a volcanic landform, an igneous intrusion, or a metamorphic formation, bring a loupe, a geological hammer (and a bigger one since these rocks are very hard to break off), a nail to scratch the rock, and a magnet to test the magnetism (mafic/basaltic rocks have a strong magnetism). If you're going alone, make sure the outcrop isn't that far from any settlements because some geological sites are quite dangerous (because of the terrain and wildlife threat), and don't forget to learn some basic geology before going. Or, a better suggestion, go to the site with a geologist friend or someone who at least knows the basics.

 

[curvedtree]

and a bigger one since these rocks are very hard to break off

Nagi's sledgehammer isn't an exaggeration then?

Or, a better suggestion, go to the site with a geologist friend or someone who at least knows the basics.

Damn... I don't know anyone like that and I don't know if an university would allow me to tag along with them. I wonder how I could make a geologist friend where I live haha

Anyway, thanks for the tips, I will see what I can do.

 

[Dealka97]

Nagi's sledgehammer isn't an exaggeration then?

Damn... I don't know anyone like that and I don't know if an university would allow me to tag along with them. I wonder how I could make a geologist friend where I live haha

Anyway, thanks for the tips, I will see what I can do.

Yep, I actually needed the sledgehammer since I studied a lot of volcanic rocks.

Another tip, you can visit some well-known geological sites, which often have their own information board or poster explaining their geological history. And, yes, you're welcome.

 

[semi_truck]

About 70% realistic, because most geological outcrops are buried and weathered away, though, if you read the next chapters, they didn't always find what they looked for in every chapter. If you're living in the US, you'll probably find the outcrops quite intact because of the relatively low yearly rainfall compared to Japan and tropical countries.

Also, for the smell test, it is real, but only for comparing some minerals with similar colors and appearances, like the ones in this chapter. Normally, we would scratch the rocks, test them with a magnet, or look at the minerals using a loupe when we are in the field. We even sometimes lick the rock, like when comparing a tuff to a siltstone, due to the similar grain size.

From my experience eating dirt as a child, the lick test is always the first one you do