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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 6, 2018 22:29:26 GMT -5
I have been trying to clean up my work area a little and came across these items. I'll take any help I can get with identification. Zoisite - Item #1 - I tumbled these and have no idea what they are. Tried a few tricks and still only a satin shine. There are shiny specks that look metallic in them. Big Diggins Agate (mexico) Item #2 - I bought about 5 pounds of these really cheap and never did anything with them because I do not know what they are. The matrix feels soft and chalky. Apache tears in matrix - Item #3 - estate sale stuff. The bottom one is kinda creepy now that I see the photo. Maybe I'll keep that one. Canterra opal from Magdalena, Mexico - Item #4 - estate sale stuff Thanks Chuck
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,759
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 6, 2018 22:55:46 GMT -5
Number 3 looks like garnets in matrix. Being very dark they're probably almandine.
Number 4 is definitely Canterra opal from Magdalena, Mexico. Canterra translates as quarry, and he opal occurs as inclusions in the matrix. Not sure of what the matrix is. They're often cut into cabs if there's decent play of color.
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saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
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Post by saxplayer on Nov 6, 2018 22:57:32 GMT -5
I have been trying to clean up my work area a little and came across these items. I'll take any help I can get with identification. Item #1 - I tumbled these and have no idea what they are. Tried a few tricks and still only a satin shine. There are shiny specks that look metallic in them. Item #2 - I bought about 5 pounds of these really cheap and never did anything with them because I do not know what they are. The matrix feels soft and chalky. Item #3 - estate sale stuff. The bottom one is kinda creepy now that I see the photo. Maybe I'll keep that one. Item #4 - estate sale stuff Thanks Chuck [ Is the green rock a form of granite? Sure looks similar.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 6, 2018 23:04:12 GMT -5
Not granite. I am not sure of much but I am sure of that. Very smooth finish before and after tumbling with no undercutting. Granite also takes a better shine. Thanks though.
Chuck
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 6, 2018 23:13:57 GMT -5
I agree with opal. What about zoisite (without ruby) for the green?
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 6, 2018 23:16:04 GMT -5
I agree with opal. What about zoisite (without ruby) for the green? Would zoisite have metallic specks? The color is right and I do not think zoisite takes a high shine easily.
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 6, 2018 23:17:54 GMT -5
I seem to remember the black and metallic specks in some.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 6, 2018 23:21:42 GMT -5
I seem to remember the black and metallic specks in some. Google image search confirmed. We can call that one good. Thanks. Chuck
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saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
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Post by saxplayer on Nov 6, 2018 23:27:44 GMT -5
Not granite. I am not sure of much but I am sure of that. Very smooth finish before and after tumbling with no undercutting. Granite also takes a better shine. Thanks though. Chuck I’m just guessing as I learn
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Post by taylor on Nov 6, 2018 23:44:35 GMT -5
Number 3 looks very similar to some apache tears that I have.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,759
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 7, 2018 1:59:56 GMT -5
Number 3 looks very similar to some apache tears that I have. I think you're right -- apache tears, not garnet. I guessed garnet but couldn't see any crystal faces. The matrix looks more right for apache tears than garnet.
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Post by fernwood on Nov 7, 2018 6:10:46 GMT -5
Agree with #3 as tears.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 7, 2018 7:03:11 GMT -5
Thanks all. I learned something new. I have probably tumbled about 30 pounds of tears and never new they were found in matrix. Might hold onto them now.
Chuck
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Post by fernwood on Nov 7, 2018 7:18:55 GMT -5
Some of the tears I received as a 5 year old were in this type of matrix.
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Post by fernwood on Nov 7, 2018 7:21:08 GMT -5
I have some of the opal, too. Was purchased long ago as Mexican Fire Opal in matrix. Lots of flash.
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Post by beefjello on Nov 7, 2018 7:45:43 GMT -5
Number 2 is Big Diggins agate from New Mexico.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 7, 2018 7:50:17 GMT -5
Number 2 is Big Diggins agate from New Mexico. Awesome. That I really wanted to know what that was. Need to figure out what to do with it now. Looks better suited for face polishing or cabs. Thanks- Chuck
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 7, 2018 8:00:44 GMT -5
Less then 24 hours and all have been identified. Thanks to all who contributed ideas. I think it fun that I have been at this for 7-8 years and still get stumped on a regular basis. Still so much to learn.
Chuck
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hummingbirdstones2
fully equipped rock polisher
Vince A., 1958-2023
Member since August 2018
Posts: 1,461
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Nov 7, 2018 9:55:49 GMT -5
You got all the IDs.
The matrix those apache tears are in is perlite.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 7, 2018 10:08:57 GMT -5
You got all the IDs.
The matrix those apache tears is in is perlite. Thanks, I seen the matrix called out once I googled "apache tears in matrix". The Perlite has a smooth waxy feel to it. Chuck
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