Lapidaryforum.net

Let's Rock => Identifications of Materials => Topic started by: wampidy on April 21, 2016, 10:12:03 AM

Title: ID this and win an X-ray
Post by: wampidy on April 21, 2016, 10:12:03 AM

My son picked up this rock after the tiller spit it out of the garden. He could not believe how heavy it is so he brought it to me. I tried to scratch it with a file and no luck there. Did an SG test on it and it came out a whopping 6.97. Streak test was brown to black.

I dug into my book and the only thing close is uraninite because everything else that heavy is way softer, not over three. There is/was a uraninite mine in Lusk Wyoming but I have not researched it. I may be able to get close to a Geiger counter at the college here because they have a large Geology department.

As far as safety goes all I could find was don't eat it, don't breathe it and wash your hands after handling it. I offered to try an X-ray on the grand kids but parents are so damn protective now days.

Any additional info on this would be appreciated.
Jim

(http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h375/wampidy/Rocks/P6130008.jpg) (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/wampidy/media/Rocks/P6130008.jpg.html)
(http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h375/wampidy/Rocks/P6130007.jpg) (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/wampidy/media/Rocks/P6130007.jpg.html)
(http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h375/wampidy/Rocks/P6130006.jpg) (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/wampidy/media/Rocks/P6130006.jpg.html)
(http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h375/wampidy/Rocks/P6130005.jpg) (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/wampidy/media/Rocks/P6130005.jpg.html)
(http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h375/wampidy/Rocks/P6130004.jpg) (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/wampidy/media/Rocks/P6130004.jpg.html)
(http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h375/wampidy/Rocks/P6130003.jpg) (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/wampidy/media/Rocks/P6130003.jpg.html)

It has the greasy look on old surfaces like they described also.

Title: Re: ID this and win an X-ray
Post by: lithicbeads on April 21, 2016, 02:21:01 PM

Folks normally store radioactive specimens away from living quarters as they are always breaking down. You are out in left field on this one but your presumptions seems entirely reasonable.Great mystery.

Title: Re: ID this and win an X-ray
Post by: Gergis on April 21, 2016, 06:51:48 PM

At first glance I would of jist said metal slag but it has a crystalline composure so you seem to be on track with its id. Pretty wild find for a yard find! You live on a old mine dump site maybe?

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: ID this and win an X-ray
Post by: Debbie K on May 04, 2016, 04:30:19 PM

Where are you located? There are a few minerals that are close for SG and hardness; many are in CO and Canada. Two possibilities: Cassiterite and Columbite, at least per my spiffy Mineral Search Program.

Debbie K

Title: Re: ID this and win an X-ray
Post by: wampidy on May 05, 2016, 09:21:39 AM

@Debbie K Thanks for checking on this rock. I had eliminated those two because the cassiterite is translucent and the columbite - tantalite was off in looks and description.

I need to get to the geology department soon because they are almost finished with this semester. Tomorrow is always good. :)
Jim

Title: Re: ID this and win an X-ray
Post by: Enchantra on May 05, 2016, 09:42:54 AM

I second the plan of heading in to the geology department.  They have the tools to properly identify it.
It's it's not radioactive, you could make some killer cabs and pendants from it!   :thumbsup:

Title: Re: ID this and win an X-ray
Post by: wampidy on May 05, 2016, 09:51:24 PM

 :LOLOL: :LOLOL: :LOLOL:

Title: Re: ID this and win an X-ray
Post by: Redrummd on May 05, 2016, 11:19:45 PM

Magnetic test results?

Title: Re: ID this and win an X-ray
Post by: wampidy on May 06, 2016, 05:51:12 AM

Sorry, I should have mentioned this at the start. Not magnetic and not attracted to a magnet.
Jim