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 HelpShiny, Silver, Granular Rock ID

14th Jun 2018 00:01 UTCRocky Mineralowicz

03787720016018301334807.jpg
Howdy folks,


I don't have much experience in rock and mineral ID but have started to try some analytical work to help. I am not sure about this one even though it might be obvious to some of you just by the picture. I thought it would be an easy one and common. Here is some info and my ideas.


Location: Road cut in Allegheny County NC (NW in the state near the VA border)

Specific Gravity: 4.5-4.6

Streak: black or dark gray

Fusability: infusible in a torch flame

Hardness: difficult to ascertain because of the crumbly nature of the rock

Acid Solubility: partially/slightly in concentrated hot HCl, no gas liberated

Borax Bead: yellow or amber when hot, clear or slightly green when cold

Wet Chemistry: lots of Fe, possibly some Mg or Ca, maybe some insoluble silicates. No Ti or Cu

Magnetism: moderate as described below. Various fusions were strongly magnetic


The rock is shiny silver on the inside. I thought it might be some mica schist but the grain was finer that I am used to seeing and the specific gravity is much heavier at about4.5-4.6 as compared to 2.9 or so for mica.


I tested for hydrogen sulfide gas with lead acetate paper when I was dissolving it in acid. It came up negative which would be present with the sulfide minerals.


It is magnetic and sticks to a magnet so I thought it might be magnetite. Compared to some smaller magnetite crystals that I have, it is much less magnetic. In fact, when drag a magnet underneath the powder, it seems to align with the edges of the magnet but not follow it. Conversely, magnetite powder clamps down on the magnet making it difficult to move under the paper and follows the magnet.


The specific gravity and black streak color seems to fit ilmenite. I did a wet chemistry test for titanium with material from a soda fusion which came up negative. I am somewhat comfortable with the test and have had success with it testing for titanium in rutile but maybe I got it wrong.


Here are two normal pictures of the rock and[attachment one of the inside at 40X.


In any case, I have not been able to find something that seems to fit my data but maybe my testing is not accurate. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!!


00058870015652317232559.jpg

00707130015652317236090.jpg

14th Jun 2018 11:41 UTCReiner Mielke Expert

I think your streak test is wrong. You need to finely powder some in a mortar and pestle to determine the true streak. It is too friable for a streak test using a streak plate. I think you will find the streak is red or red-brown as it sure looks like specular hematite to me.

14th Jun 2018 12:11 UTCGrzegorz Słowik

Agree with Reiner, it's look like hematite.

14th Jun 2018 13:41 UTCFranz Bernhard Expert

First of all, congratulations to your comprehensive description of the specimen, including various chemical tests. I think, the wealth of usefull infos you have given is a record for a first timer!


Agree with Reiner and Grzegorz, it really looks like platy/specular hematite. Concernig the streak, a very, very fine powder is an absolute neccesity. However, a few % of Ti are enough to "kill" the redish streak of hematite and make it brown. You made a test for Ti, which was negative, but you are not sure about that.


The slight magnetism (ferrite-magnet or Nd-magnet?) might be from some intergrown, fine-grained magnetite.


Franz Bernhard

14th Jun 2018 17:19 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

Welcome to Mindat, Rocky!


Agree; bravo on the description you provided! If we could only get every (or I'd even settle for 50%) new member to give a detailed description of their specimen such as what you did, our job would be so much easier.


I would also tend to agree with hematite that is mixed with a small amount of magnetite. This mixture of minerals is quite common in the iron range of Upper Michigan. Also, it is possible that your black/dark gray streak is correct if you tested a portion of the specimen that was mostly magnetite. You may want to test several areas of the specimen to see if you get different powder colours.

14th Jun 2018 22:45 UTCGary Weinstein

There is also maghemite, an intermediate member which is magnetic and gives a brown to black streak. But it does resemble specular hematite on the surface.

14th Jun 2018 23:35 UTCRocky Mineralowicz

Wow!!! Thanks everyone for the great feedback. Thanks also for the kind words and warm welcome too. I immediately discounted hematite because of the streak. I live just a little further to the north from this specimen location in the state of Virginia in the USA and am used to seeing a lot of the earthy red variety. I used both ferrite and Nd magnets and it wasn't much different. Yes, there is lots of magnetite and iron in general in things around here. I did go back and ground some fine in an agate mortar and pestle and still got a black/gray powder but maybe brownish if I squint :). I am assuming the color is just being masked somewhat. I think the specimen would look just like the polished specimens of specular hematite that I have seen.


Thanks again for the assistance. It is great to have some folks from which to get some opinions. It is greatly appreciated!
 
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 29, 2024 02:37:14
Go to top of page