Learning Center What is a mineral?The most common minerals on earth Information for Educators Mindat Articles The Elements The Rock H. Currier Digital Library Geologic Time

Minerals by Properties Minerals by Chemistry Advanced Locality Search Random Mineral Random Locality Search by minID Localities Near Me Search Articles Search Glossary More Search Options

The Mindat Manual Add a New Photo Rate Photos Locality Edit Report Coordinate Completion Report Add Glossary Item

Mining Companies Statistics Users Mineral Museums Clubs & Organizations Mineral Shows & Events The Mindat Directory Device Settings The Mineral Quiz

Photo Search Photo Galleries Search by Color New Photos Today New Photos Yesterday Members' Photo Galleries Past Photo of the Day Gallery Photography

Discussions

💬 Home 🔎 Search 📅 Latest

╳Discussions

💬 Home 🔎 Search 📅 Latest

Groups

Recent Images in Discussions

Identity HelpAre these Garnets? (orange Grossular)

29th Jun 2012 02:46 UTCDaniel jacobs

Orange color to them.

Scratches calcite and fluorite

29th Jun 2012 03:17 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

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.

29th Jun 2012 04:26 UTCDaniel jacobs

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.

29th Jun 2012 08:35 UTCEligiusz Szełęg Expert

looks like heated amethyst - "cytrine"

29th Jun 2012 09:26 UTCRock Currier Expert

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?

29th Jun 2012 21:00 UTCsteven garza

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

29th Jun 2012 22:36 UTCDaniel jacobs

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 :)-D:)-D

Click the files...

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

29th Jun 2012 23:36 UTCDaniel jacobs

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?

30th Jun 2012 06:17 UTCWayne Corwin

Daniel

The Walden gem mine is open again ?

Same owner still ? Beverly Merk ?

Wayne Corwin

30th Jun 2012 15:42 UTCDaniel jacobs

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.

3rd Jul 2012 21:07 UTCWayne Corwin

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

3rd Jul 2012 22:16 UTCDaniel jacobs

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.

3rd Jul 2012 23:43 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

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.

4th Jul 2012 16:19 UTCTim Jokela Jr

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.

4th Jul 2012 18:03 UTCSpencer Ivan Mather

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.

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: April 25, 2024 02:19:07

Go to top of page