Slydog
has rocks in the head
Member since February 2006
Posts: 555
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Post by Slydog on Feb 3, 2007 16:33:52 GMT -5
Wondering, does anyone have any info on a rock called generically a 'Montana diamond'? It is not a diamond, and is found in the Judith Mountains. I don't think you can tumble them. It might be a crystal of some type, black?
Thanks in advance!
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Feb 3, 2007 18:31:33 GMT -5
I came across a couple of mentions of recent real diamond finds in central montana, but other than retail outlets and sapphires, I don't see much of anything else when I search for Montana Diamonds
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Rockygibraltar
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,404
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Post by Rockygibraltar on Feb 4, 2007 1:01:28 GMT -5
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Post by pho on Feb 4, 2007 9:27:34 GMT -5
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Feb 5, 2007 18:30:46 GMT -5
This thread really raised my curiousity, but I just can't figure it out. Either real diamonds or sapphires make the most sense, but that wouldn't match the black part. Could it possibly be crystals of black tourmaline?
-Don
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mirkaba
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 321
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Post by mirkaba on Feb 5, 2007 19:13:47 GMT -5
When I was shorter I remember a sort of black hematite from over around the Elkhorns being called "Black Diamond" There was also the Black Diamond Mine south of Radersburg. Don't know if there is any connection.........Bob
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Feb 6, 2007 12:16:29 GMT -5
I seem to remeber a reference to Black diamond in refering to COAL??? as both are Carbon based- But I don't remember any Montana link-
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Slydog
has rocks in the head
Member since February 2006
Posts: 555
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Post by Slydog on Feb 6, 2007 14:42:56 GMT -5
Nope, it's not coal. I have little information, as you can see, but I was told this particular crystal is known as 'Montana diamond'. I will be getting some in the spring, will post pics when I do. They definitely are NOT real diamonds. This stuff is found in the Judith Mts someplace. i have been unable to find anything interesting on what the stuff really is.
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Post by akansan on Feb 6, 2007 15:37:24 GMT -5
My guess is a quartz-type point. We have "Pecos Diamonds" down here that are orangish quartz points found on the banks of the Pecos River.
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Feb 6, 2007 17:56:14 GMT -5
Akansan could be right. I did find a place called "Crystal Park" in Montana, where rockhounds dig for quartz crystals. I don't know Montana very well, so don't know if this is in the Judith Mountains or not. Here's an extract, says the place is not far from Butte:
"Johnson said crystal also is easy to spot, particularly at Crystal Park near Butte. Thanks to an agreement between the Forest Service and the Butte Mineral and Gem Club, which holds mining claims, visitors to the park can camp and dig for quartz crystals."
These crystals wouldn't be black of course, so maybe that's not it?
-Don
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,816 
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Post by Mark K on Dec 13, 2012 17:29:53 GMT -5
Montana diamonds are double terminated smoky quartz crystals found on Judith mountain. I was just out in the shed sorting them from the rubble they are found in. I probably have hundreds of them.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 13, 2012 20:40:29 GMT -5
Montana diamonds...I hunt them alot in the Judith Mountains in the Lewistown area...
Usually get an ice cream pail full,some are just poor,some great to fair grade,but a few are totally awesome!
Range from size of 1/2 inch and smaller...
The metrix they are in is like a granite type rock and its hard to work with.I find alot of mine loose from the erotions,just have to dig a bit.
We usually pack a lunch,drive up to the base of the mountain,park and start digging....Its very close to the old Air Force radar site...
I polished mine by hand and just display them in my collection of rocks...
They are six sided in the center,than tapper down to a point on both sides,also six sided....Very cool looking mineral..........
The good ones are black,but can be dark brown and light brown too..........
They do look like quartz more than anything else....
Easy drive to get to them,I would drive a pickup,not a car up that road though(mostly gravel) and have some good brakes!
Beautiful view too,so take your camera!
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,816
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Post by Mark K on Dec 14, 2012 18:58:03 GMT -5
Fossilman is right, bring your camera. These were taken by me in Sept at the top of the mountain.   |
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Post by drocknut on Dec 14, 2012 20:09:01 GMT -5
Great pictures foxtail. I've been there once myself and enjoyed the view too.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 14, 2012 20:37:01 GMT -5
I lived 40 miles from that area,I'm use to the scenery,but its still breath taking!!!!!You pan gold in that area too........
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 16, 2012 9:11:54 GMT -5
Here is one of my best Montana diamond's..........Took alot of cleaning to get it this way too....   |
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 16, 2012 10:19:20 GMT -5
That's really cool. Nobody here knows what kind of rock or mineral it is?
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 16, 2012 15:32:39 GMT -5
That's really cool. Nobody here knows what kind of rock or mineral it is? I have some that are broken,they look like a quartz mineral... |
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hand2mouthmining
spending too much on rocks
Purveyors of California Gem Rock
Member since September 2011
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Post by hand2mouthmining on Dec 16, 2012 21:22:08 GMT -5
Yep, look like Herkimer "diamond" shapes to me ...
Any internal colors, FossilMan?
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,816
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Post by Mark K on Dec 16, 2012 23:00:33 GMT -5
It was my understanding that they were smoky quartz most of the time.
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