There is metal in this rock. Copper?

[Ed144]

I found an 18.8 lb rock today with my XP Deus metal detector in the bottom of a Pima county Arizona wash. I don't believe it is a hot rock because the detector shows no iron. The XP Deus sounds-off easily on it at 32 and occasionally a small signal of 90 or so. A Garrett Pro-Pointer sounds-off on the green crack in the enlarged photo attached. The rock appears to be quartz like, perhaps chert like. Since there are some green streaks perhaps there is some native copper in it? Should I bust this rock open with a sledge hammer and see what is inside? Any comments will be appreciated. Ed.

 

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[Jim in Idaho]

Yup...looks like copper to me...nice find!
Jim

 

[smokeythecat]

Yes, the green comes from copper mineralization. Could be a host of minerals in it.

 

[Ed144]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm tempted to break it open and see what it looks like inside. It would be neat to see native copper or anything metallic in it.

 

[DizzyDigger]

T'were me, I'd take a sledge to it..just to see what's inside.

 

[Steve1236]

I'd cut it in slabs instead of breaking it open with a sledgehammer but if you do try and break the rock along those cracks with secondary copper minerals and you might end up with some pretty specimens, might even show some native copper. Cool find, post what she looks like inside when you get it open

 

[Ed144]

Photos of the inside.

I cracked a few pieces off of the rock. Photos of the inside are attached. The green areas go through the rock. I may break it up further.

 

[smokeythecat]

That looks like a series of malachite crusts in the rock. The DARK brownish material MAY BE native copper, which the malachite came from. I would do nothing else to the rock. Looks really nice. Use a powerful hand lens to look for the copper. It will be small.