NDK
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Member since January 2009
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Post by NDK on Jan 7, 2011 19:24:32 GMT -5
I picked this up in the U.P. (Upper Michigan) last summer. It was dirty, but I could see a few sparkles in it, so what the heck, I kept it. I grabbed it today looking at a few pieces to cut to cab. It is heavier than it looks like it should be, so I thought maybe it's hematite. Well it's not, because the water turned black when I cut it. I would love it if someone could I.D. this piece for me. Thanks! Nate
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 7, 2011 20:09:52 GMT -5
From the look and the location, I would have said hematite too but it definitely as a red streak and turns the oil that color. Only stuff I've cut that turns the oil or water real black are minerals high in manganese. Am working a psilomelane ( trade names: crown of silver, black hematite or black malachite) cab right now and man it turns everything black but is polishing out bright silver metallic.....Mel
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
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Post by NDK on Jan 7, 2011 20:16:27 GMT -5
Thanks Mel. I cut a small piece of psilomelane right before this, but I think this was still turning the water a little black. Definitely not the heavy red you get from hematite. I have a piece with the glue drying, & I'll be cabbing in the morning. I hope it's not a dud. That sure would be a killjoy to my excitement and wonder.
Nate
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Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
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Post by Roan on Jan 7, 2011 20:21:00 GMT -5
I've found chunks of coal that looked like that -- right down to the red streak.
Eileen
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NDK
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Member since January 2009
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Post by NDK on Jan 7, 2011 20:24:08 GMT -5
That's interesting Eileen. I don't think it's coal though. Coal's quite light, isn't it?
Nate
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Post by beefjello on Jan 7, 2011 21:12:42 GMT -5
Hmm.. wish I knew. I'd call it Heavy Metal stone
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NDK
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 7, 2011 22:03:41 GMT -5
Rock on Brian! I have to eat my words though. I cabbed this bad boy up quick, and I think it does have some hematite in it, but something else too. The water was more of a brick red with a purpleish hue to it. Now I'm having some fun trying to photograph it... Nate Update: Photos aren't turning out, and it's got several fractures in it that filled with polish. This one will go in the tumble bucket and I'll have to try another piece someday.
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Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
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Post by Roan on Jan 8, 2011 0:45:22 GMT -5
That's interesting Eileen. I don't think it's coal though. Coal's quite light, isn't it? Nate I'd have to dig around to find it. It was washed up along VA Beach. I don't think it was that light -- pretty sure it was coal, though. I'll see if I can find it. Eileen
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 8, 2011 9:34:06 GMT -5
Nate: Most all the hematite that occurred along with the poppy jasper by our old ranch was definitely purplish in color rather than the more pure silver of some you see. Only the hematite crystals had the black/ silver color. The poppy area was heavily mineralized with lots of copper too so maybe the slight difference in color is due to the addition of copper to the metallic mix.....Mel
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Post by tandl on Jan 8, 2011 12:04:07 GMT -5
Did, does it smell like sulphur . Marcasite , pyrite , turn black and smell like sulphur.
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by MikeS on Jan 8, 2011 12:27:01 GMT -5
possibly some sort of pyrite?
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NDK
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Member since January 2009
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Post by NDK on Jan 8, 2011 16:12:49 GMT -5
I think Mel has got it. The cab's not really purplish, but the water was slightly. It did not smell at all when I cut or cabbed it. Here's a photo of it (my wife's camera works beter than mine ). I think there's something mixed in the middle, as it's a bit darker. But I'm guessing mostly hematite. And like I said, lots of fractures in it. The one running up the middle is all the way through. Oh well, gonna have to try another piece someday. Thanks for all your help everyone. Nate
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Post by rockmanken on Jan 8, 2011 19:50:14 GMT -5
Have some boytroidal brown hematite from Magnet Cove, Ark. that turns oil black/reddish purple when cut, but polishes up black and shiny. But, it does have some magnetite properties in it, also. Also, yours could have marcasite in it to give it that silvery sheen in the rough. Ken
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NDK
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 8, 2011 23:17:27 GMT -5
Thanks Ken. I'll look up the marcasite.
Nate
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