are these quartz?

[RockAli]

I have several of these

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[Jim in Idaho]

Yup...looks like chalcedony nodules, or microcrystaline quartz. Very hard and dense form of quartz.
Jim

 

[RockAli]

Can gold form in deposits like these?

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Rarely, though it depends on the geology. Gold, and other metals are usually found in rotten, soft, rusty-colored quartz. The metals are deposited by water, and that rotten quartz is a good channel for water. Also, there's usually iron where gold is found, and some of that material of yours looks rusty. All that said, that chalcedony of yours was also deposited, or formed, by water, so there could be some metal mineralization in the area. It's doubtful you'd find gold in that chalcedony itself. But, it's a good idea, for me, not to make absolute statements...in geology anything is possible.
Jim

 

[DDancer]

Chalcedony for sure Never found gold associated with it however but it is a good indicator of hydrothermal events so other interesting specimen's maybe found. Keep an eye out for that material with dark banding as some can have fire agate in them. I know one area in AZ that has chalcedony roses all over the place and also produces fire agate.

 

[RockAli]

Is this an example of rotten or soft quartz? Thank you for all your insight it is a great help to me.

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[DDancer]

Could be. Rotting quartz is a term used to describe quartz outcroppings that are breaking apart because other minerals in them are deteriorating causing the quartz to break up and take on a broken and deteriorated appearance. Usually the term is applied to highly mineralized quartz outcrops that are associated with potential ore bodies. But the term can be used most anywhere. Pieces of material that break away from the primary deposit are called float and with a bit of work can be traced back to the originating deposit. Float can be formed by the rotting, deterioration of other minerals in the deposit, of the primary deposit or by simple erosion of the deposit.

If you can find the origin of that piece you may find signs of other minerals. The reds lead me to believe there may be pyrites present.

 

[RockAli]

Thank you for explaining that for me. I really appreciate how informative your responses are.

 

[Eu_citzen]

DD is right, its usually pretty brittle and breaks up easily. Sometimes its very rusty, to.