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Post by 360search on Oct 23, 2014 16:58:12 GMT 10
So early September I go for a walk with my dog... sun was shining and shallow cool breeze made for the perfect morning. As I was walking along with Cooper I come across this bright, Vibrant rock sitting just on the waters edge so everything interesting take it home, several times i dropped it on the way back as the pockets in my trackies have holes in them so had to have it in my hand the whole time. Even know i dropped it the sun kept its brilliant color screaming wasn't easily lost out, after staring at it for couple of week I showed some friends and the local jewelers, they put some thoughts out there but just still not sure. So Late afternoon yesterday a friend + family and I decided to go for a walk to a new spot to prospect and along the way I pointed out where I had found this rock not far from this point we found another and another and another and between the both of us we collected around 30- 48 rocks each all looking the same hmm..   This example is 2.5grams Can you help us out what do you think??? |
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Post by Flying Scott on Oct 23, 2014 21:46:11 GMT 10
I stumbled across something simular many years ago.
Glassy rocks, some smooth, some rough with what look like a clay rock adhering to them.
I do believe now it is glass that has been melted.
Check the aria, would there have been a sheering shed nearby? or some other activity where someone had disposed of jars,
or bottles in a fire?
Flying Scott
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Post by shivan on Oct 25, 2014 14:07:35 GMT 10
Looks interesting, could be glass like Scott said but i would have expected a more dull look on the outside. Was there any copper mines in the area?
Are all the rocks rounded or are there any hints of crystal shape about them? Do you have enough that you could crack one to get a look at a fresh surface and check for cleavage?
The only other thing i would suggest is to maybe try a scratch test with a steel nail or knife to see if you can scratch the rock, if you can't try again with a piece of quartz, this will give you an idea of hardness.
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Post by labrador on Oct 26, 2014 10:27:44 GMT 10
I saw some thing very similar and it was Fluorite [ dodge spelling ] but it was confined to a single aria, some better quality and the pice next to it and some green and some with a shade of blue. There was talk of that it should floress under a sertin light,
It ran in a vain, I did not scratch it as Shivan said.
And as Flying Scott said to look for man made signs. or possible a opal potch of sorts.
That's my two bobs worth.
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Post by 360search on Oct 26, 2014 14:46:31 GMT 10
Hi guys thanks for the reply's,
I have done some research and the area has been known for beryl (same family as emerald) my thoughts are fluorite. There is very old workings before roads to the area were around. The area is now controlled via Parks Victoria.
I shell crack one open and get some pictures up tonight, I'll also take a pic of one that has like a calcium lines through it.
I should have also mention I wiped the stone with oil, before taking the pictures.
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Post by shivan on Oct 26, 2014 20:27:40 GMT 10
Would be a nice find if it is beryl. If it is, being green like that it would be emerald  Rather than crack one just try to scratch with a piece of quartz. Beryl should be harder than the quartz and not be scratched. |
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Post by 360search on Oct 27, 2014 2:54:55 GMT 10
hia, cracked open the smallest one I had, pictures are of the freshly open surface, I tried to scratch the stone with quartz but no marks visible left on the stone.   |
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Post by 360search on Oct 27, 2014 2:58:45 GMT 10
This is one of the stones with a soft white line through it.  Attachments:
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Post by dreadnought on Oct 27, 2014 10:45:18 GMT 10
Try hitting the rocks with a black light (UV)to see if they fluoresce - hence fluorite
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Post by shivan on Oct 27, 2014 11:20:02 GMT 10
If it was fluorite it would have been scratched by the quartz as fluorite has a hardness around 4 to quartz 7 and beryl of 7.5-8.
If it was glass where you cracked it you should see scallop shape (rounded) fractures, on the photo it seems to be more imperfect cleavage?
Personally i think it is looking good for beryl, especially if it is known to occur in the area, but i still have my training wheels on when it cones to identifying rocks and minerals so i could be wrong.
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Post by 360search on Oct 27, 2014 14:01:25 GMT 10
Awesome I appreciate the time you guys have taken to give advice and opinions, I sent off two of the best cut-table stones this morning to get essayed. I ruled out the possibility of fluorite as it would dissolve quickly in the mineralized water.
I will post up the identification certificates when i get them back.
Cheers 360search
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Post by Flying Scott on Oct 27, 2014 20:36:32 GMT 10
Keep in mind Fluorite is hardness of 4 on the Mohs scale.
1 being the softest = Talc 10 the hardest, = Corundum (∴) if it is Fluorite it be easy to scratch with a knife.
Flying Scott
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Post by 360search on Oct 28, 2014 14:54:55 GMT 10
Keep in mind Fluorite is hardness of 4 on the Mohs scale. 1 being the softest = Talc 10 the hardest, = Corundum (∴) if it is Fluorite it be easy to scratch with a knife. Flying Scott Hello Flying scott, I haven't ruled out any possibilities just of yet, I couldn't scratch the stone with quartz and it took a good swing with the hammer and chisel to crack one open, either im not being harsh enough then dealing with it, or its just one hard rock haha.. I have sent of two of the collection that i have of these types of rocks to be identified and certificated by the jewelers and are also going to have the local town gem club have a look at it see what they can come up with. Will keep you informed  |
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Post by Flying Scott on Oct 28, 2014 22:18:53 GMT 10
Bet I could Facet it into a brilliant gem  Flying Scott |
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Post by 360search on Oct 29, 2014 17:34:54 GMT 10
Bet I could Facet it into a brilliant gem Flying Scott Well when I find out what it is and well I never know it might just be a green rock haha I can send some your way to play around with. There are plenty of them, local gem club couldn't give me a clear answer, so i'll wait until the stones return from the jewelers. Wouldn't mind learning how to facet, how ever i can keep a steady hand so I think i'll be practicing alot on smoky crystals and old tv screens for awhile until I get the confidence. |
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