Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic Time
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral Quiz
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Identity HelpPlease ID - Havent the fainest idea! Am baffled!!!

22nd Apr 2012 19:19 UTCClaire Brimson

Hiya


Found this again in Oulujoki riverbed under the ice, was digging ice! Finland. It absolutly stinks of Arsenic! The black stuff on top cannot be marked with a penknife only a pegmatite leaves a scratch and there is a streak of grey/black to it. The rest of the rock leaves a streak of black also and is much softer - easy to scratch with penknife! I have not as yet tried to hit it to see if garlic is realesed. It is also heavy. Some of the black stuff had different colours in it as well. I left it in the sun to see if it would go sticky but it was rock solid as it were.


Any ideas???


Many thanks once again.


Claire

24th Apr 2012 11:11 UTCJosé Zendrera 🌟 Manager

I can not see any crystalized form on the black / hard part but rounded shapes.

Just a guess: Perhaps a silex nodule in calcareous rock?

Greetings.

24th Apr 2012 16:29 UTCClaire Brimson

Jose - I have attached another photo - does this help? Why does it smell Arsenicy?


Many thanks


Claire

24th Apr 2012 21:53 UTCJosé Zendrera 🌟 Manager

Sorry Claire, I have not more ideas, to me, could be a silex nodule, do not looks as crystalized. Also could be something syntetic.

Anyway, if it smells like arsenic, you must take care with it!

Greetings.

25th Apr 2012 15:35 UTCClaire Brimson

Thanks Jose, for your help. I am as baffled as you probably are as well.


Kiitos


Claire

25th Apr 2012 17:33 UTCSam Cordero, Jr.

Looks like you have some greenish blue minerals. Those could be the common malachite/chryscola combos. The brown could just be sandstone, and the creamy colored mineral barite. This specimen reminds me of material I found in an old barite locality. Just a hunch. You should perform some basic tests to narrow it down. Good luck.

26th Apr 2012 18:45 UTCClaire Brimson

Hi Sam


Many thanks also. Which sort of tests should I try please?


Claire

18th May 2012 19:01 UTCPekka Ruoho

Hi Claire,

do you think it could be Arsenopyrite or Löllingite?

try to clean the surface (brush or knife) somewhere.

see this small piece of löllingite from kaatiala after som cleaning

regards PekkaR

18th May 2012 19:33 UTCClaire Brimson

Hei Pekka


No, it wasnt that, But.... I do have some of that as well!


Very many thanks for turning up here - tis great to have Finnish guy on here as wel who is local l :-)


Claire

18th May 2012 19:34 UTCAnonymous User

Clair the last pic seems to show a tar like material? and in the second last can i see vecicals?

18th May 2012 19:40 UTCJolyon Ralph Founder

Looks like classic gossan material to me - formed after breakdown/leaching of primary sulphide minerals, so if there was any arsenides in that mix the arsenic smell is not surprising.

18th May 2012 19:52 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

There is a lot of the same looking material in the Magdalena Mountains of central New Mexico USA from the weathering of iron sulphide rocks near the Graphic and Nitt mines; this material is gossan, just as I suspect yours is as well Claire. The arsenic/sulphide odour you describe is a common indicator of the breakdown of sulphide minerals. The Nitt mine I mentioned earlier has a very pronounced sulphur odour associated with it; you can "smell" the mine long before you see it through the forest.

18th May 2012 19:58 UTCClaire Brimson

Very many thanks to you guys :-)


I put it on the railroad here as it just stank and was unsafe in smell (arsenic), so now the railroad smells :-D


Thank you very much for your help with this one and with all my queryries on rocks. I learn from you all.


Kiitos


Claire

21st May 2012 22:19 UTCAnonymous User

Claire the first three pics seem to show what could be fossil sea life ie coral or crynoid stems?

22nd May 2012 18:58 UTCClaire Brimson

Hiya Heath


Many thanks... when I first glanced at it, I thought similar but then a closer inspection showed the black stuff with almost irredence in it and the smell of arsenic was a wee bit overpowering! So that kinda put a halt on my sea theory. I have since found out there is some sort of factory up river..... dont know if that has anything to do with it, but I have since also found other bits similar in the river bed as well...


By the way, I went to the Geological museum to try and find out about your rocks... I spent most of the day there (easiily done - rocks :) ) but could not really find anything that looked similar apart from mica and graphite! I know of graphite mine in Derbyshire/Pennines..... but......????


Will try again when I have time....


Claire
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
Mindat Discussions Facebook Logo Instagram Logo Discord Logo
Mindat.org is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: March 19, 2024 11:25:30
Go to top of page