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 Post subject: New from Afghanistan Mine
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 12:30 am 
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The guy I get rough from was asking about these rocks. He said they are new material but he doesn't know what. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!!


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 Post subject: Re: New from Afghanistan Mine
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 12:55 am 
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Slice one in half so we can see inside.


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 Post subject: Re: New from Afghanistan Mine
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 1:45 am 
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He's going to send me a picture later of what it looks like.


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 Post subject: Re: New from Afghanistan Mine
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:09 am 
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He said it's really hard, sent me a video of him hitting it with a rock a bunch before it broke. He also said it looks like gold inside. So maybe some kind of ore?


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 Post subject: Re: New from Afghanistan Mine
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:19 am 
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Not sure what it is, but from the granular nature of the fracture surface I think the likely hood of any value as a gem or ornamental stone is very low.


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 Post subject: Re: New from Afghanistan Mine
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 11:12 am 
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I told him to melt it down and have it tested. There should be some reagent test to tell. Hopefully its not toxic or radioactive.


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 Post subject: Re: New from Afghanistan Mine
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 2:59 pm 
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Reminds me of the iron ore pellets of the Great Lake when I was kid. Although they had a shade of brown skin.

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 Post subject: Re: New from Afghanistan Mine
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 3:43 pm 
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Polish a side and send it to someone with a Raman.


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 Post subject: Re: New from Afghanistan Mine
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 4:11 pm 
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Powdery and golden with a spherical aggregate structure?
I'd say pyrite but he'd have smelled the sulfur when he broke it open...

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 Post subject: Re: New from Afghanistan Mine
PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 9:43 pm 
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When I was investigating I also thought the same, chalcopyrite maybe. We may never know unfortunately, he just wants to sell them. I don't think he cares what it is lol :)


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 Post subject: Re: New from Afghanistan Mine
PostPosted: Sun May 09, 2021 11:53 pm 
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Clearly pyrite nodules. Not much use, unless he can find some fresh, lustrous specimens, which are popular among kids and beginner collectors.


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