What is this? Very unusual find I found on ranch in Smartsville, California.

[ShtyKitty]

Hi. Found this yesterday while feeding horses. Hope you can give me sone information on it. It is the size of a softball, the texture is very rough, it's quite heavy, has what appears to be gold flakes and specks throughout. I see little crystal pieces and darker pieces of something. It has the most unusual texture i have ever felt.

 

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[HuntinDog]

Sounds like, because we can't see it, Quarts crystals

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

We need a picture to help you better.

 

[Audozer]

Alien egg?

 

[TomPA]

Very unusual looking, and that texture...hard to imagine.

 

[creskol]

[h=1]Rambutan?[/h]

 

[HuntinDog]

That's pretty Shty-Kitty....
Ask us a question and then not give any clues as to what you are asking.
Don't be a one hit wonder.
Come back and be a part of the discussion.

 

[Bama Billy]

What does it smell like?

 

[A2coins]

dinasour kidney stone

 

[Rookster]

Sent a pic of the horse. Maybe a clue there.

 

[releventchair]

Ancient alien formed handstone gift , used with quern. Granite. Approx. 5000 B.C.E.
Weight 3 .2 lbs.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Welcome,

Though your user name may not last.

Based on your description and no image I'd say it is the size of a softball, the texture is very rough, it's quite heavy, has what appears to be gold flakes and specks throughout. With little crystal pieces and darker pieces of something.

Not knowing what textures you have felt that were usual it's hard to judge your opinion of unusual.

But, my guess is pyrite in a crystal matrix.

 

[ShtyKitty]

TTACH]

 

[huntsman53]

View attachment 1614705TTACH]

Welcome to TNet! I believe you have a form of Schist there that appears to have Gold in it but needs to be checked by a Geologist or other knowledgeable professional. The fact that it appears to be close to perfectly round, I wonder if it was shaped Native American Indians and used as a Game Ball. However, it is possible it was shaped that way by water and tumbling in a stream. Are there any decent streams or rivers very near where you found it? Please report back and share any and all results of testing.

 

[ShtyKitty]

Theres a river close by and a creek behind the house. Im told they used to mine for gold here in the 80's. Tgere still is dredging equipment on the property. I have found quite a few different types of rocks here with gold flakes in them. At least i think they are.

 

[Clay Diggins]

It's Diorite - a combination of plagioclase feldspar, biotite, hornblende, and/or pyroxene. It's kind of like granite with very little quartz.

The Biotite part of the rock is a form of mica. Mica is the shiny/sparkly part of the rock that is often mistaken for gold. Diorite does not contain gold or silver but it can be associated with other nearby rocks that might have gold. Diorite has no commercial value except as crushed gravel or curbstones.