What is this?

[forgetaboudit]

I bought this a long while ago at a rummage sale for 5 bucks I think. I was curious to see if anyone knows what makes it green? I've got large chunks of obsidian but they are as black as ever.

 

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[forgetaboudit]

Actually there are three or four different colors swirled in it... what is it??

 

[BurntBear]

Rainbow Obsidian?

Google Image Search for Rainbow Obsidian

 

[forgetaboudit]

That's it! Thanks a bunch!

 

[JLeonhardy]

Looks like rainbow obsidian with opalite. Great colors-- you hardly ever see yellow like that!

 

[forgetaboudit]

The little green and white in the one area is very intriguing.

 

[JLeonhardy]

The green and white is the part that is likely opalite. You find some strange color combos of it around obsidian beds.

 

[forgetaboudit]

I ended up taking it to a gem shop, and they said it was slag runoff from foundries and various other factories

 

[DDancer]

I'd say that's about right. Glass slag. Never seen obsidian, rainbow or otherwise, with that kind of coloration or form and never with white. That stuff would make for nice display in a rock garden though

 

[forgetaboudit]

What about this guy?? Just found this at work today. Geode??

 

[mamabear]

I agree with DDancer. But I'm no expert. It is mighty pretty though.

 

[DDancer]

That last pick~ doubt its a geode but the only way to tell is to cut it or crack it with a hammer. The exterior of geodes typically show chalcedony lines or agate like designs. Might be some small crystally vugs in that piece.

 

[forgetaboudit]

I took a couple whacks at it with a hammer and this is what she looks like...

 

[DDancer]

Sand stone with micro crystalline quartz veins running thru it. Almost looks like chalcedony but an interesting bit. Looks like you found some better views after malletizing it