|
|
Post by 1dave on Feb 28, 2014 10:41:57 GMT -5
An extension of Geology for Rockhounds.  rockpowell and Sugar Babe visit one of their secret  slave labor Garnet Mines in the Wah Wah Mountains. Ants labor without pay extracting garnets, piling them on top of their ant hill. As garnets have lots of iron in them, a magnet covered with a baggie after being connected to an old ski pole easily attracts the garnets. Reverse the baggie and pull it off the magnet full of the stolen garnets,  then off to the next slave mine.  Checking anthills will reveal what crystals are in the area - quartz, garnet, peridot, etc. Those little guys explore the underground far better than we can.  EDIT: gingerkid asked "What kind of garnets?" I blithely replied "Almandine because they are magnetic so must have a lot of iron." gemfeller pointed out "All garnets are magnetic!" and pointed out a fantastic website! A couple of brief glimpses:   |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2014 10:48:44 GMT -5
That is way coool. I think I will invent a gold magnet.
Jim
|
|
jollyrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 409
|
Post by jollyrockhound on Feb 28, 2014 12:13:08 GMT -5
I like it good idea!! works for meteorites as well then
|
|
|
|
Post by gingerkid on Feb 28, 2014 12:39:26 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing this with us!  I've read about the ants collecting chromium pyrope garnet (Ant Hill) and peridot in Arizona, but didn't know that they collected garnets in Utah, too! Those ants have very good taste in gems! Is it grossular garnet that the ants are collecting? I wondered if they were grossular since I have a specimen from the location, but it's on tuff and pumice. Are they using an earth magnet on the end of the ski pole? |
|
|
|
Post by 1dave on Mar 1, 2014 4:28:09 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing this with us! I've read about the ants collecting chromium pyrope garnet (Ant Hill) and peridot in Arizona, but didn't know that they collected garnets in Utah, too! Those ants have very good taste in gems! Is it grossular garnet that the ants are collecting? I wondered if they were grossular since I have a specimen from the location, but it's on tuff and pumice. Are they using an earth magnet on the end of the ski pole? Because of the purple color and magnetic properties I'm pretty sure they are Almandine garnets - Fe 3Al 2(SiO 4) 3Yes, we use 75 lb pull rare earth magnets for meteorites, 40-50 lb for garnets so we don't tear the baggies apart trying to get them off! |
|
|
|
Post by Roller on Mar 1, 2014 8:01:17 GMT -5
Great post !
|
|
|
|
Post by gingerkid on Mar 1, 2014 13:34:42 GMT -5
Thanks for your reply, Dave! Love the picture you added of the ants' home that you added to your post!
|
|
|
|
Post by Toad on Mar 1, 2014 16:57:58 GMT -5
So where is a pic of the garnets?
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059 
|
Post by gemfeller on Mar 1, 2014 17:29:19 GMT -5
The iron-based pyrope-almandines are quite magnetic but manganese spessartines are extremely so. Magnetism has become a very helpful method of gem identification in recent years. It's non-destructive and special equipment has been designed for the purpose. This website has lots of detail and some helpful charts. Garnets are a LOT more complicated than is generally believed. gemstonemagnetism.com/template.html |
|
granite
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2014
Posts: 18
|
Post by granite on Mar 1, 2014 18:08:57 GMT -5
Very cool
neodymium magnets are easily acquired in computer hard drives. just need a set of torx security bits to get them out.
I have a few extra if anyone wants one.
We will for sure check out the ant hills this summer my boy will get a kick out of it. I will have to replace slave labor with "helping us" though lol
Happy hunting
Matt
|
|
|
|
Post by 1dave on Mar 2, 2014 10:10:39 GMT -5
The iron-based pyrope-almandines are quite magnetic but manganese spessartines are extremely so. Magnetism has become a very helpful method of gem identification in recent years. It's non-destructive and special equipment has been designed for the purpose. This website has lots of detail and some helpful charts. Garnets are a LOT more complicated than is generally believed. gemstonemagnetism.com/template.htmlSincere thanks to gemfeller for the website and letting me know I don't know what I'm talking about!  gingerkid , this new info will be added to the first post. Sorry I lied. Dave |
|
Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,818
|
Post by Mark K on Mar 2, 2014 23:27:59 GMT -5
I just checked some of mine with a RE magnet and they barely stick. A few will, but most will not. Two different types of magnet actually. RE cylinder and hard drive magnet.
|
|
jollyrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 409
|
Post by jollyrockhound on Mar 2, 2014 23:32:26 GMT -5
Love garnets thanks for the post I know where there is tons here in Oregon.
|
|
|
|
Post by gingerkid on Mar 3, 2014 15:58:19 GMT -5
Hi, foxtail, I think one method (floatation method) is to place the garnet on something that floats in a glass of water, then use an earth magnet to see if it will pull the garnet. ?? Will see if I can find more info.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,607
Member is Online
|
Post by jamesp on Mar 3, 2014 20:00:19 GMT -5
Forty years ago i was told that one color was nonexistent in garnets. I think it was blue. Anyone ?
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059
|
Post by gemfeller on Mar 3, 2014 20:50:23 GMT -5
Not any longer James. Blue garnets (color-change) were discovered about 12 years ago in Bekily, Madagascar. One is pictured in the link I posted about gem magnetism and in 1dave's post upthread. I know a gem dealer in Los Angeles who was among the first to import those stones. He said he had a few that held the blue hue in all lighting conditions.
|
|
Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,818
|
Post by Mark K on Mar 3, 2014 21:31:22 GMT -5
There is a place where I can go when I journey that has billions of garnets if you are willing to look for them. The problem is that you have to work at it.
For a minute I was thinking- Washed sand + powerful magnet = easier pickings. Alas, it was not to be. Another fantasy gone before it truly began.
|
|
|
|
Post by 1dave on Mar 4, 2014 9:22:46 GMT -5
There is a place where I can go when I journey that has billions of garnets if you are willing to look for them. The problem is that you have to work at it. For a minute I was thinking- Washed sand + powerful magnet = easier pickings. Alas, it was not to be. Another fantasy gone before it truly began. Your garnets must be those on the low end of the magnetic scale. The best magnet deals I have found are: www.kjmagnetics.com/products.asp?cat=183For meteorites we use this one. Perhaps you need a 500 pound pull magnet? Look at what these little ones can do! |
|
Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,818
|
Post by Mark K on Mar 4, 2014 17:22:49 GMT -5
These magnets will pinch a blood blister if you are not careful.
I think you are right about the low end of the scale.
That is ok though because the people who end up with my washed and sifted sand love to dig through it to find treasures.
There was one bag that produced enough garnets that you could feel the weight in your hand.
|
|
rockpowell and Sugar Babe visit one of their secret 
slave labor Garnet Mines in the Wah Wah Mountains.
then off to the next slave mine.
