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Identity HelpID help, - ruby in matrix?

5th May 2017 12:14 UTCSteve Ipp

07996330017058707046012.jpg
This thing weighs over 7 kg, size is 20 x 13 x 7 cm. Scratch test showed that right below the pink top, if scratched on the flat side, the knife does not leave any marks. Scratching the pink top leaves faint lines.

Is this a refractory brick or is it natural? Found among lava boulders in northern Taiwan.

Thank you for your comments!

05435750015662173769115.jpg

07522790017058707061433.jpg

5th May 2017 12:52 UTCThomas Lühr Expert

Looks like a waterworn piece of a firebrick (from a smelter oven ?) to me. Seems that you discovered an former smelter place and the "lava" is actually slag.

5th May 2017 13:02 UTCSteve Ipp

Could be, Thomas, thank you for reply!

5th May 2017 13:56 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

A firebrick would certainly fit with what you're finding from the Rainbow Moonstone thread, Steve.

It appears you've found an old smelter....

5th May 2017 22:48 UTCSteve Ipp

Thank you, Paul! Yes, it is logically so, but volcanic activity also has to have some traces, it's not that black and white, I suppose!

5th May 2017 22:49 UTCSteve Ipp

All clear with this one, thread is closed.
 
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