What is this?

[Fullstock]

I found this rock in a field in Virginia today, it popped out of the ground along with a Civil War bullet. It looks like it’s been cut and polished, but I think its shape is natural. What is it?

 

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[old digger]

That there is a quartz crystal. Pretty nice looking one.

 

[Simon1]

I agree with old digger .

 

[Fourman110]

Unless Superman was in the region, definitely quartz.

 

[jewelerguy]

That there is a quartz crystal. Pretty nice looking one.

yep what old digger said. That is a nice one. Probably more around there somewhere

 

[Fullstock]

yep what old digger said. That is a nice one. Probably more around there somewhere

Do they have any value?

 

[Plug N Play]

The value of that one is in the fact that it is a personal find for you.

Some of the larger ones can be pricey.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Nice find, sometimes what our eyeballs find, is better then what our detectors find!

Dave

 

[Anduril]

Do they have any value?

I work in the field of electronics.

Without quartz crystals such as yours, most modern day electronic stuff simply would not work!
The crystal is cut into very thin slices at a precise angle such that the tiny slices will oscillate at a known, reliable frequency.
That means the crystal can be used as the fundamental time base for microprocessors, two-way radios, real-time clocks, etc...

So in that regard, quartz crystals like the one you found are "priceless".

Edit: Here's a picture of the finished product:
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/fox-electronics/FC4STCBMF11.0592-BAG200/631-1103-ND/1024695

 

[A2coins]

Pretty cool find