What is this Beauty?

[RockRock]

Dear Users, I found a piece of a strange looking 'crystal/rock'. It is quite heavy for its size. Can someone please identify? Thanks in Advance.

 

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[Simon1]

Looks nice, but how heavy is "quite heavy", what size is it, and what general area was it found in ?

 

[RockRock]

Hey, Thanks for the reply. It's weight is 515g and its dimensions are approximately 7.6cm x 8cm x 6.5cm. It was found underwater, more specifically under same sand. As a location it was found in Malta.

 

[Simon1]

It is pretty looking. I am not familiar with the Malta area so I can't help. There are alot of people here good on geology and I am sure they will be along and answer your question. Good luck.

 

[RockRock]

Thanks, yes in fact I was pretty amazed when I saw it. I have never seen anything like this in Malta .

 

[DDancer]

It looks like a crystallization of Hematite. Try a streak test. Handsome specimen.

 

[RockRock]

Hi, Thanks for the info but I don't know whats a streak test and how to do it . I am quite a beginner when it comes to geology.

 

[faribo]

It looks like a crystallization of Hematite. Try a streak test. Handsome specimen.

Agreed

 

[Steve1236]

Take the lid off the back of the toilet and scratch the stone on the inside of the unglazed porcelain, the color of the streak it leaves will help with identifying the specimen, I believe it is Hematite as well.

 

[RockRock]

Hey Steve1236, I tried to scratch the stone as you told me but its not marking anything. It is only scratching the porcelain. Would it effect the process if the stone is a little wet? Thank you in advance.

 

[Steve1236]

The lid you remove to fix the toilet, the guts, the inside of the lid should be ruff not glazed/smooth.

 

[RockRock]

Thank you for replying. Yes I did I attached a photo of the scratches I tried to make. I also attached another photo of the specimen with better lighting to show the colors it is reflecting. Thanks in advance.

 

[Steve1236]

Now I'm thinking its carborundum because of its hardness, it's scratching it so it's not hematite, that's my best guess from a photo.

 

[RockRock]

Thanks Steve, I made some research about carborundum and from the images I saw they seem quite similar. I read that carborundum is very rare to find in nature. Is there a way to test if this is a natural one or a synthetic made one? Thanks in Advance for your time and suggestions.

 

[Moesia]

Carborundum man made.

 

[Clay Diggins]

It looks like clinkers from a steam engine. Not unusual to find those near major shipping routes. The steam powered ships left trails of them along their routes.

 

[BridgetownTreasures]

Looks like carborundum to me. I had an uncle that worked for a company that produced it. I’ve got this 17-pound piece sitting in my garage.


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[Clay Diggins]

Looks like carborundum to me. I had an uncle that worked for a company that produced it. I’ve got this 17-pound piece sitting in my garage.

I looked closer at the first photo and I think you are right. No clinker ever crystallized in that distinct form.

It's man made. Now the question is who would leave carborundum in sand underwater in Malta?