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Post by vegasjames on Feb 12, 2017 2:55:57 GMT -5
Yes, variscite will also test positive for phosphate since it is also an aluminum phosphate. Variscite generally has a different look and tends to be a little softer. If not sure you can always run tests for copper or chromium. As for differentiating aluminium phosphate from copper aluminium phosphate? What about simply dissolving the stone in nitric? Copper nitrate has color. Aluminium nitrate is colorless? Unless the stone has other minerals that can also dissolve in the nitric acid such as the limonite altering the color. I had that problem when I tried to phosphate test that suspected variscite. The acid leached something else altering the color of the solution so it made it hard to determine the reaction color. I got around the problem by substituting sodium bicarbonate for the calcium oxide to neutralize the acid. That left the phosphate in solution instead of as a precipitate so I did not have other things masking the color. By the way, yes that stone is very high in phosphate. So I am looking in to lab testing for the stone again.
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Feb 12, 2017 3:04:02 GMT -5
Yes, variscite will also test positive for phosphate since it is also an aluminum phosphate. Variscite generally has a different look and tends to be a little softer. If not sure you can always run tests for copper or chromium. As for differentiating aluminium phosphate from copper aluminium phosphate? What about simply dissolving the stone in nitric? Copper nitrate has color. Aluminium nitrate is colorless? Holy sh**!! Chemistry!! ... witchcraft!
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Feb 16, 2017 17:56:19 GMT -5
A little late to the party but White swarf on cutting turquoise
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Feb 16, 2017 18:01:04 GMT -5
Piece number three is very interesting in that it exhibits many of the properties of both chrysocolla and turquoise. I am going to call it turquoise. Variquoise? BTW just because you paid a good amount of money for it doesn't mean its a good 'quoise (and sometimes the opposite can also be true!). Good store can be put in acquiring it from a reputational dealer with a line of long-established business relationships.
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Feb 16, 2017 18:49:38 GMT -5
I don't think so. chrysocolla and turquoise not variscite and turquoise.
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Post by vegasjames on Feb 16, 2017 20:11:09 GMT -5
I don't think so. chrysocolla and turquoise not variscite and turquoise. Turquoise is harder, higher density, does not gel in acid like chrysocolla and contains phosphate unlike chrysocolla.
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Post by 1dave on Feb 16, 2017 23:28:37 GMT -5
Variquoise is a material found around Snowville Utah.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Feb 27, 2017 11:05:22 GMT -5
I posted on page 2 of this thread about the Royston mine & our club's trip there last April. Here is a photo of some of the cabs I cut from what I found that day. The largest cab is about 43mm long. Lynn
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zekesman
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2016
Posts: 637
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Post by zekesman on Feb 27, 2017 13:36:06 GMT -5
WOW! Very nice
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Post by orrum on Feb 27, 2017 18:13:05 GMT -5
Wow I say wow and it's now closed!!# sad news there!!!
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Post by Psycho on Feb 27, 2017 19:36:21 GMT -5
Beautiful material, and I agree what a sad,sad bit of news for the rockhounding world to know that this mine is closed.
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Post by vegasjames on Feb 27, 2017 23:37:04 GMT -5
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Post by Psycho on Feb 27, 2017 23:45:15 GMT -5
Love it, make sure to save me a little spot to work lol
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Post by vegasjames on Feb 28, 2017 2:23:15 GMT -5
Love it, make sure to save me a little spot to work lol I already cleared that vein out except for where it went underground. Heading back tomorrow for another vein I spotted.
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Post by MrP on Feb 28, 2017 5:22:52 GMT -5
I posted on page 2 of this thread about the Royston mine & our club's trip there last April. Here is a photo of some of the cabs I cut from what I found that day. The largest cab is about 43mm long. Lynn zarguy That is sure a nice grouping of cabs....................................MrP
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Post by MrP on Feb 28, 2017 5:27:07 GMT -5
vegasjames Must be nice to have an area to keep going to and find more material all the time. Good luck and be careful..............MrP
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Post by vegasjames on Mar 1, 2017 1:42:52 GMT -5
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Post by Psycho on Mar 1, 2017 4:54:42 GMT -5
Woof 48 pounds ! Now that's a beautiful monster!
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Mar 1, 2017 21:28:54 GMT -5
48 lbs. The only thing for me to say is WOW.
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