Please help identify newbie finds

[PureMichigan]

****EDITED, PICTURES ADDED, VIDEO TOO LARGE****
Just started collecting this summer. Have gotten many pieces that appeal to my somewhat uneducated eye. I dropped them off to the local geology professor and am anxiously awaiting what they have to say.

I have a video of my "cream of the crop" pieces, mostly crystalline types but also including what I believe is possibly a Platinum Nugget, and also a chunk of greenish Native Copper with Silvery metals peaking out around every corner. Is there a way to post it?

I am in the Great Lakes Region and it is my understanding that virtually any precious metal is "findable" here due to glacial drift/and all the craziness in the grounds in the U.P. Most of my finds are in or near a Great Lake at various depths.

Basically I would humbly request that a trusted/high-ranking member review my video if they are so inclined. Stranger looking for an honest opinion from another.

 

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[vpnavy]

1st - Welcome Aboard! Take a look at Sub-Forums: Michigan for information (i.e., clubs, etc.) directly related to your state.

2nd - Moved from Today's Finds! over to Our Discoveries > What Is It? for more exposure.

 

[Icewing]

Are you using a metal detector to find these metallic objects?
If so, when you scan the supposed platinum nugget, do you get a high or low tone?
High would indicate the most likely culprit which is melted aluminum, or possibly but much less likely, silver. If your tone is more like foil then platinum would be a possibility. Those of course are just preliminary tests. After that you will need some test acids.

 

[P.ALLEN]

the grey with white inclusions is most likely limestone with calcite nodules in matrix, the yellowish one with crystal pocket is quartz/(possibly another calcite piece on top of what looks like a yellowish sandstone, dunno hard to tell, the black is a likely a weathered basalt, and the silverfish on is like Icewing stated, looks like an aluminum chunk.

Little addition, the glacial till and subsequent weathered rocks along the great lakes produce a huge range of rocks and minerals. I've found garnets, different agates, the list goes on. It's a mixed (but cool) bag. You never expect to find some of the stuff you do, despite the area you found it in.

 

[PureMichigan]

I am most concerned about the nugget. I have been endlessly reviewing pictures of water-found platinum nuggets and also have been comparing to melted aluminum as I see that can trip people up sometimes.
Honestly the little holes in the nugget have kind of an off-whitish/yellowish color at the depth, and the platinum nuggets I've been seeing online look the exact same way.
It's not magnetic.
I don't use a metal detector nor do I have one, I use my eyes and hands.

 

[PureMichigan]

Thank you for the information P.Allen.
Does my Greenish chunk with silvery metal peeking out look like a copper chunk with something else mixed in to you?
It's my basic understanding the copper tarnishes or ages green so that where my assumption comes from.
Also the silvery metals peeking out of it literally came out of the water like that looking shiny as they do. haven't cleaned anything you see there except just basic rinses to get the sand off things.

 

[PureMichigan]

Even that black rock exploded bubbles that look like shiny holes came out like that. I haven't shined anything. The inside of those holes on the black rock are so shiny they look like plastic. Came out of the lake like that. Those pictures are all dry no water involved.

 

[Old Pueblo]

I have no idea but it looks like you have some very nice stones there. I love those geode things. They're different.

 

[Eu_citzen]

That black "bubbly" rock is likely slag. Not sure about the nugget. I'd suggest a specific gravity test. I mean, does it feel heavy for it's size?

 

[P.ALLEN]

Eu_ I think you might be right, first glance I thought it was a basalt. honestly that other blackish one might be a chunk of asphalt. How close to a road or boat ramp did you find these, or were they off the beaten beach? In regards to the Platinum, if it was galacial it came from here.


Marathon deposit, Coldwell complex, Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada



Coldwellite
© Natural History Museum

Reflected light digital image in air of the original grain mount from which coldwellite was described. Coldwellite is the main white grain in the centre of the image and is shown here together with two pyrrhotite grains which are in different ...
https://www.mindat.org/min-3236.html

I honestly don't think its platinum though(I have been wrong many times, ask my wife).

