Geology Hub

04/09/2026

TAKE YOUR GEOLOGY SKILLS FURTHER!

Whether you're an A-level geology student, university student, teacher, aspiring geologist or simply passionate about rocks, Geology Hub has resources to help you develop your geological knowledge and practical skills.

A-LEVEL GEOLOGY TUITION
I offer flexible online geology tutoring from GCSE through to A-level and beyond, with many years of experience teaching (38 years ) geology, mineralogy and petrology as a University lecturer/ more recently, A-level tutor. (fully DBS Checked). DM for further information.

NEW:GEOLOGICAL THIN SECTIONS PREPARATION COURSE
My new online course draws on over 40 years of practical experience preparing geological thin sections. It provides detailed, step-by-step instruction covering the complete process from selecting and cutting your rock sample through grinding and polishing to producing a finished thin section ready for microscopic examination.

The course consists of two modules (1. the stages of section preparation. 2. Advance techniques ) both includes numerous instructional videos demonstrating the techniques in practice, plus ongoing support after purchase. https://geologyhubuk.systeme.io/86b3de7f

DIGITAL DOWNLOADABLE GEOLOGY RESOURCES & ROCK SETS
My Etsy shop also has a growing range of digital geological products designed to help students and enthusiasts identify the most common rock-forming minerals, including useful identification guides, worksheets and microscope resources.

I also have teaching rock sets available - ideal for geology students, teachers and anyone wanting to build their own collection of geological specimens.

👉 Explore the geological resources available in my Etsy shop:
rockandskyart Etsy Shop https://rockandskyart.etsy.com

Learn the skills. Preserve the science. Discover more beneath the microscope.

Shop Geology Hub UK by RockandskyArt located in Orpington, United Kingdom.

03/09/2026

With over 40 years of experience preparing geological thin sections, I have developed and refined the practical techniques needed to turn rock samples into high-quality sections ready for examination under the microscope. This course brings that experience together into a detailed, step-by-step playbook, covering the complete preparation process from selecting and cutting samples through to grinding, polishing and producing the finished thin section. Numerous instructional videos demonstrate the techniques in practice, allowing you to see exactly how each stage is carried out and helping you develop the confidence and skills needed to prepare your own geological thin sections by hand.
The geological thin section preparation course (with post course support) now available online for £500

The course includes 2 modules of 6 sections with details instructions and video clips.

Module 1: Covers the 5 stages of standard thin section preparation.

Module 2: Covers Advance Sectioning techniques for the more challenging samples.

https://geologyhubuk.systeme.io/8d5b0260

31/08/2026

13/08/2026

I have to stream a live petrological session, using my petrogical microscope to geologist in another time zone. So really concerned about a annoying time delay/lag between moving my stage on the microscope and recipient seeing it! I know from personal experience when teaching igneous petrological at home during the Covid lockdowns have difficult this is. Although, most of the online students were UK based yet we still had this lag/time difference, which I found detrimental to the session. Since then things have improved, I found with a great app specifically designed for online streaming (4K) via a microscope (OBS 4K) and so far I can't detect a time lag at all. Tested it with a colleague in Ireland and worked really well but we were both in the same time zone. I'm looking forward actually trying to for real across several times zones. And they say you can't teach old dogs new tricks! The video quality is extremely good, posted this short clip of Azurite (brought from my local mineral fossil shop while in France), clearly shows nicely formed crystal of azurite, showing revealing a stunning zoning.

23/07/2026

Just started on Linktree, from advice from my social media guru! it is allows links across all the platforms I used. Brings together my Etsy, eBay, instagram and website on one app. As a Boomer! I’m so far impressed, so going to see how it goes.

Andy Beard, geologist, ex-university lecturer passionate about making petrology easy to learn, through digital petrology resources, interactive study guides.

20/07/2026

Decided to put Al to the test. Visited my local fossil and mineral shop here in SE France. So, simple question, please identify these. The response below was spot on.

Top left – Orthoceras fossil
A polished fossil of an extinct straight-shelled nautiloid (genus Orthoceras or a closely related orthocone).
The white segmented shell is preserved within black limestone.
Most polished specimens like this come from Ordovician limestones in Morocco.
This is a genuine fossil, although the black matrix is often enhanced during polishing.
Top centre – Orthoceras fossil
Another polished Orthoceras fossil.
This specimen preserves a shorter section of the shell.
It is the same type of fossil as the first piece.
Top right – Azurite
The vivid royal-blue colour is characteristic of azurite, a secondary copper mineral.
The botryoidal (grape-like) crystal habit also fits azurite.
It may have a small amount of white calcite or pale host rock attached.
Less likely possibilities are synthetic pigment or dyed material, but from the image it looks most consistent with natural azurite.
Bottom left – Larvikite (often sold as "Black Labradorite")
A polished dark grey igneous rock composed mainly of feldspar.
It commonly displays subtle blue or silver flashes when tilted in the light (not obvious from this angle).
This stone is frequently mistaken for true labradorite.
Bottom right – Unakite
The mottled salmon-pink and olive-green colours are diagnostic.
Pink = potassium feldspar.
Green = epidote.
This is a metamorphosed granitic rock commonly sold as a tumbled gemstone.
Overall identification
Top left: Orthoceras fossil
Top centre: Orthoceras fossil
Top right: Azurite
Bottom left: Larvikite (likely)
Bottom right: Unakite
I'm reasonably confident in all of these identifications. The only one I'd rate as slightly less certain is the bottom-left stone, since its characteristic iridescence can't be seen from a single photograph. If you can photograph that stone under a bright light at different angles, I can confirm whether it's larvikite or another dark ornamental stone.

17/07/2026

Everyone is talking about the AI skills shortage but no one is talking about the geology one.

Since 2014, UK enrolment on geoscience degrees has dropped by 43% (https://www.geolsoc.org.uk › university-geoscience-uk). Universities are closing or merging geology departments and entire degree courses are disappearing. This doesn’t include the closure of OCR A-Level geology. From 2028, only one exam board will be offering A-Level Geology to the next generation of inspiring geologist!

However...
We need geologists to build houses.
We need geologists for clean water.
We need geologists for carbon capture.
We need geologists for renewable energy.
We need geologists to find the critical minerals that power every electric car and phone.

The people who understand the ground beneath our feet are quietly disappearing. If we don't inspire the next generation now, who will be left to solve tomorrow's biggest environmental and engineering challenges?
Geology doesn't have an image problem; it has a visibility problem.
As a semi-retired geologist, I feel it's my responsibility to shine a light on a profession that literally underpins everything we build, drink, mine and protect.

If I can inspire just one young person to choose geology, it'll be worth it.