Ok, so what is your opinion???

[bravowhiskey]

Chert or Flint

The more I read the more confused it becomes.
Cryptocrystalline Quartz occurs in many varieties based on its' color, banding, and other physical features. The two varieties that account for the majority of "flint" artifact materials are chalcedony and chert.
Chalcedony is a type of quartz with extremely small crystals and a specific gravity nearly identical to quartz. Accordingly, a very high quartz content and fine particle matrix give it a very waxy luster.
Chert is made of larger crystals and also has a specific gravity similar to pure quartz, but due to some impurities and larger particles, is somewhat less quartz-like than the aforementioned chalcedony. It is somewhat duller and more opaque and its' luster varies from none to very waxy.
Flint by mineralogical definition is simply black chert. Originally applied to high quality black cherts found in England. In reality flint versus chert is akin to splitting hairs and chemically speaking there is little difference.
If there appears to be a more "waxy" look it may be called "flint" and less so "chert". Generally speaking at least.
Maybe we should not even refer to any flint, only chert or chalcedony
So is it six or half a dozen? I guess you could be the judge.

BW

reference...Minerals of the World: field guide

 

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[Th3rty7]

It is a confusing subject imo, mostly because we're talking about minute differences in a silica matrix. I think this link sums it up well. The main problem I run into is that many cherts and chalcedony materials are actually flint.


http://www.theaaca.com/Learning_Center/flintvs.htm

 

[Tnmountains]

When I hear the word flint. I used to always associate it with some rock that makes sparks. I guess gun flint and that only comes from England
Nice topic Bravo

 

[joshuaream]

Yes.

Chert or Flint

The more I read the more confused it becomes.
Cryptocrystalline Quartz occurs in many varieties based on its' color, banding, and other physical features. The two varieties that account for the majority of "flint" artifact materials are chalcedony and chert.
Chalcedony is a type of quartz with extremely small crystals and a specific gravity nearly identical to quartz. Accordingly, a very high quartz content and fine particle matrix give it a very waxy luster.
Chert is made of larger crystals and also has a specific gravity similar to pure quartz, but due to some impurities and larger particles, is somewhat less quartz-like than the aforementioned chalcedony. It is somewhat duller and more opaque and its' luster varies from none to very waxy.
Flint by mineralogical definition is simply black chert. Originally applied to high quality black cherts found in England. In reality flint versus chert is akin to splitting hairs and chemically speaking there is little difference.
If there appears to be a more "waxy" look it may be called "flint" and less so "chert". Generally speaking at least.
Maybe we should not even refer to any flint, only chert or chalcedony
So is it six or half a dozen? I guess you could be the judge.

BW

reference...Minerals of the World: field guide

 

[pickaway]

Flint

 

[abarnard]

My professor in Sedementary and stratigraphy at TAMUCC liked us to call it chert. I guess it's what ever you feel comfortable calling it, it's practically the same. Every chert/flint may be a little different than the next due to its mineralogy and where it was deposited..