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Colorado Prospector - Gem and mineral prospecting and mining forums _ Prospectors and Rockhounding Field Work _ New rock finds near a hot spring

Posted by: Gold_Barnstormer Mar 30 2010, 02:58 PM

I found these today rockhounding near a hot springs......any idea what these are. this newbie could use some help. They look lavariffic.
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Posted by: Gold_Barnstormer Mar 30 2010, 03:02 PM

Here's another about the same size 6"x6"

Posted by: Gold_Barnstormer Mar 30 2010, 03:10 PM

These 3 were found next to each other. small pieces.

these last 2 pics are same rock different angles

Posted by: Gold_Barnstormer Mar 30 2010, 03:13 PM

I can't tell whats goin' on here. A harder agate like material on top of the softer green. and what is that swirl?

Posted by: jim Mar 30 2010, 05:16 PM

Cool finds GB. I have no idea what you have there. I bet ol johnny (astrobleme) could tell ya though. Being a cut-em-up freak you know what I'd do. Shhhhh!! don't tell Denise!

Posted by: chadrack Apr 1 2010, 11:28 PM

Could it be calcareous sinter, also known as tufa? C

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 2 2010, 05:48 AM

Very cool specimens! Almost fossil looking to me but really hard to tell from pictures.
Have you done a hardness test on it yet Jeff? That always help to narrow it down and eliminate other possibilities.

QUOTE

Being a cut-em-up freak you know what I'd do. Shhhhh!! don't tell Denise!

Dont think there is a rock you wouldnt cut up Jim.

Posted by: jim Apr 2 2010, 06:45 AM

It just looks like there is some cool patterns in those pieces. Unless it is something thats a rare find I'd still have to see what the inside looks like. Come on Denise....a small flat spot would make a good base.

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Apr 6 2010, 10:10 AM

Cool finds GB.
I think Chad was real close on this one. While searching calcareous sinter which Chad put in, I found siliceous sinter which gives a redirect to Geyserite.

I'm thinking it's the Geyserite which is known to be found around hot springs as well.

For more info on Geyserite check out the wiki page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geyserite

Don't have any idea why or what the green swirl is but it's neat.

CP

Posted by: Forestwalker Apr 13 2010, 08:43 PM

Looks cherty to me.

Posted by: chadrack Apr 13 2010, 09:56 PM

Hey CP, after reading your post I would agree that it looks silicified. Also, in the last pic, it looks opalized too. Interesting stuff. C