What is this rock?

[Mcmurraywil]

Can someone help me find out what rock this is?

 

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[Mcmurraywil]

 

[Turkısh Man]

Copper ore/Malachite-azurite

 

[Mcmurraywil]

That is incredible! Why are there so many blue and green crystals then?

 

[Eu_citzen]

Turkish nailed it.

These minerals are secondary copper minerals often found in the oxidization zones of ore bodies.
They form when for example Chalcopyrite, with time, is altered by for example water. (if I remember correctly)

Due to this they mostly form massive pieces, with no or very small crystals.
Large ones are quite rare.

 

[Mcmurraywil]

I could talk to you guys all day this is amazing!!! Can you explain the oxidation process to me?

 

[Turkısh Man]

Before million years,during geological age

 

[Mcmurraywil]

That was a confusing statement friend?

 

[Eu_citzen]

I don't recall the oxidization process.

 

[Mcmurraywil]

Okay. Well then hey..how exactly do crystals form? I am a chef/cook and understand it to some degree but not much.

 

[Mcmurraywil]

Is there a way to make or force the Copper Ore to crystallize more?

 

[Eu_citzen]

Crystals form due to good durations of 'good conditions' for crystal formation.
If for example it cools of quickly very small or no crystals may form.

Namely: Time, space and heat. Well, something to make the crystals out of, to. ("Building materials")
It needs time to grow, space to grow in and heat to keep the "building materials" flowing.

I suppose you could let it re-crystallize by replicating/copying the environment in which it was created in the first place.
Then allow it to "grow" there a while. I say re-crystallize since I think it needs to be partly or wholly dissolved before being crystallized more. (either that, or you use it as a "seed" upon which the other crystals shall grow)

Have you heard of hydrothermally grown quartz?
It is a synthetic quartz grown in (sealed) high pressure water cookers, I suppose you could say.
Also known as autoclaves, or bombs.
Exactly the same thing; replicating the natural conditions in which quartz grows to form crystals.

 

[Mcmurraywil]

I have never heard of hydrothermally grown quartz no. how does that work? And how would I use my ore as a seed at home?

 

[Eu_citzen]

Follow the link below to see how it works.
I doubt.. or should I say I recommend against trying it at home.
Remember the nick name of the autoclave; "Bomb"?
There's a good reason, the pressures and temperatures required make it dangerous if it has a weak point.

Hydrothermal quartz

 

[Mcmurraywil]

You are incredible! I vastly appreciate you sharing your knowledge with me friend!! please continue to do so in the future. I thrive on knowledge and learning.

 

[Eu_citzen]

Keep on asking, if you want to learn.

 

[Mcmurraywil]

Alright then what are the properties of sapphire? Qualities, melting point, pressure limit, etc.

 

[Eu_citzen]

Not sure in what your after, but I'll give it a try.

Qualities: (from a stone cutters view)
Generally speaking facet and cabb grade.
Facet grade is nice transparent material with few or no inclusions. (exception: those with optical effects)
Cabb material is just about anything else, including those with optical phenomena.

Melting temp I think is around 2050 degrees Celsius.


When talking rocks we use different kind of properties:

i.e. hardness (scratching resistance), lustre, streak, cleavage (yeah, really!) and so on.
Would be a whole lot of writing to explain all that; I'd suggest the book "Mineralogy by Dexter Perkins".

This place also covers quite a few terms; both common and less common to the hobbyist:
Mineral Luster

 

[Mcmurraywil]

This is food!!! What is your favorite rock/gem and why? Describe it wholly.

 

[Eu_citzen]

I don't have a favourite, really.
I do, however, really dislike one gem; diamond.