Quartz crystal formation (?)

tims
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Member since May 2015
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Quartz crystal formation (?) Jun 9, 2015 22:41:44 GMT -5 garock, Fossilman, and 4 more like this

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Post by tims on Jun 9, 2015 22:41:44 GMT -5

Another yard find, a block of quartz crystals about 8" x 4" x 3". If I'm mis-identifying please let me know. I assume it's worthless for lapidary work but it's a pretty rock if nothing else ...

jakesrocks In Memoriam RIP Don Woodward AKA jakesrocks Member since April 2010 Posts: 12,696	Quartz crystal formation (?) Jun 9, 2015 22:46:25 GMT -5 gingerkid and snowmom like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by jakesrocks on Jun 9, 2015 22:46:25 GMT -5 I'm thinking it's calcite crystals. See if a crystal will scratch with a pocket knife, or even a nail. Still a very nice display piece.
	Don --- USN Retired

tims freely admits to licking rocks Member since May 2015 Posts: 838	Quartz crystal formation (?) Jun 9, 2015 23:11:06 GMT -5 gingerkid and snowmom like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by tims on Jun 9, 2015 23:11:06 GMT -5 DOES scratch with a nail. Thanks as always for the knowledgeable input.

delo starting to spend too much on rocks Member since February 2014 Posts: 134	Quartz crystal formation (?) Jun 10, 2015 11:23:56 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by delo on Jun 10, 2015 11:23:56 GMT -5 that's a cool piece, i like how its two toned.

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Quartz crystal formation (?) Jun 10, 2015 11:43:03 GMT -5 snowmom likes this

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Post by gingerkid on Jun 10, 2015 11:43:03 GMT -5

It's a very nice piece, and would look awesome displayed indoors, tims. Maybe give it a bath?

Have a couple of pieces of massive calcite (orange and blue) displayed outside in a shaded area. I think calcite will fade if left in direct sunlight, and I think water will affect it, too.

~ Jan ~

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tims
freely admits to licking rocks

Member since May 2015
Posts: 838

Quartz crystal formation (?) Jun 11, 2015 20:32:26 GMT -5

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Post by tims on Jun 11, 2015 20:32:26 GMT -5

Yikes, I've been assuming that water is pretty safe for everything. I did soak it in water for a few hours then used a soft brush to scrub it (prior to photo) and it looked more dull and dirty than before I cleaned it

Still, I doubt I did much more damage than letting it sit outdoors in the weather for decades ...

Are there certain minerals that I should avoid soaking in water?

jakesrocks
In Memoriam

RIP Don Woodward AKA jakesrocks

Member since April 2010
Posts: 12,696

Quartz crystal formation (?) Jun 11, 2015 21:02:07 GMT -5 Fossilman, gingerkid, and 3 more like this

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Post by jakesrocks on Jun 11, 2015 21:02:07 GMT -5

Any of the borate minerals.

For your calcite, soaking over night in warm water with a healthy dose of household bleach shouldn't hurt it. Scrub it with an old tooth brush, and a paint brush for the places the tooth brush won't reach. Then rinse it for several hours in plain water. Change the water a couple times.

Don --- USN Retired

Mark K Cave Dweller Member since April 2012 Posts: 2,819	Quartz crystal formation (?) Jun 11, 2015 21:43:37 GMT -5 unclesoska and tims like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Mark K on Jun 11, 2015 21:43:37 GMT -5 www.facebook.com/groups/657122621047167/

Fossilman Cave Dweller Member since January 2009 Posts: 20,723	Quartz crystal formation (?) Jun 12, 2015 9:52:27 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Fossilman on Jun 12, 2015 9:52:27 GMT -5 Outstanding plate!!!!
	God,family and life.....

tims freely admits to licking rocks Member since May 2015 Posts: 838	Quartz crystal formation (?) Jun 12, 2015 15:28:06 GMT -5 gingerkid likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by tims on Jun 12, 2015 15:28:06 GMT -5 Great info as always, thanks Don. Mark I'll check out that FB page, looks like alot of useful information there as well. Thanks guys.

Pat misunderstood rock expert Member since February 2012 Posts: 11,835	Quartz crystal formation (?) Jun 12, 2015 17:27:52 GMT -5 via mobile gingerkid, spiritstone, and 1 more like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Pat on Jun 12, 2015 17:27:52 GMT -5 Maybe dogtooth calcite.
	Pat

tims freely admits to licking rocks Member since May 2015 Posts: 838	Quartz crystal formation (?) Jun 12, 2015 22:22:47 GMT -5 gingerkid likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by tims on Jun 12, 2015 22:22:47 GMT -5 Googling dogtooth calcite there are many that look very similar, both with the crystal formation and the coloration. I think you might have nailed it Pat