75grams of Thulium

[Crispin]

Heres the result of my sodering test (we had one):

i had a wire i found, as a comparison.. (pretty sure its not a valuable metal)
the wire got dented/melted within 1 min or 2..

the silver-iron alloy (bar 1 from my other thread) did nothing, no burn marks, no dents... even on the bare part it was unaffected..

however, did not test the POSSIBLE thulium bar... i sent an email to a college chemist/mineral teacher this evening, will see his reply tomorrow (probably during school hours)

very cool. looks like you are dealing with a pure metal. Can't wait to see the results...

pure antimony melts at 1170 degrees...so it is still in the mix.

 

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[Crispin]

Alloys of antimony, tin and lead will melt under 900°F. Alloys of iron or copper won't.

A soldering iron concentrates heat at the tip and is designed to melt small tubes or ribbons of solder. Because a chunk of metal is larger it may dissipate the heat faster than the soldering iron heats it up. So if you're going to try that use an edge or small piece.

And even then you just narrow it down to one of hundreds of possibilities.

This is why most guys call such bits "leaverite". And also why silver and gold are valuable. They are among the few minerals that are found in valuable form right up on Earth's crust.

agree they are probably not valuable...but totally disagree on the "leaverite." That does nothing to further education and to the person who finds it, it is a very unique find. If people don't want to get involved in the ID...that is fine. But to that person, it is a very cool fine. So, I don't think it is nice to lump somebody's find into that category. I think andrew has a very cool find and I look forward to learning more about it.

 

[USMC Reaper]

agree they are probably not valuable...but totally disagree on the "leaverite." That does nothing to further education and to the person who finds it, it is a very unique find. If people don't want to get involved in the ID...that is fine. But to that person, it is a very cool fine. So, I don't think it is nice to lump somebody's find into that category. I think andrew has a very cool find and I look forward to learning more about it.

Crispin, I want you to know that I have complete respect for your adherence to the Scientific Method and your shared enthusiasm in the quest for Knowledge. Stay motivated.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

So, I don't think it is nice to lump somebody's find into that category.

I'll rest on my record because my actions show I put quite a bit of effort into trying sincerely to help when forum members have something they can't identify.

But I don't "blow sunshine up skirts" as that is not in my nature. The bitterest truth is better than the sweetest lie.

I haven't seen anything in this thread that would lead me to believe the object is "pure metal" vs. an alloy. It may be, but a soldering gun and a graduated cylinder of water lack the finesse to make that determination. Tungsten-carbide is an "alloy" and is harder and has a higher melting point than most "pure" metals; around 5,000°F.

I'd point you toward the flame test, but your Moms might lose a kitchen.

 

[itzyoboyandrew]

I'll rest on my record because my actions show I put quite a bit of effort into trying sincerely to help when forum members have something they can't identify.

But I don't "blow sunshine up skirts" as that is not in my nature. The bitterest truth is better than the sweetest lie.

I haven't seen anything in this thread that would lead me to believe the object is "pure metal" vs. an alloy. It may be, but a soldering gun and a graduated cylinder of water lack the finesse to make that determination. Tungsten-carbide is an "alloy" and is harder and has a higher melting point than most "pure" metals; around 5,000°F.

I'd point you toward the flame test, but your Moms might lose a kitchen.

how would one perform this test?

 

[itzyoboyandrew]

Actually, we are going to send off a small piece (1 gram) to a Department of Geology in a University... they said they would do some tests on it and see what it is. He said its difficult to tell what it is based on pictures. And some of the tests are destructive... so i won't be getting my 1 gram piece back, which is a risk im willing to take..

 

[Crispin]

I'll rest on my record because my actions show I put quite a bit of effort into trying sincerely to help when forum members have something they can't identify.

But I don't "blow sunshine up skirts" as that is not in my nature. The bitterest truth is better than the sweetest lie.

I haven't seen anything in this thread that would lead me to believe the object is "pure metal" vs. an alloy. It may be, but a soldering gun and a graduated cylinder of water lack the finesse to make that determination. Tungsten-carbide is an "alloy" and is harder and has a higher melting point than most "pure" metals; around 5,000°F.

I'd point you toward the flame test, but your Moms might lose a kitchen.

I did not mean to insult you. I have seen your IDs and I am in awe with your willingness to help people and how knowledgeable you are. I was making a comment on the leaverite. Some members have a tendency to call things fire nuggets or leaverites very quickly. Not you. Sorry if I offended you.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

For the flame test you take a source of natural gas, typically using a Bunsen Burner, and heat a small sample held in a nichrome or platinum wire probe. Elements and compounds produce different colors in the flame.




The trick is finding the wire probe that produces no color of its own. Platinum is best but nichrome is a lot cheaper.

 

[OldSowBreath]

I found some Rutherfordium 254 at a yard sale once, but after I paid the guy, there was nothing left. Got to remember my half-life chart when I'm out garage-saling.

 

[itzyoboyandrew]

Redid the bleach test... its weird... it made this pale pale red sugar like paste..?

there also seems to be a yellow residue, but not a paste

EDIT: all the yellow has turned white, and more white is now showing... it looks like sugar crystals/snow flurry