delo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 134
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Post by delo on May 5, 2015 18:02:09 GMT -5
A buddy at work found these in the American Fork River up American Fork Canyon, UT. I told him I didn't have a clue what it was but that I'd check with the wise ones Any help Id-ing would be appreciated! The dark red/orange is gemmy in the sun light. i only had my ipad at work so the pictures are kinda crummy. The dark grey on the top of this rock is composed of drusy crystals. Some other pictures taken indoors.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on May 5, 2015 18:10:37 GMT -5
Kind of like a garnet/crystal cross.............
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jf23
having dreams about rocks
Member since November 2014
Posts: 73
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Post by jf23 on May 5, 2015 23:08:56 GMT -5
I think I am looking for the same mineral name, done with internet search and onto looking through some books, ill post if I find anything close
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spiritstone
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2014
Posts: 2,061
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Post by spiritstone on May 5, 2015 23:45:01 GMT -5
How soft is it? Reminds me off a Mexican fire opal. Another possibility.
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Post by snowmom on May 6, 2015 4:55:37 GMT -5
gingerkid Jan should take a look here!
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delo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 134
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Post by delo on May 6, 2015 8:23:08 GMT -5
It takes a scratch with a pin. I will try to get a video up a little later. The matrix has a kind of layered sheen look that I would compare to mica but in brown and dark orange. Haha, I need to take some better pictures too, now that I'm looking at them again, they're terrible! Thanks jf23, I'll let you know if I find out anything as well.
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jf23
having dreams about rocks
Member since November 2014
Posts: 73
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Post by jf23 on May 6, 2015 21:49:51 GMT -5
Only guess right now is willemite, it looks like it has the right hardness and colors. When a blacklight gets here in a few days, that should tell weather it is willemite or not. Or if you have one, you can try it
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Post by gingerkid on May 7, 2015 7:39:40 GMT -5
Maybe sphalerite? Sphalerite with possibly zincite or ? I read sphalerite will fluoresce orange under UV light.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on May 7, 2015 20:52:42 GMT -5
I thought it was sphalerite too. I don't know where mine is at the moment, or I would post its picture. I bought it with a label on it so... There's a photo of gemmy sphalerite on minerals.net. I wasn't sure if it was OK to post it here but if you follow this link you can find it. Here is the link to minerals.net sphalerite info The link opens in a new tab so you don't lose your place here at RTH.
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Post by jakesrocks on May 7, 2015 21:34:14 GMT -5
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jf23
having dreams about rocks
Member since November 2014
Posts: 73
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Post by jf23 on May 7, 2015 22:20:43 GMT -5
Completely forgot I had a box of mohs scale rocks(again) and i've thought the pins where around 6, so guess that was wrong. If we have the same mineral, 5 marks it and 4 doesn't and has a white streak or no streak, to narrow down the search
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on May 8, 2015 8:47:04 GMT -5
White streak is sphalerite, is it not? I should go back and read my own link instead of skimming! Oh, and check out this page: sphalerite siteHardness 3.5 to 4, streak from v. light brown to yellowish white...we may have a winner here, I dunno. I think if it's a dirty white streak we might be onto something?
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jf23
having dreams about rocks
Member since November 2014
Posts: 73
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Post by jf23 on May 8, 2015 17:16:46 GMT -5
Got me over the the sphalerite side now
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delo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 134
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Post by delo on May 11, 2015 9:28:26 GMT -5
Thank you gingerkid and peachfront and everyone for the identification help! After looking at the links posted and googling a bit, I think you are spot on with sphalerite! I would have never figured that out myself! Cheers!
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Post by gingerkid on May 11, 2015 9:30:54 GMT -5
You are very welcome, delo!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on May 11, 2015 9:58:38 GMT -5
Always great to hear the proper ID was discovered! Thumbs up That's why I like this forum..
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Post by radio on May 11, 2015 13:16:23 GMT -5
I'm not a mineral collector, but I'm leaning toward Orpiment, especially as it scratches with a pin
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