found while panning

[therobertsmith]

I have been running across a lot of these when I pan either in the creek or after a highbanker run. They are almost always square and have perfect right angles. They are heavy and stay at the top when I pan down. Any ideas on what they could be? I am also getting a ton of silver material mixed with the black sand.
I have been at it for a year and I still have so much to learn especially what is junk equipment and what looks like junk is actually the best thing around
Here is a picture of the cubes I am finding.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[unclemac]

iron pyrite forms cube crystals like those....

 

[fowledup]

Maybe mica schist or pyrite

 

[tamrock]

I'm unsure, but maybe a piece of corundum ? Is it really hard? Pyrite doesn't have a very high compressive strength and would be pulverized in a rushing river, though I would get a fair amount of ground up pyrite when I washed gravel in the mountains of Colorado. Corundum is Ruby also, but can be found in all kinds of colors. I know rock that's drilled with tungsten carbide bits sure wear out fast when the rock is loaded with corundum in the matrix.

 

[therobertsmith]

It is very hard. I find an average of 5 to ten pieces each pan. It has always intrigued me so I thought I would ask. Thanks for the replies yall.

 

[mcl]

Limonite pseudomorph after pyrite

 

[therobertsmith]

mcl: man those are awesome. Very cool and thanks for sharing that picture.