Need help identifying a rock/minerals

[kyleoflyman]

Found this rock in Western Washington. It was below a rock outcropping that shows lots of signs of hydrothermal activity. Any ideas of what it is and what the colors in it are would be appreciated.

 

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[mamabear]

That is a beautiful rock. I never found blue in Wet WA, but lots of jade. I would take it to a college & see what they say. But don't leave it there. Sometimes colleges become black holes for nice specimens

 

[kyleoflyman]

Thank you! I'll give the local college a call tomorrow. I've been trying to find a close assayer that I could drive to and drop it off for testing.

 

[DDancer]

Be interesting to see a polished slab of it Looks like something akin to agate.

 

[kyleoflyman]

Definitely has the color for an agate but the color bands are pretty thin. In the same outcropping I found a white quartz vein and hammered into a bit. It started to turn Green.

 

[DDancer]

Those are some interesting bits. You pounded them out of an outcropping? Looks to be a copper mineral, malachite maybe, mixed in with the native quartz. Looks gemmy I'd take a few more cracks at that vien and see if you can find some crystals. The material looks like it might contain vugs. However you might find some good size slabs in the vien that might make some nice cutting material. Nice

 

[kyleoflyman]

Thanks DDancer! There were a few dirty quartz stringer veins showing that i chiseled into. About 2" in it started to branch off in that green color. Gonna head out there again hopefully tomorrow and do some more investigating.

 

[kyleoflyman]

This is some pics of the types of rocks that are right below the rock formation in the washout. Seems heavy for it's size. The silvery green streak that runs through the piece is brittle but waxy. It comes apart pretty easy.

 

[huntsman53]

Interesting rocks to say the least! I am pretty much with DDancer on the Quartz specimens that turned green when exposed to oxygen or the environment and say that the rocks contain Copper Oxide in one form or another. This (I believe) would account for them turning green or greenish-blue.


Frank

 

[kyleoflyman]

Thanks Frank! I think I found the mystery metal that caused the quartz to turn green. Found a few small bits of these in the quartz and they got a little larger and more frequent as I went deeper. Didn't get too deep because the green quartz is very hard. Hoping to find a local assayer tomorrow!

 

[MrLee]

Looks a lot like Plasma Agate.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/188653321/plasma-agate-slabs-x-2?

 

[DDancer]

Those metallic silver clusters keep reminding me of stibnite. I'm still trying to narrow down what they may be but that dig is turning out some good stuff..... if your running into metalics I'd keep digging.

 

[kyleoflyman]

Thanks guys!
MrLee, I wish it were plasma agates. Those look beautiful. But the coloring just seems to be on the surface of the rocks....1/2 inch thick max. They seem to be where the mineralized water came out and flowed over or dripped on them.
Ddancer, Ive came across quite a bit of stibnite/antimony on this particular hillside. But if its stibnite, then this is the first time finding it in a quartz vein. So Im definitely excited to keep digging

 

[DDancer]

You may be aware but I'll say it anyway take care with antimony it is a toxic metal and a dust mask as you pound away might be a good idea. Otherwise I wish you luck in finding a vug full of crystals

Here are a couple of images.

 

[kyleoflyman]

I took a handful of the green quartz and ran it in my rock tumbler for 24 to start a polish on them (the girlfriend likes to make jewelry). When I opened the lid on the barrel after the run, I found this little guy embedded in the rubber seal. Its got a familiar glow, but some further tests are definitely going to happen. Ive also sent out some preliminary samples to an assay office. Fingers crossed!

 

[DDancer]

now your onto something. Did you dump the slurry or did you pan it?

 

[kyleoflyman]

I had already dumped it! Bummed but I guess its all a part of the learning curve. I know better for next time !

 

[MrLee]

Meh, you can always find more! Good luck!

 

[kyleoflyman]

Test results came back. Unfortunately Gold only came in at less than .005 ppm. Looks like Nickel was the high green color count winner at 1190 ppm. The small piece must have gotten polished pretty in the tumbler

 

[kyleoflyman]

Found some nice pieces today with a deep green color. Mostly ranging 1/2" to 1" in size. Was also able to pull out a nice specimen piece about 10" L x 5" W. No vugs or cavities yet but hopefully soon.