minidrag93
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2023
Posts: 3
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Post by minidrag93 on Mar 12, 2023 18:25:15 GMT -5
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 12, 2023 21:37:23 GMT -5
Hello I'm new to the forum and was hoping an expert could help me identify this. I found it on a beach in South Texas along with other crystals and stones. Someone told me it might be a piece of agatized coral. Its about 5 inches wide and an inch tall. If anyone has an idea of what it might be I would greatly appreciate your input. Welcome aboard!
I can't id it, but it looks like agate.
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 12, 2023 21:44:38 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! I will say it does look like a cookie my wife made last week...and your rocks might be just as hard as the "cookie" she made! LOL
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minidrag93
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2023
Posts: 3
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Post by minidrag93 on Mar 12, 2023 22:35:48 GMT -5
Thank you for the replies, I've never really seen another rock like it. I have a few other rocks I found in the same vicinity on the same day maybe they will help identify this one if anyone is interested in seeing those. Also does anyone have any techniques for cleaning rocks? I was thinking of using citric acid but I'm scared it will erode the crystal under the stony parts. As far as I can tell there is a rough outer shell and chipping away at it has revealed the white parts underneath. I've done the scratch test and a steel knife will scratch and chip the brown parts with little force, but the white parts take zero damage even with a good amount of force. It also scratches glass pretty easily. Not sure if that information will help at all.
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minidrag93
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2023
Posts: 3
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Post by minidrag93 on Mar 12, 2023 22:38:43 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! I will say it does look like a cookie my wife made last week...and your rocks might be just as hard as the "cookie" she made! LOL Thank you for the welcome I appreciate it, and remind me not to buy from your bake sale. LOL just kidding
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 13, 2023 1:22:22 GMT -5
Thank you for the replies, I've never really seen another rock like it. I have a few other rocks I found in the same vicinity on the same day maybe they will help identify this one if anyone is interested in seeing those. Also does anyone have any techniques for cleaning rocks? I was thinking of using citric acid but I'm scared it will erode the crystal under the stony parts. As far as I can tell there is a rough outer shell and chipping away at it has revealed the white parts underneath. I've done the scratch test and a steel knife will scratch and chip the brown parts with little force, but the white parts take zero damage even with a good amount of force. It also scratches glass pretty easily. Not sure if that information will help at all. A lot of folks will use Iron Out to clean up rocks like this. You can do a test with some vinegar to see if acid will affect the crystal areas. I'm betting it won't. (Of course, that's a safe bet because the rock isn't mine! LOL) If you're feeling a little bolder, you can try Oxalic Acid...or if you're really bold, there's always Muriatic Acid. I'm not saying I recommend the latter. If you search on the forums for both of those, you'll get a lot of info. I'm tagging jamesp who is very knowledgeable about coral. I'm going to guess what you have is a Chalcedony...but take my guesses with a grain of salt.
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Post by Peruano on Mar 13, 2023 7:27:32 GMT -5
I suspect it is a chalcedony nodule, and hence will be unaffected by most acids. If it has calcium deposits on it from salt water exposure, some of those will be removed. The problem with many acids is that they don't make salts disappear, they may change them into other salts, some of which are water soluble and some are not so problem remains in a different form. A good scrub in a detergent will remove some stuff, but surface staining is real chore even with chemicals. Hence there are dremels, sand paper, diamond wheels and other instruments for altering the appearance of rocks. You will learn a lot about your rock as you try different techniques.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,169
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Post by jamesp on Mar 13, 2023 7:59:55 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! I will say it does look like a cookie my wife made last week...and your rocks might be just as hard as the "cookie" she made! LOL Probably not coral. Coral has repetitive structure patterns in almost all cases, that one has a totally random structure. Looks like what everyone else said, chalcedony/agate but it may have softer limestone mixed in. Another conclusion - Jason's wife obviously does not keep up with his comments on RTH. I think he is a tough dude but I bet he'd cower like a wimp if his wife read what he wrote
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,169
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Post by jamesp on Mar 13, 2023 8:03:52 GMT -5
As far as as south Texas there is no telling what you will find there minidrag93. You are fortunate to live is S Texas, would be a good thing to get a Texas rock book that gives locations to find cool Tejas rocks.
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 13, 2023 8:55:48 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! I will say it does look like a cookie my wife made last week...and your rocks might be just as hard as the "cookie" she made! LOL Probably not coral. Coral has repetitive structure patterns in almost all cases, that one has a totally random structure. Looks like what everyone else said, chalcedony/agate but it may have softer limestone mixed in. Another conclusion - Jason's wife obviously does not keep up with his comments on RTH. I think he is a tough dude but I bet he'd cower like a wimp if his wife read what he wrote Oh for heaven's sake...if she ever read what I write about her on the forum, I'd likely have no problems...and by no problems, I mean I'd have no problems eating....as it would all be through a straw! LOL I will say I'm pretty stoked that I may have had the call on Chalcedony right!! LOL
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,169
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Post by jamesp on Mar 14, 2023 10:09:14 GMT -5
jasoninsd Or more subtly, she may serve you up out dated food that is going to keep you on the toilet with the runs while she is enjoying her peace and freedom and grinning about her revenge.
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Mark K
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Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,600
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Post by Mark K on Mar 14, 2023 19:22:19 GMT -5
I am guessing that it may be travertine.
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realrockhound
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Member since June 2020
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Post by realrockhound on Mar 14, 2023 19:29:03 GMT -5
It’s a random quartz conglomeration for lack of more scientific terminology. Just a nice piece to wash up and display on your self.
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