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Thread: How can I get this rock identified? - Pictures Added

  1. #1
    MSWR0319 is offline Sapphire level (2000+ posts)
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    Default How can I get this rock identified? - Pictures Added

    Ok, this has got to be one of the last questions I ever thought I would ask, but does anyone know where I can take a "rock" to get identified? Or a forum I can post a picture in? I found this "rock" in our driveway yesterday that is obviously a crystal of some type. It's clear but inside it is a purple crystal that's almost perfectly square. On the outside of the clear part there are small pieces of real rock. Anyway, DH and I have researched what we can at home and think it may be some type of Amethyst geode or something along those lines. I can't just throw the darn thing away until I know for sure what it is!!
    Last edited by MSWR0319; 10-11-2010 at 01:13 PM.

  2. #2
    hillview's Avatar
    hillview is online now Pink Diamond level (15,000+ posts)
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    Take it to a college that has a geology program. The kids would love it!
    /hillary
    DS #1 Summer 05
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    SkyrMommy is offline Platinum level (1000+ posts)
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    Can you post a picture to this thread... DH was a geologist and might be able to identify it.
    DD 4/09 DS 8/12

  4. #4
    MSWR0319 is offline Sapphire level (2000+ posts)
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    Quote Originally Posted by SkyrMommy View Post
    Can you post a picture to this thread... DH was a geologist and might be able to identify it.
    I'll take one tomorrow and post it if it looks ok. Thanks!

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    geochick is offline Sapphire level (2000+ posts)
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    A picture would help, but it might not. To identify it, you'll need to know the hardness (MOHS Hardness scale), you'll need to know about cleavage planes for the crystal(s), color is helpful, but most minerals can be any color...

    If you post a picture, I'll take a stab at it.

    Otherwise, most geology departments have professors or graduate students who can figure that stuff out. Hands-on is the best way to identify it.

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    MSWR0319 is offline Sapphire level (2000+ posts)
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    Here's the bottom of it:

    Here's what I consider the front of it:


    These are a little blurry and you can't see the obvious crystals on the clear part, but it's the best I could do.
    Last edited by MSWR0319; 10-11-2010 at 01:13 PM.

  7. #7
    MSWR0319 is offline Sapphire level (2000+ posts)
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    I'm going to see if I can find a geology department somewhere near us. We live in the stix so there aren't many local colleges!!

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    geochick is offline Sapphire level (2000+ posts)
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    Just a guess - the purple mineral is fluorite.

    The clear could be calcite, quartz, lime, ...? Someone would need to look closely and test it to figure that out

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    MSWR0319 is offline Sapphire level (2000+ posts)
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    Thanks! We thought it was so interesting how it was formed inside that we were curious to learn more about it!

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    geochick is offline Sapphire level (2000+ posts)
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    Just curious, if you drop vinegar (or hydrochloric acid...have any?) on it, does it fizz? Sometimes you have to scratch it with a nail to expose a fresh surface, then drop the acid on it.

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