Ringing a Stone

[John Graham <john@zzzzzzzzz>]

Any type of mechanical impact against something with an analysis of the
vibrations produced is a form of "seismometry". this is used for oil
exploration, using one or more sources of sound (explosives or
mechanical hammer impacts) and typically dozens or hundreds or ears
(geophones) to listen to the faint return sounds.

Ringing a stone with a hammer is no different, except for an impact that
has a faster rise time. The ears are pretty sensitive if trained to
discern a "ringing" or "bell like" or "clear" sound from a solid stone
compared to a dull sound from one with cracks or bedding planes.

Practice on a nice granite or basalt "river rock" and you should be able
to discern the classic homogeneous example.

Limestone or sandstone, struck perpendicular to the bedding plane, is
the opposite.

When stones are quarried they often contain "discontinuities" (cracks,
etc) on their surfaces, and may be quite solid on the whole. That takes
experience, and tapping all over the stone to produce a seasoned opinion.

Alabaster, often a wonderful soft stone for carving, rarely passes the
ringing test. That brings up the factors of speed of sound within the
stone and the chemistry and bonding of the grains of stone.

Personally, I tap a stone a few times and carve it. If it breaks, turn
it into a few "abstract" pieces and get on with life.

Demand nothing of nature if not a god.

--
GRAHAM, John