tom
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 50
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Post by tom on Mar 31, 2009 19:12:58 GMT -5
Found these along a dirt road. They are highly concentrated with iron. The first one looked like the others, but has been buffed on a wire wheel to show its underlying color. At first thought, they were meteorites, due to their weight, based on size, and highly attracted to a magnet. Took them to a local rock and gem show, and was heart broken to hear them say they weren't meteorites. Like to hear what you think.   Some one told me they could be a by-product from a rock processing plant, since they were found along a dirt road, or welding slag. |
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Mar 31, 2009 19:35:36 GMT -5
yeah, those look like welding or blast furnace slag...I find lots of that type of thing in odd places, but usually in areas that had oil drilling or near roads... I did find one meteorite however...it was in the middle of nowhere, not close to any roads or oil drilling sites. I took it to the local geological museum and they ID'd it as almost certainly a meteorite...here's a photo for comparison...  |
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tom
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 50
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Post by tom on Mar 31, 2009 19:53:28 GMT -5
Very COOL! Now I know some what to look for, but these things dont always look like yours.
I'd like to find one someday. Always have my metal detector at my side.
Thank you for the picture. Mike
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 31, 2009 20:44:10 GMT -5
I don't know much about meteorites but I believe you generally see flow lines from surface heating/melting on entering the atmosphere. You can see in Mike's picture what direction the rock was moving. Not too far from me there are lots of small magnetite rocks. There is also some hematite which isn't magnetic unless it is the magic stuff from China (man made). They are attracted to magnets as are rocks with lots of iron. All meteorites are not iron. There are also "stoney" meteorites which may not have enough iron to be attracted by magnets. I think if you want to find meteorites you need to start by researching known fall areas. Then learn to recognize "flow lines". Then find out about the other materials in the area. Oil wells/welding would be a given in your area I'm guessing. Learn what the slag looks like.
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UtahRockHound
spending too much on rocks
Sometimes your the Windshield, sometimes your the Rock.
Member since May 2008
Posts: 301
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Post by UtahRockHound on Mar 31, 2009 22:04:08 GMT -5
The real test is to slice one with a diamond blade. Go real slow as not to destroy the blade. Smooth it just like a normal stone, then treat it with a quick dose of Battery Acid. You only need a dropper full. Then rinse it off. If you see a Crystal structure, then it is a Meteorite. Slag, or natural metal does not have the Crystal formation. This link will teach you a lot. Take the time to figure out what you have. meteorites.wustl.edu/meteorwrongs/meteorwrongs.htmThe Ten Commandments of: Signs of being a Meteorite.  _________________________________________ 1.Meteorites do not make a scratch mark color on a unpainted glazed type tile. 2.They are usually heavier then the normal rock...some are not, but those are very rare to find. 3.Meteorites come in many colors and different shapes. Are always magnetic 4.Could have a thin burnt crust if newly found, just fallen,ones that do not are very old and rusting. 5.Magnetite and Hematite have the same type of symptoms of meteorites...but they are NOT meteorites. 6.Rocks that put streaks of black,light Grey,pencil Grey,reddish or any color on any test tile are not a meteorite. 7.The crust may put a color..you will have to grind a little spot ,then do the test scratch on that spot and see if it leaves a color..There should not be any color after the streak test is done. 8.Check your rock with "The gallery of Meteorite wrongs" Put that in your computer search box, it will let you know where to go!Believe me I have used it many times myself for comparing my own meteorite finds.It works! 9.The tests above are not all conclusive to answer for there are rare types of meteorites, all depends on the type you found. 10.If you suspect it could still be a meteorite, a test lab is the only way to get the real answer. |
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tom
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 50
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Post by tom on Apr 1, 2009 6:46:57 GMT -5
Thanks for the link Utah Rock Hound. I missed that link on previous searches.
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