herchenx
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Member since January 2012
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Post by herchenx on Jul 15, 2012 17:10:01 GMT -5
When I was up in Wyoming back in early June, I found one specimen that was unlike anything else we saw out there. We were in a sandy/eroded area with lots of belamnite fossils and not much else to speak of, and I found this crystalline specimen: It is pretty clear, but has an interesting pattern to it. Someone speculated it was selenite, but there was nothing else out there like this at all. I didn't see anything else transparent or crystalline. Someone speculated that it could be a fugurite - fused glass from a lightning strike. I don't think this is, because it is not a tube, it appears to be a crystalline structure that has a center core with angled crystals coming off the sides. Interesting, not really sure what it is, but fun to speculate.
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Post by Pat on Jul 15, 2012 19:04:49 GMT -5
I don't know. Interesting though. Maybe it was the core of something and the something has eroded away. All the fulgerites I have seen are opaque black.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 15, 2012 19:18:12 GMT -5
Possibly a tectite ?
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herchenx
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Member since January 2012
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Post by herchenx on Jul 15, 2012 20:20:45 GMT -5
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Post by Pat on Jul 15, 2012 20:46:59 GMT -5
I'm not familiar with therockshed.com, but their photo does look very similar. Have you tried mindat.org?
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herchenx
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Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jul 15, 2012 20:49:05 GMT -5
therockshed is where I buy all my grit, where I got my new tumblers and where I generally buy tumbling rough from if I want something specific, they are great folks.
I have looked around, but I am not seeing other selenite pics that look like mine.
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herchenx
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Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jul 15, 2012 20:50:19 GMT -5
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Post by Pat on Jul 15, 2012 20:55:43 GMT -5
Maybe you've nailed it. Thanks for the recommendation. I've bookmarked therockshed.
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unclestu
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Post by unclestu on Jul 15, 2012 22:00:15 GMT -5
That does look to be selenite as my wife has a good deal of it for metaphysical purposes. Senite is a form of Gypsum. It is very soft (Mos2) as is Alabaster another of the gypsums. Selenite is a clear variety of gypsum though it could be translucent as a result of other minerals or microcrystal on the surface. Selenite will also feel a little warm to the touch as it has a thermo insulating quality. Selenite also often has striations The above should help you in your ID and lastly Selenite and water do not mix. If submerged in water for any length of time Selenite will degrade. Stu
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Post by texaswoodie on Jul 16, 2012 8:43:04 GMT -5
The crystaline structure suggests Selenite.
Curt
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by carloscinco on Jul 16, 2012 20:58:29 GMT -5
Looks like the selenite I've picked up around here.
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rallyrocks
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Post by rallyrocks on Jul 18, 2012 15:33:07 GMT -5
If it is selenite the softness should be a dead givaway, can you scratch it with your fingernail? if it's too hard for that, it probably is not selenite.
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garock
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Post by garock on Jul 19, 2012 9:00:29 GMT -5
It maybe Gypsum !! Selenite and gypsum are similar.
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Don
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He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
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Post by Don on Jul 19, 2012 12:02:20 GMT -5
If anyone is interested in selenite, I have easy access to a large source of it.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jul 19, 2012 12:46:29 GMT -5
Agree with rallyrocks. Try a scratch test to determine hardness.
Chuck
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herchenx
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Member since January 2012
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Post by herchenx on Jul 20, 2012 13:51:19 GMT -5
it is, the same as some other forms of selenite I have!
Thanks all.
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rallyrocks
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Post by rallyrocks on Jul 20, 2012 18:49:13 GMT -5
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