Its a tough call, like many said above you would need some tests, look into streak and possibly Mohs to determine some facts.

 

[Eu_citzen]

101% sure I am right..Unless there's obsidian found locally.

The other blackish one might also be slag, of a less successful smelt.
If they got the flux or some other conditions wrong, metal can be caught up in the slag.

But the picture is inconclusive. So purely speculation.

 

[PureMichigan]

To answer your question regarding the weight of the nugget, the feeling of holding it didn't strike me as overly "heavy" for it's size. Didn't feel underweight as Aluminum does, either.
Either way, all the finds shown plus some others are now in the hands of the local Professor (friend of a friend), so as I'm waiting to hear back after the Labor Day Weekend my curiosity is killing me. Found this website and figured "what better place" to get a sneak preview of what to expect to hear from the Professor. I'm sure this person has all the equipment necessary and quite frankly the best person possible in my local area to be inspecting them.

Not to get into specifics for obvious reasons, but everything seen in my pictures were found in absolutely "low-traffic" areas, in fact every single piece was found at various depths of a Great Lake. None was found on dry ground. Very undisturbed areas, underwater belts of rock of an extremely WIDE array of stone type, shapes, sizes, colors, etc can be seen. Black magnetite sands are often found on the shoreline here.

 

[boogeyman]

I am most concerned about the nugget. I have been endlessly reviewing pictures of water-found platinum nuggets and also have been comparing to melted aluminum as I see that can trip people up sometimes.
Honestly the little holes in the nugget have kind of an off-whitish/yellowish color at the depth, and the platinum nuggets I've been seeing online look the exact same way.
It's not magnetic.
I don't use a metal detector nor do I have one, I use my eyes and hands.

Are there any jewelry stores around close to you? Use them! Let them test it and you might get a little knowledge thrown in for free! Lapidary stores are even better! Free knowledge & they have books that are worth a look at.

 

[PureMichigan]

Are there any jewelry stores around close to you? Use them! Let them test it and you might get a little knowledge thrown in for free! Lapidary stores are even better! Free knowledge & they have books that are worth a look at.

They are in the hands of a local geologist now.
It wasn't presented to this person as "super urgent" and don't know them personally so I don't want to come off as strung-out and platinum-thirsty as I feel by ringing them late night "whaddya think, what is it??.....

Taking to a jeweler was my first instinct but then reading online that Platinum nuggets are not usually "pure" platinum but are often mixed with Rhodium and other "platinum group metals" and that can effect results of an acid test. Read that jewelers typically are testing more "pure" platinum jewelry and not ore so that is why it is this way.
Not to mention wouldn't the acid leave a permanent mark on it's natural-born surface?

LOLOL I keep shaking my head and thinking that the geologist is probably a member of this website, anyways....
Seems to be a popular place! Many subscribers and active users!

 

[PureMichigan]

No matter what, I very much appreciate the opportunity to share my finds with 'y'all.
A lot of people don't appreciate rocks.
I will absolutely let this thread know what they tell me.

 

[PureMichigan]

Just revisited your comment on this thread, and wanted to answer your question regarding obsidian. It turns out it is found locally, and I found a piece the other day. I appreciate your help!

 

[PureMichigan]

RESULTS ARE IN (word for word) (I am questioning the pyrite determination and a little upset they didn't test the metals):
1.The dark grey with the gold minerals is pyrite
2. The 2 silver metallic objects are indeed a metal-likely aluminum
3. The light grey rock with the "vein" of dark grey glassy mineral is gray quartz
4. The small black rock is basalt
5. The remainder are all geodes with quartz crystals predominately in limestone

 

[against the wind]

I hope it turns out to be platinum.
Do you need help when you go back for more??

 

[PureMichigan]

I hope it turns out to be platinum.
Do you need help when you go back for more??

Thank you! Took to a jeweler today and they had no idea. They ran them on a scratch plate and said it didn't look right for Platinum but also said they've never touched a platinum nugget before, jewelry only.

 

[rockyraj]

I have no idea , but I can say you have some very nice stones there.

I think you should use a metal detector to find these metallic objects.

.