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mcclureirl
Joined: 21 Jul 2020
Posts: 3
Location: Houston
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 Posted: Jul 21, 2020 23:41 Post subject: Pyrargyrite, Pyrite any ideas? |
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I found this rock on a trail in Breckenridge, CO. The rock was next to a tree in the dirt close to a river. I noticed the white face with the dark metallic crystals. When I pulled it out of the dirt I noticed the back had a some nice looking dark metallic crystals embedded. There is a slight yellowish tint to these metallic dark crystals.
I was curious if anyone had any ideas what this could be? I am not an expert and fairly new at rock collecting.
Any suggestions on how to I should go about cleaning this up?
| Locality: | | Breckenridge District, Summit County, Colorado, USA |  |
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| Dimensions: | 4 cm x 4 cm x 8 cm |
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| Locality: | | Breckenridge District, Summit County, Colorado, USA | |
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| Dimensions: | 4 cm x 4 cm x 8 cm |
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| Back Side (Deepest in Earth) |
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7005 Time(s) |
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| Locality: | | Breckenridge District, Summit County, Colorado, USA | |
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Volkmar Stingl
Joined: 23 Sep 2012
Posts: 985
Location: Innsbruck
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| Posted: Jul 22, 2020 00:06 Post subject: Re: Pyrargyrite, Pyrite any ideas? |
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| I think, this is a massive chunk of quartz with patches of biotite (mica). The yellow-green in the second picture seems to be a reflection on a mica (maybe muskovite?), but could also be pyrite. A better photo would help.
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mcclureirl
Joined: 21 Jul 2020
Posts: 3
Location: Houston
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| Posted: Jul 22, 2020 00:24 Post subject: Re: Pyrargyrite, Pyrite any ideas? |
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| Volkmar Stingl wrote: | | I think, this is a massive chunk of quartz with patches of biotite (mica). The yellow-green in the second picture seems to be a reflection on a mica (maybe muskovite?), but could also be pyrite. A better photo would help. |
Volkmar,
Thanks for the response! You are right, this does look like biotite now that I have seen some images online. Attached is another of the second image. Let me know what you think.
| Locality: | | Breckenridge District, Summit County, Colorado, USA | |
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| Dimensions: | 4 cm x 4 cm x 8 cm |
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Volkmar Stingl
Joined: 23 Sep 2012
Posts: 985
Location: Innsbruck
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| Posted: Jul 22, 2020 05:55 Post subject: Re: Pyrargyrite, Pyrite any ideas? |
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| I think, it is also mica (with another orientation, therefore the reflections). But I am not completely sure, because the picture is a little bit out of focus.
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Peter Megaw
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 973
Location: Tucson, Arizona
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| Posted: Jul 22, 2020 08:21 Post subject: Re: Pyrargyrite, Pyrite any ideas? |
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Massive quartz looks right, cant tell about much else. This could be a discard from one of the many vein mines in that area. If you're determined it's worth cleaning you can start with a 2 day soak in soapy water followed by a brisk hosing...being careful not to dislodge any of the other bits ( test with your fingers first to see if they're loose. If that simple approach doesn't get it clean enough for you...it looks like it will still have a rusty staining on it...your local hardware store sells something called Iron Out, which will remove rusty stains. It works best with hot water and may take 2 or 3 soakings in IO to come clean. IO is not an aggressive chemical, but it is a chemical so follow the safety precautions on the container, wear rubber gloves and don't breathe the fumes. Outside is best
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mcclureirl
Joined: 21 Jul 2020
Posts: 3
Location: Houston
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| Posted: Jul 22, 2020 12:59 Post subject: Re: Pyrargyrite, Pyrite any ideas? |
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Thanks for your suggestions Peter. I am fairly new at collecting and appreciate the tips. I will clean it up a bit, mainly to see the crystals better.
Volkmar, thanks for your responses. It is definitely tricky getting the focus right on this piece. I will clean it up a bit and see if that helps. I am more leaning towards your suggestion of mica. Maybe the cleaning will help. Thanks again.
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R Saunders
Joined: 28 Jul 2018
Posts: 126
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Jul 23, 2020 07:57 Post subject: Re: Pyrargyrite, Pyrite any ideas? |
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| Peter Megaw wrote: | | Massive quartz looks right, cant tell about much else. This could be a discard from one of the many vein mines in that area. If you're determined it's worth cleaning you can start with a 2 day soak in soapy water followed by a brisk hosing...being careful not to dislodge any of the other bits ( test with your fingers first to see if they're loose. If that simple approach doesn't get it clean enough for you...it looks like it will still have a rusty staining on it...your local hardware store sells something called Iron Out, which will remove rusty stains. It works best with hot water and may take 2 or 3 soakings in IO to come clean. IO is not an aggressive chemical, but it is a chemical so follow the safety precautions on the container, wear rubber gloves and don't breathe the fumes. Outside is best |
Plus One on Iron Out. Do not buy the ready mixed. The powder comes in a small and large container. One cup dissolved in a gallon of warm water is average. And do not breath the powder dust when adding it. I keep my plastic containers out doors covered so birds or animals and children do not try to get too it.
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