|
|
Post by Starguy on Jan 20, 2020 17:53:49 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Starguy on Jan 20, 2020 17:54:56 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by toiv0 on Jan 20, 2020 18:07:30 GMT -5
Its yours if you want it. It is black.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,064 
|
Post by gemfeller on Jan 20, 2020 20:33:45 GMT -5
toiv0 and Starguy, There are two quick identifying methods for polished star diopside. The first is that the rays of the star don't meet at 90-degree angles. One ray is always slightly crooked. The second may or may not be conclusive. Some stones are so heavily impregnated with crystals of magnetite they're attracted to powerful magnets. For those with instruments to do advanced testing, it has a specific gravity (density) ranging from 3.22 to 3.38 and a refractive index of 1.664 to 1.730. It belongs to the monoclinic crystal system and is known to form as columnar crystals.
|
|
|
|
Post by Starguy on Jan 21, 2020 19:48:32 GMT -5
gemfeller toiv0 That’s really interesting to know. I have a pretty good stack of neodymium magnets. I need to dig out the small star diopsides I have to test it. I would probably try floating one on something then see if there is any attraction to these incredibly strong magnets. What a fun rock ID method! I have a pretty big chunk of chromite. The geologists I worked with disagreed about my identification as chromite. I held it near one of our better compasses to show them it’s slight magnetism. They had to agree that the forester/rock hound might be right. Thanks for the info. check out this YouTube video about Neos gemfeller .
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,064
|
Post by gemfeller on Jan 21, 2020 20:51:47 GMT -5
Starguy , Magnetism is a handy way of ID'ing several species of garnets. There are nearly 40 different species of garnets with about 6 useful in gems. Mineralogically, they can be a nightmare to untangle by species because species mix with one another, creating a profusion of colors. Here's an interesting look into how and why it's done. www.gemstonemagnetism.com/understanding_garnets_through_magnetism.html
|
|
|
|
Post by joshuamcduffie on Jan 21, 2020 21:58:54 GMT -5
Its yours if you want it. It is black. If you really want to get rid of that beauty.... |
|
|
|
Post by toiv0 on Jan 21, 2020 23:46:50 GMT -5
Its yours if you want it. It is black. If you really want to get rid of that beauty.... It is promised to Starguy, sorry |
|
