Volcanic Quartz/Agate?
9th Mar 2019 01:23 UTCRobert Darabos
Matrix looks like typical Andesite material that comes from the volcano.
This stuff had a crust on the outside with a red mineral which caught my interest.
It is hard and unscratchable with a steel knife. No reaction to SW UV light. No reaction to HCL.
Could this be Quartz and/or Agate?
If so, is volcanic Quartz/Agate common?
I have yet to see any Quartz or Agate or anything similar form near any of the volcanoes I've hiked here, so was surprised to see it.
I was able to chip two tiny pieces off of a matrix and photograph it without the matrix interfering.
Shows what looks like small bands with a weak LW UV reaction.
Any ideas? Can common Opal form like this? (I'm assuming it formed pretty quickly by being on the outside of a naturally tumbled piece like they are often found).
Shows what looks like small bands with a weak LW UV reaction.
Any ideas? Can common Opal form like this? (I'm assuming it formed pretty quickly by being on the outside of a naturally tumbled piece like they are often found).
