You can search along the freshwater shores or riverbeds. [1] X Research source Flint is very durable and resistant to chemicals, so it often collects in the remaining soils as surrounding carbonate rocks erode. [2] X Research source While rocks like limestone erode and fine soil is carried downstream, small pebble deposits of flint and chert collect along the shores. Try other locations where there is a large variety of rocks present, such as a construction site or along a gravel road. Many times rocks are harvested from riverbeds for construction from all over so you might be surprised to find chert or flint pebbles just down the block. [3] X Research source
Flint was an ideal choice for creating tools and weapons. Flint can be made to form a blade that is actually sharper than steel, with a tip that is just the width of a few molecules. [4] X Research source If you find an arrowhead or sharp rock near an old tribal ground, you found some flint.
Look for discolorations on a piece of limestone. Usually flint or chert nodules will be a slightly darker shade than the surrounding limestone. [6] X Research source You can break these pieces out with the use of some tools and collect the flint. Grab an iron hammer and bust open some smaller rocks. If you notice some sparks when the hammer contacts the rock, there is likely some flint or quartz inside.
Other types of quartz to learn to identify that can also be used in place of flint could be carnelian, agate, bloodstone, jade and chalcedony. [9] X Research source Surrounding rocks can impact the appearance of flints. When flints are buried in chalk, a white patina or film can form over the flint. [10] X Research source
Flint nodules can appear in various smooth, rounded shapes embedded in chalk or limestone. When you find flint that has been embedded in a chalk bed, it is common to find an imprint of shells cast into the surface. [11] X Research source Look for rocks that have been split like broken glass. Flint fractures differently from many crystals. When the pieces come apart the tend to look like glass shards, with curves and sharper edges. [12] X Research source In addition to looking for natural nodules of flint, be sure to look for flint that has been worked into a shape. You can control the way flint splits easier than other rocks, which is another reason why people used to used flint to shape tools and weapons. Sometimes flint may have edges that seem to have been chipped away or have a point, indicating they have been used as a tool.
Be careful when striking glass with a rock. Using gloves to protect your hands is a good idea.
The “sparks” produced are actually just the tiny fragments of iron breaking off the iron surface. The sudden exposure to air generates a rapid oxidization where the fragment can not dissipate the heat as fast as it generates it. The spark is only a glowing piece of freshly exposed iron. [15] X Research source If the rock doesn’t have a very sharp edge, you will want to create one to test for sparks. To check the inside of a rock use a larger rock as a hammer to flake of pieces from the thinnest end of the rock. When striking your flint of metal, make sure the stone is dry, as a damp stone may not produce sparks. Other rocks, such as quartz, that have a hardness of seven on the Mohs Scale of Hardness will create sparks when struck against a carbon metal. If you are only looking for a rock which you can use to create sparks and start a fire, try learning what other rock types will also do the job.
