ID Help

[dustyrusty]

Was out over the weekend looking for jasper/agate/opal in the Opal Mountain area north of Barstow this weekend. Came across this guy. I have seen wind warn basalt before and it definitely didn't feel like this. The rock is extremely smooth, almost waxy. I haven't tested if it is magnetic or not yet but would love opinions.



May as well add a couple of my other finds from the area too:

 

[Mrdigz]

I would of picked it up as well. Do the basic tests then cut a small piece to have it verified. Cool find either way!

 

[Eu_citzen]

#1. Do a steak test! Magnetic? Can a knife scratch it?
#2 Agate and/or jasper.

 

[dustyrusty]

I would of picked it up as well. Do the basic tests then cut a small piece to have it verified. Cool find either way!

Not magnetic, I will try a scratch test when I get home. I would love to check density, but unfortunately I do not have a scale sensitive enough.

 

[Tuberale]

#1 looks promising. Can you post photos all the way around the stone? Sure looks like a possibility.

 

[dustyrusty]

#1. Do a steak test! Magnetic? Can a knife scratch it?
#2 Agate and/or jasper.

Steel knife didn't scratch, not magnetic.

 

[dustyrusty]

#1 looks promising. Can you post photos all the way around the stone? Sure looks like a possibility.

Looks like a possibility of what exactly?

 

[Tuberale]

Looks to be of meteoric origin, dusty rusty,

 

[dustyrusty]

Looks to be of meteoric origin, dusty rusty,

Even with the lack of magnetism?

 

[firemac]

Hope it is!

 

[dustyrusty]

Even with the lack of magnetism?

I rechecked with a stronger magnet, it is in fact magnetic. Anything else I can do to confirm if it is meteoric?

 

[hvacker]

Yes, grind or file a a 'window' in an inconspicuous place and see if it's metallic. If it is later you can look up how to do acid etching to see if there is a pattern (finger print).
There are also nickel tests but some here have said the cheap tests kits from a drug store are unreliable. I don't know.

 

[Eu_citzen]

Do the streak test first. I am not perfectly familiar with meteorites, but that probably isn't one.
I'd tip more on hematite or some other earth-related mineral.

 

[dustyrusty]

Do the streak test first. I am not perfectly familiar with meteorites, but that probably isn't one.
I'd tip more on hematite or some other earth-related mineral.

Shoot, left a light gray streak...looks like I just have a cool looking piece of magnetite.

 

[hvacker]

You might want to look a bit harder. Magnetite should streak black. Iron streaks steel grey and shiny.

 

[Eu_citzen]

Slag, then? I guess to be certain someone needs to see it in person. Metallic minerals are hard to ID.