Need Help To Identify From Quartz Vein

MrLee · Mar 30, 2012

First, wouldn't it be good to make this a sticky topic? Second, I found a good sized quartz vein and the photo below is part of what I have pulled out. Being new to the hunt, I was wondering if someone could tell me if the shiny substance could be silver?? Thanks in advance.

aussco999 · Mar 31, 2012

MrLee:

I have my doubts that the "shiny substance" is silver. It looks more like specular iron (hematite) to me, along with some yellow ocher. Both of these minerals can be indicators of possible precious metals, but only an assay will tell you for sure. It's probably worth check out. Let us know what you find. Good luck, John

MrLee · Mar 31, 2012

John, thank you for your input. Most of the vein is white with smatterings of green. Then there are spots that look like the sample pictured above that are full of color, red, green, blue, etc.

TerryC · Mar 31, 2012

Lee, Red-iron, green-copper, I predict a good mineral fieldbook in your future. NICE piece of quartz! Pulverize about a pound of it and send off to be assayed. TTC