GemologyOnline.com
https://www.gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/

Please help identifying this thing
https://www.gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=25028		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  random_user [ Tue Mar 05, 2019 4:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Please help identifying this thing
Hey all, this is my fist post here and i was wondering if you could help me identify the following mineral/gem/glass/stone thing :D

I usually find interesting things when going for a walk and this time was no different. I found this red translucent mineral looking thing with the following properties:

- "almost" cuts the glass (when i drag it across the glass, deep grooves get created on the glass while the mineral stays unchanged, i'm sure that if enough force is applied, i could cut the glass)
- if i place a bright light on the other side, some of the light gets through displaying red color

I have not performed any additional tests because i'm a complete beginner when it comes to stone identification, so please bear with me.

Also, pictures are terrible. It's really hard to take pictures of such a shinny object.

(click on the pictures for full size)

Image

Image

Image

Thank you!
Author:  Barbra Voltaire, FGG [ Tue Mar 05, 2019 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Please help identifying this thing
Welcome Random.
Just as a sidebar, anything of equal hardness will scratch itself. Glass will scratch glass.

Perhaps Stephen or David might have some insight into this. :smt112
Calling all Challeners!
Author:  random_user [ Tue Mar 05, 2019 5:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Please help identifying this thing
That is true, but this does not "feel" like glass (feels heavier, colder) and on the edges it does not look like a broken glass (and is also not rounded and not sharp like glass). Hard to describe. Is there any test to check whether this is glass or not? Try scratching it using some glass?
Another shot

Image
And another

Image
(mod note--combined three posts here)
Author:  dchallener [ Tue Mar 05, 2019 6:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Please help identifying this thing
The top looks like a garnet/mica schist, but the side doesn't at all. a garnet mica schist would have lumps of garnet crystals in a mica surrounding, that would pretty easily flake. Here is an example: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... 1788977931

But with the sides the way they are, I am guessing glass. Perhaps a close up of the edges would help?
Author:  1bwana1 [ Tue Mar 05, 2019 7:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Please help identifying this thing
Another one for the "Slagology-On-Line" website. :lol:
Author:  dchallener [ Tue Mar 05, 2019 11:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Please help identifying this thing
Actually I am leaning toward garnet. Is it attracted to a magnet?
Author:  Gabroo [ Wed Mar 06, 2019 12:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Please help identifying this thing
It appears to be a pegmatitic kind of tourmaline , rubelite probably, pegmatite are mostly igneous rocks and could be in any shape.
Author:  random_user [ Wed Mar 06, 2019 5:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Please help identifying this thing
dchallener wrote:
Actually I am leaning toward garnet. Is it attracted to a magnet?


No, there is no visible attraction.
Author:  random_user [ Wed Mar 06, 2019 9:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Please help identifying this thing
I managed to capture a nicer image. Also, the glass does not leave any mark on it.

Image
Author:  Barbra Voltaire, FGG [ Thu Mar 07, 2019 2:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Please help identifying this thing
I'm still going with the "slag" club. :wink:
Author:  dchallener [ Thu Mar 07, 2019 6:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Please help identifying this thing
if you are near NC, or can send a piece of it to me or Stephen, we can identify it for you.
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 4 hours
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/