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James Gainn
Joined: 03 Jun 2019
Posts: 4
Location: Bedfordshire
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 Posted: Jan 29, 2021 15:58 Post subject: Metallic / crystalline flat beach find. |
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Found a little while ago on a beach in torquay, Devon. Non magnetic, and very sparkly. Tapping it with a small tool to get some encrusted dirt off released a few very small and thin glittery specks.
Weight 24 grams.
My first thought due to location was that it was probably some sort of tin, but I can't find anything that looks much like this.
Thank you for any assistance.
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Bob Carnein
Joined: 22 Aug 2013
Posts: 327
Location: Florissant, CO
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| Posted: Jan 29, 2021 16:17 Post subject: Re: Metallic / crystalline flat beach find. |
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| This looks like a piece of garnet-mica schist. Are the dark pieces harder than glass or a knife blade? Based on your photos, I think the "sparkly" stuff is most likely muscovite mica.
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Kevin Schofield
Joined: 05 Jan 2018
Posts: 162
Location: Beacon NY
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| Posted: Jan 29, 2021 16:47 Post subject: Re: Metallic / crystalline flat beach find. |
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| Bob Carnein wrote: | | This looks like a piece of garnet-mica schist. Are the dark pieces harder than glass or a knife blade? Based on your photos, I think the "sparkly" stuff is most likely muscovite mica. |
I would concur with Bob's assessment. A possible source is the Start Complex, a group of Devonian metamorphic rocks outcropping about ten miles to the south-south east, although the grade of metamorphism may not be sufficient to generate garnet.
Another option is that it is entirely more exotic, and originated as ship's ballast...this part of the Devonshire coast is a notable "ship's graveyard".
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James Gainn
Joined: 03 Jun 2019
Posts: 4
Location: Bedfordshire
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| Posted: Jan 29, 2021 20:20 Post subject: Re: Metallic / crystalline flat beach find. |
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| Bob Carnein wrote: | | This looks like a piece of garnet-mica schist. Are the dark pieces harder than glass or a knife blade? Based on your photos, I think the "sparkly" stuff is most likely muscovite mica. |
Thanks, I managed to get some scratches on a bit of steel pipe with the darker bits, but it didn't touch a piece of quartz, and after looking at many images of other pieces of garnet-mica schist that seems like it would fit.
It's a nice looking thing that adds a bit of sparkle to my collection so at least I have a better idea what it is now.
Thank you for the answers.
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