texasroy
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Post by texasroy on Jun 20, 2017 13:59:03 GMT -5
We hunted a couple of weekends ago in Mason, TX and we are pretty sure we found some Topaz, but also wanted others opinions. This first one is extremely brilliant, refracts colors all around like a diamond as you mpve it and looks flawless. I had a question - How do pieves like this come to be? Are they a flake from where a crystal broke away at a cleavage point? Please let me know yalls thoughts on these: Found by my 5 year old and 8 year old, 5 year old was shoveling, 8 year old was sifting This appears to be a crystal of topaz - found by by 7 year old son This one sure looks like some sherry colored topaz but I am not sure...
And then what is this? Just quartz? No way this is topaz, right?
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Post by coloradocliff on Jun 20, 2017 15:29:29 GMT -5
Smokey quartz look to part of it..also topaz. Opinions from better sources?
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Sabre52
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Post by Sabre52 on Jun 21, 2017 6:30:57 GMT -5
Yeah, thinking quartz on those. Topaz I've seen is more worn pebbles but I'm not a mineral guy so I could be wrong. My wife is crazy for Texas topaz....Mel
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texasroy
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Post by texasroy on Jun 21, 2017 8:10:59 GMT -5
The top piece and small crystal are topaz. They sink in bromoform. Haven't tested the others yet. They have the bromoform at some gem shops in Mason.
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Post by fantastic5 on Jun 21, 2017 8:13:08 GMT -5
The one that is a potential sherry topaz, does it come to a point, or is it blunt? All the topaz that I have ever found are water worn round float (Colorado)or blunt on the ends (Topaz Mtn, Utah) . Topaz: Quartz: And if you have a small accurate scale at home the easiest thing would be to do a specific gravity test. Topaz is heavier than quartz, and it should help you rule out quartz pretty easily. Specific Gravity Test
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Post by fantastic5 on Jun 21, 2017 8:22:22 GMT -5
The top piece and small crystal are topaz. They sink in bromoform. Haven't tested the others yet. They have the bromoform at some gem shops in Mason. Never heard of bromoform before. Just did some quick reading. Is it accurate for larger size pieces. All the info I found discusses sand sized, or grinding the material to sand sized first. If accurate on larger pieces, this would be way easier than using the scale for a quick yes/no on quartz.
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texasroy
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Post by texasroy on Jun 21, 2017 9:29:54 GMT -5
So the sherry piece its not a point where they all touch. Its more like the tip of the 1st topaz drawing you have posted but you can tell water has shaped it somewhat.don't get me wrong. I still cant tell for sure. If it is topaz its a nice sized chunk. We spent all day at the seaquist ranch in Mason tx digging in creek beds and under granite boulders and outcroppings.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2017 11:30:15 GMT -5
All the Mason topaz I've seen has all been rounded and weathered out of tough conglomerate (I have a few chunks of the conglomerate somewhere with rounded pebbles of topaz and quartz sticking out). No complete crystals. Topaz (Mohs 8) is also harder than quartz, so if it easily scratches a known piece of quartz (Mohs 7), then that is an easy way to distinguish, too.
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Post by 1dave on Jun 22, 2017 3:58:33 GMT -5
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texasroy
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Post by texasroy on Jun 22, 2017 4:17:03 GMT -5
Thanks. We spent our time on the Seaquist Ranch. The more I research and look at it this sherry piece I'm becoming more and more convinced it is topaz. I sure hope so. When my 7 year old, digging in the sandy/rocky dry creek bed found the perfect crystal. Ive never seen a kid so pumped up, excited, proud and grinning from ear to ear. He was 10 yards or so away from me and my wife and he came running holding it out in his fingers yelling I found a crystal. I found it all by myself. The pride he exuded and sense of accomplishment and confidence. Man. I tell you. If anyone ever wonders is it worth 13 hours in the sun in 95 degree Texas heat with the wife and kids. Absolutely.
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Post by fantastic5 on Jun 22, 2017 8:11:29 GMT -5
Thanks. We spent our time on the Seaquist Ranch. The more I research and look at it this sherry piece I'm becoming more and more convinced it is topaz. I sure hope so. When my 7 year old, digging in the sandy/rocky dry creek bed found the perfect crystal. Ive never seen a kid so pumped up, excited, proud and grinning from ear to ear. He was 10 yards or so away from me and my wife and he came running holding it out in his fingers yelling I found a crystal. I found it all by myself. The pride he exuded and sense of accomplishment and confidence. Man. I tell you. If anyone ever wonders is it worth 13 hours in the sun in 95 degree Texas heat with the wife and kids. Absolutely. What a great experience! These are memories that you both will cherish. I loved to take my son when he was younger (read not a teenager) rock collecting. His favorite thing was to swing a sledge hammer. I have pictures of him with a hammer nearly his size. Was so proud to open up that rock and find an amethyst crystal. To date he has found the biggest amethyst in the family (not inside, but float like your son). About as big around as a soda can.
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minerken
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Post by minerken on Jun 22, 2017 8:52:35 GMT -5
Boy unless I'm not seeing things right that small euhedral crystal has me confused. From what I can see it appears to be 6 sided with a 6 sided termination putting it in the trigonal/hexagonal crystal system, which would make it quartz or some other hexagonal mineral like beryl(not likely though). Topaz falls in the orthorombic system and usually forms a 4 sided termination,BUT the terminations can be very complex. The crystal also doesn't show any striations on the stem which is pretty diagnostic for topaz. I am very surprized it doesn't float in bromoform unless the bromoform is diluted. The other fractured pieces 4-5 do look like it may be right for topaz especially 5 I think I can actually see some remnant striations. Nice find no matter.
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texasroy
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Post by texasroy on Jun 22, 2017 11:09:50 GMT -5
So the crystal and ill post a better pic when I get back home is 5 sided. One side is way wider than the other 4. What's also weird is the sides come together near the top at 4 points and the top is a small square instead of a sharp pencil tip if that makes sense. I'm a rookie so trust me I couldve messed up.
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Post by 1dave on Jun 22, 2017 17:43:00 GMT -5
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texasroy
starting to shine!
Member since June 2017
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Post by texasroy on Jun 22, 2017 20:49:46 GMT -5
I give up. I'm buying a gem tester.
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texasroy
starting to shine!
Member since June 2017
Posts: 27
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Post by texasroy on Jun 22, 2017 20:51:46 GMT -5
The clear piece on here looks just like the sherry piece I have except the base. I need to take some better pictures. I wish there was a weekly in person meeting!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2017 22:36:01 GMT -5
Topaz scratches quartz
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2017 22:39:20 GMT -5
Ummmm..... Yikes! That is ten pound faceted topaz! THey made a nice preform. Now finish the sphere!
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minerken
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Post by minerken on Jun 22, 2017 23:35:50 GMT -5
I give up. I'm buying a gem tester. hey didn't mean to start something to get you frustrated. I was just stating an opinion from my initial observations, pictures are worth a thousand words but can also be deceptive. Had you asked (which you didn't) what is this crystal? I would have answered quartz without hesitation and I may be very wrong. This old rock and mineral world can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. The main point is to have fun so don't let me rain on your parade.
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texasroy
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Member since June 2017
Posts: 27
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Post by texasroy on Jun 22, 2017 23:47:05 GMT -5
Don't worry you didn't. I said it laughing. I've read and read and read and just can't quiet figure it out. I guess the quick satisfaction side of me does wish it was easier. But I was just playing. I appreciate all the pics, feedback and education. Its why I signed up.
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