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pleiistocene
Joined: 11 Feb 2019
Posts: 3
Location: British Columbia


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Posted: Feb 11, 2019 16:27 Post subject: Mineral Identification |
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I acquired this mineral without any specifications. I need help identifying it!
My guess is that it is Arsenopyrite.
It is black with a metallic lustre, shines blue/purple/green under lighting. The specific gravity is unknown although it is fairly heavy (maybe around 5-6 range). It scratches a knife blade. The specimen is 13cm in length and 9cm at it's widest.
The things that is stumping me is the crystal habit, which I believe isn't common for Arsenopyrite.
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pleiistocene
Joined: 11 Feb 2019
Posts: 3
Location: British Columbia


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Posted: Feb 11, 2019 16:29 Post subject: Re: Mineral Identification |
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Here is another angle.
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kushmeja
Joined: 28 Jul 2014
Posts: 209
Location: New Jersey


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Posted: Feb 11, 2019 16:34 Post subject: Re: Mineral Identification |
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Pretty sure that you have Hematite, in particular bladed Hematite aka Specularite.
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pleiistocene
Joined: 11 Feb 2019
Posts: 3
Location: British Columbia


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Posted: Feb 11, 2019 16:44 Post subject: Re: Mineral Identification |
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Thank you for the quick reply! I did think of that as well, although I know Hematite has a slight magnetism to it but does Specularite usually do too?
This specimen doesn't have any magnetism to it.
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Bob Carnein
Joined: 22 Aug 2013
Posts: 134
Location: Florissant, CO


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Posted: Feb 11, 2019 18:55 Post subject: Re: Mineral Identification |
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This doesn't look like any arsenopyrite I've seen. Hematite is definitely a possibility. Your best test will be to take a piece of unglazed porcelain (the bottom ring on a teacup or plate or the back of a porcelain tile) and rub the specimen against it. If the mineral is hematite, it will leave a red-brown streak.
If the specimen scratches a knife blade easily, it might also be silicon carbide (carbonundum), which often occurs as iridescent hexagonal plates. It's man-made. Hematite isn't much harder than a knife blade, but remember that knife blades themselves don't all have the same hardness.
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Kevin Conroy

Joined: 03 Dec 2018
Posts: 13
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri


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Posted: Feb 11, 2019 20:15 Post subject: Re: Mineral Identification |
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Could you please post a photo of the back of the specimen, showing any matrix that may be present? A close-up of the front and back may also be helpful in the identification.
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alfredo
Site Admin

Joined: 30 Jan 2008
Posts: 719



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Posted: Feb 11, 2019 21:29 Post subject: Re: Mineral Identification |
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Check whether it easily scratches quartz. I'm thinking synthetic silicon carbide.
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makokerowill
Joined: 29 Nov 2018
Posts: 2
Location: Córdoba


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Posted: Feb 12, 2019 03:23 Post subject: Re: Mineral Identification |
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Pyrrhotite?
pleiistocene wrote: | I acquired this mineral without any specifications. I need help identifying it!
My guess is that it is Arsenopyrite.
It is black with a metallic lustre, shines blue/purple/green under lighting. The specific gravity is unknown although it is fairly heavy (maybe around 5-6 range). It scratches a knife blade. The specimen is 13cm in length and 9cm at it's widest.
The things that is stumping me is the crystal habit, which I believe isn't common for Arsenopyrite. |
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James
Site Admin

Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 624
Location: Cambridge



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Posted: Feb 12, 2019 06:16 Post subject: Re: Mineral Identification |
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I tend to agree with Alfredo, until we see if there is any matrix
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