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Identity HelpSkeletal, Amethystine, Quartz?

9th Sep 2014 23:38 UTCMarcus Lamoreaux

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I am having trouble identifying these specimens that were self collected from the same locality in the same place in Utah. It appears to be Quartz with a Druzy quartz coating and other specimens seem to have a type of pyromorphite as a crust on top of the pyramid shaped crystals which seem to be similar to Skeletal Quartz, but has a greenish color with 'phantom' like particles within the perfectly formed crystals that are not coated by Druzy quartz, and one specimen is purplish in color. Also, all these specimens fluoresce green under Short Wave UV light, and have a 'Mohs' hardness of 7. Thanks, your comments are appreciated.

Marcus

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10th Sep 2014 00:03 UTCRob Woodside 🌟 Manager

They appear to be quartz xls with a white or tan overgrowth. That overgrowth is not pyromorphite. It could be quartz but more likely a carbonate. What is the hardness of the overgrowth? Are there distinct xls in the overgrowth? If so a close up would help.

10th Sep 2014 22:08 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

Welcome to Mindat, Marcus!


I would agree that these are quartz with a caliche (carbonate) coating. Some of the more reddish coatings might be siderite, an iron carbonate. One quick way to find out is to dip a not so good piece in some muriatic acid (if you have access to it). If it's a carbonate, it will effervesce. A dip in some vinegar would also give you a reaction.

11th Sep 2014 05:22 UTCMarcus Lamoreaux

Thank you for the comments,this really helps me alot. I will post close-ups of the crust of the quartz xls and conduct a few other tests and post the results when I have the chance.

11th Sep 2014 19:12 UTCMarcus Lamoreaux

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Here are some closeups of the crust and a close up of an individual xl. the crust seems to have a hardness of 2 1/2 to 3 on the Mohs scale. I still need to conduct a chemical analysis on the crust though. The bottom photo is another specimen I have of the same quartz xls without a crust over the top.

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11th Sep 2014 19:26 UTCRob Woodside 🌟 Manager

Your hardness and the appearance suggest a carbonate. Powder some crumbs and add vinegar. Check the fizzing with from known calcite and known siderite to find which one you have.
 
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