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Identity HelpMetallic Crystal - Unknown

21st Mar 2019 18:49 UTCClark James

This is an unknown crystal of some metallic material found in a freshly dug, collapsed quartz vug in Northern Nevada.

The other known materials in the region are gold and tungsten.

Approx. 12.5mm tall.

Thank you for your help identifying!

21st Mar 2019 18:50 UTCClark James

Additional images.

21st Mar 2019 19:06 UTCKevin Conroy Manager

MAYBE a corroded galena crystal, with an outer alteration layer of anglesite. Without any other info this is just a wild guess.

21st Mar 2019 19:31 UTCGregg Little 🌟

Clark;

Quoting you ... "This is an unknown crystal of some metallic material found growing on a quartz cluster in Northern Nevada. "

I don't see evidence of this growing on quartz. There does not appear to be a fresh attachment point or damage (from removal). It looks dirty or oxidized from exposure so could it have been found logged in the cluster, hence not related to it? Some of the external patterning makes it look organic too. Have you tried some of the basic physical tests?

21st Mar 2019 19:52 UTCNick Gilly

It almost looks like a snail shell or a chrysalis to me.

21st Mar 2019 20:07 UTCPavel Kartashov Manager

From my point of view, this most of all is similar to usual old and covered by carbonates lead bullet.

21st Mar 2019 20:38 UTCClark James

The piece was sitting on top of a quartz cluster inside a freshly exposed, collapsed vug about 3' beneath the surface.

21st Mar 2019 21:38 UTCHolger Hartmaier 🌟

I agree with Pavel. Is it soft and metallic? Looks like other old bullets I've found in the past. Deformed by impact.

21st Mar 2019 22:23 UTCMatt Neuzil Expert

Could always try and crack it open. You might observe fracture or cleavage or just dent it a bit. Malleable it would be lead bullet. If it is natural in my opinion it doesn't look appealing. Some collect unattractive pieces. I have a few myself.

22nd Mar 2019 04:13 UTCIan Nicastro

Streak test it on unglazed porcelain. What sort of deposit are you digging in... are you up by Petersen or elsewhere? Pegmatite, etc...?

16th Nov 2019 18:54 UTCClark James

Digging in the Eugene mountains near Winnemucca, NV.

22nd Mar 2019 18:02 UTCEd Clopton 🌟 Expert

The fourth image appears to show a hollow interior. Is the specimen in fact at least partly hollow? Several of the photos also appear to show traces of cubic/orthorhombic zoning, something I would not expect to see in a lead bullet, especially one deformed by striking a target, although I agree the surface patina does resemble that of an old bullet.

Do we know specific gravity, hardness, etc.?

16th Nov 2019 18:55 UTCClark James

I agree. The crystalization suggests it's not a lead bullet.

22nd Mar 2019 18:18 UTCKrzysztof Andrzejewski

Goethite / limonite concretion - ochre type etc., genetically have nothing to do with the quartz vugs, common and nothing unusual - crush with the hammer and check the colour of the powder

23rd Mar 2019 18:38 UTCGary Weinstein

The raised ridges look like preferential weathering of a rock made up of 2 different minerals with different hardness's, tumbled in a river. But still, without hardness test, streak test, specific gravity test........

26th Mar 2019 16:14 UTCGregg Little 🌟

James Clark has not responded since March 21st and is not providing any simple test results. Although the quartz cluster, possibly a vug, was freshly exposed stuff can fall in during the excavation. Possibly he has found a preferred answer elsewhere still, I am curious what it might actually be; organic, mineral, artifact?

18th Apr 2019 17:52 UTCClark James

Hello. I did not see these messages. I will try these tests and report back. Thank you!

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