|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Jul 31, 2018 22:26:31 GMT -5
I know there are places that do it, but I don't know what they are called to find one. Do you know the name or any places that will test a rock to see what it is?
|
|
RWA3006
Cave Dweller 
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,621 
|
Post by RWA3006 on Jul 31, 2018 22:43:26 GMT -5
Sorry, no help except to volunteer to lick it. This wouldn't be to test that stuff that looked like mutton fat would it?
|
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Aug 1, 2018 0:29:47 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by pauls on Aug 1, 2018 2:30:26 GMT -5
That depends on what sort of "rock"
Mineral, many gem clubs have keen mineral collectors as members, museums often have geology type people on staff, Universities that have geology departments.
For Gem type rocks, Saphires, Topaz etc then a gemmologist can help.
If it's just a rock not a mineral or gem (Gems are actually minerals) then they can be a mixture of all sorts of things and they just go by made up on the spot names, place where they were found with ite stuck on the end etc.
Good luck with it.
|
|
|
|
Post by vegasjames on Aug 1, 2018 3:05:20 GMT -5
Acme Labs does a full rock analysis and identification for about $60. There is an office in Sparks, Nevada,
|
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Aug 1, 2018 5:00:33 GMT -5
Sorry, no help except to volunteer to lick it. This wouldn't be to test that stuff that looked like mutton fat would it? Yeah, it would. When I met the woman that gifted it to me, she swore it was jade. And, the more I look at it, the more I wonder. It is either virtually worthless or cabbable and I need to know. It's driving me crazy.  |
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Aug 1, 2018 5:05:32 GMT -5
Acme Labs does a full rock analysis and identification for about $60. There is an office in Sparks, Nevada, Knowing you mine materials, have you used them before? |
|
minerken
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2013
Posts: 466
|
Post by minerken on Aug 1, 2018 9:02:17 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by vegasjames on Aug 1, 2018 23:38:22 GMT -5
Acme Labs does a full rock analysis and identification for about $60. There is an office in Sparks, Nevada, Knowing you mine materials, have you used them before? Yes, but not the whole rock analysis. I was doing atomic absorption spectrometer analysis on a suspected meteorite and a fee other unidentified stones. |
|
RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,621
|
Post by RWA3006 on Aug 3, 2018 21:06:39 GMT -5
I had a similar problem four years ago when I found what I thought was a white nephrite boulder in Wyoming. I asked on this forum and didn't get much feedback, but eventually learned I needed to have an x ray diffraction test done on a sample. My feeble memory says the sample needed to be the size of a walnut and it would destroy it.
Somebody told me there is a lab in the Northwest that tests jade this way. I never followed up on it and have since forgotten the lab I was told about. I'll dig around and see if I can resurrect the info.
|
|
NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,688
|
Post by NRG on Aug 4, 2018 10:55:24 GMT -5
I had a similar problem four years ago when I found what I thought was a white nephrite boulder in Wyoming. I asked on this forum and didn't get much feedback, but eventually learned I needed to have an x ray diffraction test done on a sample. My feeble memory says the sample needed to be the size of a walnut and it would destroy it. Somebody told me there is a lab in the Northwest that tests jade this way. I never followed up on it and have since forgotten the lab I was told about. I'll dig around and see if I can resurrect the info. Still have the Boulder? |
|
pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
|
Post by pizzano on Aug 4, 2018 14:01:33 GMT -5
I know there are places that do it, but I don't know what they are called to find one. Do you know the name or any places that will test a rock to see what it is? I attempted to have the Utah material I collected awhile back (I started a thread on the journey), at a local University. At the time the Geology Prof's were to busy to lend a hand. But it was suggested that I give it another shot during the early Summer (June/July) while the Prof's are still around (cleaning-up end of quarter business).......Most University Geology Departments have the tools (XRF hand held analyzers) and you just might find a willing/available instructor who will take the time to satisfy ones curiosity.......for free.
I have not had time to re-address my Utah collection......but have kept in correspondence with one of the Prof's I met. He will be available the first week in September, so I might just give it another try.
|
|
RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,621
|
Post by RWA3006 on Aug 4, 2018 19:40:02 GMT -5
I had a similar problem four years ago when I found what I thought was a white nephrite boulder in Wyoming. I asked on this forum and didn't get much feedback, but eventually learned I needed to have an x ray diffraction test done on a sample. My feeble memory says the sample needed to be the size of a walnut and it would destroy it. Somebody told me there is a lab in the Northwest that tests jade this way. I never followed up on it and have since forgotten the lab I was told about. I'll dig around and see if I can resurrect the info. Still have the Boulder? Yes, it's about 70 pounds and I found it among other jade nodules that were more typical Wyoming colors. There was nothing like it in the whole area. I'm fairly confident it's jade. |
|
NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,688
|
Post by NRG on Aug 4, 2018 21:54:40 GMT -5
Sounds like a bell when hammered? Scratches with quartz, not with agate? How much diagnostics have you done? Maybe start another thread? I hope you do have white Jade! RWA3006 |
|
RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,621
|
Post by RWA3006 on Aug 4, 2018 22:27:05 GMT -5
Sounds like a bell when hammered? Scratches with quartz, not with agate? How much diagnostics have you done? Maybe start another thread? I hope you do have white Jade! RWA3006[/quote It rings like a bell and pocket knife blade won't scratch it. Typical greasy luster. Weighs about the same as other jade chunks I have that are similar size. Specific gravity is probably close to Nephrite. I started a thread about it four years ago but it didn't go anywhere. I haven't had a lab test it because of my reluctance to cut a piece off it to send in. Decided to keep it as is because it's very beautiful the way I found it. I'll have to post a photo some time. Sorry for the thread jack. |
|
