Are these Garnets? (orange Grossular)

Orange color to them.

Scratches calcite and fluorite

Looks more like iron-stained drusy quartz on top of massive quartz to me.
Try a knife blade on the clear material to see if it scratches; if not, then it's likely quartz.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/29/2012 02:21AM by Paul Brandes.

The clear material was able to scratch my knife blade. Should I put this mineral in a Super Iron Out soak? Im currently soaking other minerals to remove rust stains.

looks like heated amethyst - "cytrine"

Daniel,
Your pictures do not resolve the shape of the drusy "garnets" very well, so it is not possible to say with certainty that they are quartz, or probably garnets. A few of the tiny highlighted reflections from the druse make me think that it might not be quartz, but there is not really enough resolution to say one way or another with authority. Do you have a locality for the specimen?

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

Dear Daniel;

I've been following your posts for a while, &, being an old NE collectors, I'm pleased you're asking so many questions, &, supplying the CLEAR photos, that are best to aid us aiding you! I'm also pleased to notice your collecting activity being so profilic! OK, I'm "bucking" some of the others, respectfully, but, your supplied photo is good enough to get an basic ID; I used the "veiw" feature, to regulate the expansion factor & believe I have to choices. 1st, though, I need to know the locality, &, you need to give this piece the acid test. Although you report that the clear area tested harder than 5.5 (knife blade), you didn't report that you tested the orange area, which CAN be another mineral, overlying the clear (quartz?). A simple drop of acid (vinegar) will work. What you have may be limonite/goethite coated druzy quartz, but, it's always good to be thorough, just in case.

Let me also say that putting THIS piece, in Iron Out, may not be the best decision. Although it'll remove the staining, have you thought about it NOT improving the appearance? From what I see, the piece looks AWESOME, just the way it is; I also think that removing the rusty will make the piece look bland. Added, how can you show others, who haven't gone as far as you are going, what a rust-stained piece looks like, or, when it's not a good idea to remove those stains?

I wish you had had been able to go to Gilsum, this weekend; you would have had one heck of an education; met LOTS of people, from YOUR area, who could have helped you in additional localities, how/where to join a club, &, an active demonstration on basic rockhounding (use of tools & a handout; yeah, I gave it. LOL). There's even mine collecting up there, ALL OVER THE PLACE! I was looking forward to meeting you.


Your friend, Steve

Im planning on going on a dig tomorrow at waldens gem quarry, portland, ct if anyone else is interested. Found 10 super large beryl specimens last time

Click the files...

pic #2 beryl is my largest ever found at 383 grams!

I tested the orange material with vinegar, no reaction. As far as the hardness... its confusing. these clusters are VERY small, I was able to see very faint scratches on the knife from it, and was able to do a little damage to the clusters with the blade. Its hard to tell, so maybe a hardness of 6?

Daniel

The Walden gem mine is open again ?
Same owner still ? Beverly Merk ?

Wayne Corwin

Is the mine closed? I was looking all over the place to see if it was closed or open, but found nothing..? So ive figured it is open.

Daniel

I just talked to the owner, and she said the property isn't posted, but it is closed !
She also said that her family will Prosecute trespassers.
They also have no plans on reopening the diggings.
I suggest you do your research on property owners at your town or county of records before
going onto any property for collecting. All property is owned by someone, and even if it's not
posted, doesn't mean its open for collecting. It's good policy, and maintains good collectors
reputation's, to find the owner of the property and get permission first.
This is what i've always done with old locations, as the owner has often changed and it
doesn't take that much time to look it up, occasionally it has paid off with the new owner
giving permission just to learn whats on there property.
But in the case of The Walden Gem Mine, it is closed !

KOR
Wayne Corwin



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/2012 08:08PM by Wayne Corwin.

I re-looked on the Map and it wasnt walden gem mine that I was at it was actually bordonaro quarry. I will do better research next time I decide to venture out in that area. Under walden gem mine on this webpage, they should definitely make note of that though.

We already have Daniel. Every Mindat locality page carries this disclaimer:

This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/2012 10:45PM by Paul Brandes.

Low power magnification will resolve many an identity crisis. The crystal form of garnet is instantly and clearly distinguished from the very simple six triangular terminal faces of quartz crystals with even 10x. Acquire a loupe.

They certainly look like grossularite garnets, break a small cluster off and then do a specific gravity test,....3.61 (- .27, + .12), and make sure you don't have any quartz on it.

Spencer.