ColoradoProspector   CP Club Membership Info.

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

 
Reply to this topicStart new topic
Need help identifying... and brand new here!
dh8815
post Nov 29 2016, 04:15 PM
Post #1


Observer
*

Group: Members
Posts: 2
Joined: 29-November 16
Member No.: 124,058



Hi everyone,

Brand new here! Have always been interested in mineralogy, but just recently started trying to identify the things I have found and learn more about them! Hopefully this forum will help with the process! smileywaving.gif

I have found some awesome amazonite and a few smokies (nothing too special... yet) but was wondering if anyone could help identify these. I am thinking it is just a nice hunk of quartz. There are some chards in the following photos from the same area. The large crystal has a bit of champagne color to it, as well as the longer chard pictured (I know, hard to see that color). My companion from this outing also found a larger chard that is completely champagne- I will try to get some photos of that up here. Also pictured is some very pale microcline and a chunk of (??) with some nice crystals on both sides. All of these have been soaking in Iron out for around 24 hours, but I think I'm going to give the larger specimen an oxalic acid bath to try to remove some of the staining..

Thoughts?

Thanks for all of your help!

D
Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image


Attached Image


Attached Image


Attached Image


Attached Image


Attached Image


Attached Image

 
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
dh8815
post Nov 29 2016, 09:35 PM
Post #2


Observer
*

Group: Members
Posts: 2
Joined: 29-November 16
Member No.: 124,058



After a little investigation, I took the specific gravity of the large crystal and a sample piece of the clear chard based on this awesome guide: http://www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com/jhbn...fic_gravity.htm

Looks like the SG of the larger crystal was 2.6526... Quartz.

However, the SG of one of the sample chards was 4.4! Topaz! (I think!) smiley-clapping.gif

They were found in very close proximity to each other in the Pikes Peak Batholith.

Input appreciated! smiley-cool14.gif
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
swizz
post Nov 30 2016, 08:41 AM
Post #3


Moderator
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,459
Joined: 25-August 09
From: way on up thar
Member No.: 6,983



Welcome D and thank you for posting up pics of those beautiful specimens! sign0016.gif
Your Topaz finds have excellent clarity judging by the pics. I really like the large combo too! Regarding cleaning tips, we have a good topic which Denise started a while back for this. It has helped me a lot: Specimen Cleaning
The larger combo might benefit from a toothbrush, and/or textile gun wash.


--------------------

/l
,[____],
l---L-OlllllllO-
()_) ()_)--o-)_)
BLACK SANDS MATTER!
Very Happy CP Lifetime Member
CP CORE TEAM

Referral Code CE213
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Crusty
post Nov 30 2016, 08:49 AM
Post #4


Master Mucker!
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,430
Joined: 6-June 13
From: Falcon, CO
Member No.: 82,915



great looking pieces! Way to work towards identifying them!

THe middle one looks like some light amazonite (feldspar)

Thanks for sharing and welcome to the forum!


--------------------
Find Colorado Prospector on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/170314493176558

CP Lifetime Member

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
johnnybravo300
post Nov 30 2016, 09:04 AM
Post #5


Rock Bar!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 563
Joined: 13-June 15
From: South of Gunnison in Gold Basin, Saguache County
Member No.: 120,659



Topaz or phenakite?


--------------------
Level 2 member -12/25/16
Referral code JL697
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
MikeS
post Nov 30 2016, 04:57 PM
Post #6


Rock Bar!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 898
Joined: 9-January 14
From: Denver, CO
Member No.: 116,265



Welcome to the forums D! sign0016.gif

The specific gravity reading of 4.4 is very heavy and significantly higher than topaz(3.49). I recommend re-testing the piece to be sure. The smaller specimens are tougher to get a accurate reading. The only mineral that comes to mind in the 4.4 range is barite.

The black mineral coating on the last 2 pieces is likely a coating of goethite or hematite.

Hope this helps!


--------------------

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 



Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 28th March 2024 - 06:51 AM