# Collect or Identify Specimens

Part of the Geology Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/geology/guide/index.md)

*4. Mineral Resources*

> **4c3.** Do ONE of the following:

You must choose exactly one of these two paths. Both strengthen your observation skills, but they ask you to show them in different ways.

## Your Options

- **[Req 4c3a — Build a 10-Specimen Collection](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/geology/guide/req4c3a/)**: Gather and label ten rocks or minerals, record where each came from, and identify class, origin, composition, and properties. You will gain a personal reference collection.
- **[Req 4c3b — Identify 15 Specimens](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/geology/guide/req4c3b/)**: Work with your counselor to identify fifteen rocks and minerals. You will gain more direct practice recognizing specimens accurately.

## How to Choose

**Collection or Identification?** — Which path fits you better?

- [ ] **Choose 4c3a if** you like organizing, labeling, and keeping a set of specimens.
- [ ] **Choose 4c3b if** you want more guided identification practice without building a permanent collection.
- [ ] **What you gain:** 4c3a builds recordkeeping and classification; 4c3b builds fast observation and comparison skills.

> **Tip**
>
> If you already have safe, legal access to specimens from home, club meetings, or approved field trips, the collection path may be easier. If not, the identification path is a strong alternative.

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- Previous: [What Makes a Mineral](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/geology/guide/req4c2/index.md)
- Next: [Build a 10-Specimen Collection](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/geology/guide/req4c3a/index.md)