Lapidaryforum.net
Let's Rock => Identifications of Materials => Topic started by: drnihili on March 06, 2015, 11:57:37 AM
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So I picked this rock up off the side of our road because it had a great blue green color to it. Unfortunately, it's too big for my saw, but I managed to get a piece off of it and put a bit of polish on a face. The rock seems to be composed of a variety of small crystals, that seem somewhat fibrous and are oriented in different directions. Overall, the rock is about a 4.5 Mohs, though there is some variation based on which part is scratched.. It's got some nice color, and catches the sunlight will with all the different crystal faces. The pictures below are close ups of about a one inch piece. The real close up is taken through a 9x field microscope to show the crystal and mineral structure. The squarish crystals are much harder than the light green mineral. In the second picture you can see that the polished face shows some differential acceptance of the polish.
The rock seems to have potential to me. Any ideas what it is or how best to get the best outcome with it? Would a picture of the whole rock be helpful?
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Looks like perhaps a variety of serpentine.
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Olivine or olivine basalt. People have a lot of trouble getting a good looking stone from olivine as it loses it's punch when polished.
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How big is it?
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The piece in the picture is about one inch. The rock it is from is probably about 6x8x14. I'm going to cut/break it in two with an angle grinder and some brute force and see if I can cut a slab or five from it.
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When in doubt, cab it! :D
I'll cut anything once, twice if I like it! :D Oh I am making that my new avatar tag line!!! :D
My 12" saw would probably accommodate it if things don't work out for you.
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Take some to the Monroe poultry show tomorrow and ask Emma if it is dunite.
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If it isn't you should start a poll on the forum and let us make up a new name for it. :icon_sunny:
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Take some to the Monroe poultry show tomorrow and ask Emma if it is dunite.
I'll give that a shot Frank, thanks. I dunno if it's dunite, but it's definitely dunnoite. :WEEEE:
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If it isn't you should start a poll on the forum and let us make up a new name for it. :icon_sunny:
Well I just got an angle grinder, so I should be able to finagle a piece that will fit in my saw. Then we'll see what it looks like all cut up nice and proper.
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Based on what I've read so far while researching dunite, I think this is very likely in the periodite family, probably with some chromite mixed in. I don't know if it's pure enough to count as dunite, but that seems to be pretty close.
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Take some to the Monroe poultry show tomorrow and ask Emma if it is dunite.
Well, I got my dates mixed up and showed up for the poultry show on the wrong day. I'll try to stick a piece in the post for your perusal.