181lizard
Cave Dweller
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Oct 10, 2006 12:20:31 GMT -5
Found a new specimen of a green rock! (not new in the rock world...just new to me. ;D) Actually, every time I run across something new, I learn. I knew what Mica was, but interestingly enough, I didn't realize it came in other colors and when Mrs. Handley showed me this new box she had gotten in...I about fell over. I was able to get 2 nice sized hunks, this being the larger of the two at just over 13 lbs. (other one is probably about 8-9, I haven't removed it from it's wrapping yet.) She said this batch was from Africa but they were sooo busy yesterday I couldn't get a chance to speak with her. Hardness is about 2-3 and it's color is from chromium. This is actually the green variety of muscovite and I was surprised to learn that there are many colors. (pink-colourless-grey-brown-violet-yellow & a rose red too) I asked about keeping it outside & they advised not to as the sun will bleach it out terribly...poor husband...another damn rock he's gonna have to stare at in the house!
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Post by rockkitten on Oct 10, 2006 12:42:33 GMT -5
oh you lucky!!!!! is this lady selling more?? i'd just like a fist size chunk or small pieces.
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181lizard
Cave Dweller
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Oct 10, 2006 12:49:41 GMT -5
Seig...I took everything she got in her shipment. She had 1 piece left from an old shipment. It was small fist sized but very dull compared to this...so I passed on it. If I can get some smaller pieces...I'll give ya a holler.
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
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Post by Sabre52 on Oct 10, 2006 13:55:39 GMT -5
Hey that's really neat! Mariposite is muscovite mica colored green by chromium too so I guess it's pretty similar to what you've pictured. Your material looks like it's kinda more loosely layered and has more mica whereas Mariposite is sort of a compact, mixed material with the mica mixed with marble and quartz. Did the dealer say where it originated?....mel
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,456
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Post by Sabre52 on Oct 10, 2006 17:44:08 GMT -5
LIz: Here's a pic of the California version of chomium mica shist, Mariposite. It's from near John C. Fremonts old Josephine/Pine Tree gold mine where it's actually part of the gold ore body. Pic shows rough and a faced piece. I've got some in the grind right now but it's supposed to be tough to polish as it's a mixed hardness material. Darn pretty stuff though...mel
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181lizard
Cave Dweller
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
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Post by 181lizard on Oct 10, 2006 22:31:40 GMT -5
Ohhhh Mel! That's Pretty!
But now I'm getting confused about Mica. I guess color is having less of an effect on deciding which type of mica a specimen is than how it's formed. fuchsite - form of mica. Crystallizes in the form of plate-like layers, scales, masses & tabular crystals. Color due to chromium. Margarite - form of mica. crystallizes in the for of plate-like aggregates (plates in varying directions) masses, and rarely, in distinct crystals. colors are grey- pink- yellow - green & red. Biotite - a form of mica - crystallizes forming massive scaley aggregates....blah, blah, blah. muscovite - form of mica, blah, blah, blah. Gonna have to look farther into mariposite...not in my reference books. She said this shipment came from Africa but I don't know where!
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181lizard
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Still lurking :)
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Post by 181lizard on Oct 10, 2006 22:32:52 GMT -5
PS...I saw it today doing searches coming from San Bernadin (o) ? Calif...Russia & Africa.
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
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Post by Sabre52 on Oct 10, 2006 23:44:09 GMT -5
Liz: OK here's the way I understand it. There are two basic types of mica, muscovite and biotite. Biotite is black and common in granitic rocks. Muscovite is basically clear but can be colored by many different minerals which produce different color varieties. Muscovite which is colored by chromium is fuchsite. Muscovite also comes in brown, yellow, and pink ( ruby mica). It's common in metamorphic rocks often forming micaeous shists. Mariposite is essentially a muscovite mica colored green by the presence of chromium and is apparently very similar in composition to fuchsite but different enough in composition to be considered it's own mineral species....mel
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181lizard
Cave Dweller
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Oct 11, 2006 12:01:00 GMT -5
Well. Crap, crap, crap! I can't get photobucket to let me copy & paste right now!
I think I'm starting to get the lowdown on muscovite. If I ever get photobucket to work again...I post another pic & see what you might think it is.
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