mineral identification.

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 3:59 pm

I found this in my creek that's pretty much all sand. Just some gravel and a few fist sized stone. It's not very heavy. Not near as heavy as gold. Or hematite. It is silver in color not gold like the picture shows. But you can see how coarse it is. I don't know what it is. This is about 50 times magnification. It's like a chunky piece of gold in size. If anybody knows what it is I would appreciate it. Sorry for the bad pic.

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 4:09 pm

Very hard to tell what it is from that picture, but it sounds like pyrite.

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 4:33 pm

I agree with Goldseeker, sure looks like pyrite or some other sulfide (marcasite is possible too as it is usually white in color, but not always).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrite

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcasite

Test the streak on some white porcelain tile (or your toilet) and the color of the streak will help id it.

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 8:26 pm

Thanks. I think it is marcasite. Atleast that's what it seems like it is.

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 8:42 pm

It sure is different looking.

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 6:31 am

Here's a site with 957 pictures of marcasite. It's looks vary widely.

http://www.mindat.org/min-2571.html

This is what most consider the very best mineral ID site. The guy that developped it has won many awards from mineralogical organizations for his site.

mindat.org