StoneGolem
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since March 2012
Posts: 78
|
Post by StoneGolem on Sept 14, 2012 0:28:18 GMT -5
Before I begin with the hollow crystals, let me describe the host rock. The host rock was in a layer of rock just above a layer of perlite. The host rock itself looked like a conglomeration of intersecting gray bubbles like this Bubbles _1 by Earth n Stuff, on Flickr there are many hollows in the rocks with either chalcedony or common opal or both. In a void in some of that rock I found this and it peaked my interest because it was different from anything else we were finding. hollow crystal 2 by Earth n Stuff, on Flickr #1 is an intact crystal, and #2 is where the broken crystal in the next pic fits. Also it is obvious these crystals aren't totally hollow, as you may see in image #2. Where the crystal broke away there is some fiberous looking material inside. hollow crystal 4 by Earth n Stuff, on Flickr This is about 1/8 inch long. The crystals white and have the look and texture of porcelain. Some of the other bubbles are half full with chalcedony and a very thin layer of opal and this seems to be the same (in look and texture) but I have never even heard of opal like this. On the other side of the rock is this weathered crystal showing the "layers" of this crystal. This one is about 4 or 5 times as large as the other 2. hollow crystal 1 by Earth n Stuff, on Flickr So what do you guys think? Thanks in advance for any insight you may give. Sorry about the quality of the photos but they are all I have right now.
|
|
Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
|
Post by Sabre52 on Sept 14, 2012 8:29:06 GMT -5
Calcite in many forms, is common in geodes. Comes in bladed and dogtooth type crystals and is easily eroded away by acidic waters and often replaced with chalcedony to form pseudomorphs. I'd guess the crystals you are dealing with are partially eroded calcite....Mel
|
|
Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
|
Post by Don on Sept 14, 2012 10:02:58 GMT -5
I have found similar pieces. agate pseudomorphs after calcite crystals, resulting in a crystal shaped shell.
|
|
|
Post by kap on Sept 14, 2012 15:10:00 GMT -5
I find the Calcite pseudomorphs on Quartz crystals From Diamond Hill S.C. that look like that also.
|
|
herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
|
Post by herchenx on Sept 14, 2012 15:31:32 GMT -5
I found a bunch of calcite last week and several pieces had hollows like that.
|
|
StoneGolem
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since March 2012
Posts: 78
|
Post by StoneGolem on Sept 19, 2012 23:36:25 GMT -5
Thanks guys, seems like a consensus.
I just love finding unexpected things like that.
Thanks again for the help.
|
|