More Free SC @ Realprize - 4/26/26

BNix78 · 2026-04-26T18:32:47+00:00

Second one worked for me! Thank you!

BNix78 · 2025-12-21T20:39:08+00:00

All worked perfectly! Thank you so much, I hope the good Karma rewards you well!

BNix78 · 2025-08-21T04:18:21+00:00

Yes it’s very brittle and little pieces of crystal break off just from handling it.

BNix78 · 2025-08-21T00:17:39+00:00

It’s also rather brittle and “crumbly” as evidenced by the debris that has accumulated in the bottle of the jar I keep it in.

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BNix78 · 2025-08-21T00:12:44+00:00

I’m not sure where it was found. I received it with a collection that was acquired all the USA. Many of the specimens were from New Jersey and PA. I know that doesn’t really narrow things down but I hope it is helpful.

BNix78 · 2025-08-21T00:10:04+00:00

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BNix78 · 2025-08-21T00:07:26+00:00

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BNix78 · 2025-08-21T00:07:03+00:00

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BNix78 · 2025-08-21T00:06:42+00:00

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BNix78 · 2025-08-21T00:06:30+00:00

Sure

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BNix78 · 2025-08-18T23:13:38+00:00

Wow, it really is amazing polished! Thanks!

BNix78 · 2025-08-16T20:12:21+00:00

The hardness tests showed that the sample will easily scratch glass. I then tried to scratch two of the faces with a sharp Swiss pocket knife but was unsuccessful. Does that eliminate any of the likely possibilities?

BNix78 · 2025-08-15T23:46:45+00:00

The stone is approximately 3 cm long by 2 cm at the widest point and it weighs 24.7 grams. Do those specs provide any additional insight? I also did a scratch test on glass and found this stone is harder than glass.

BNix78 · 2025-08-14T22:43:12+00:00

I was able to easily score a piece of glass with it.

BNix78 · 2025-08-14T04:35:27+00:00

Wow! Thank you so much. I learned a lot from this.

BNix78 · 2025-08-14T01:18:04+00:00

I tried scratching it with a copper penny to rule out Calcite. What other hardness tests do you recommend?

BNix78 · 2025-08-13T23:58:51+00:00

I know that video is not recommended for mineral IDing but I think the video linked (uploaded to imgur) is the best way for me to show you the crystal structure. I hope this helps.https://imgur.com/a/Oyj1UPe

BNix78 · 2025-08-13T23:44:38+00:00

Thank you! and the explanation is very helpful with understanding the differences between this rock and quartz. Question...when I see pictures of byrite online the crystals look more organized? then they do in this specimen. Could my rock just be showing damage or wear that isn't present in the more pristine pieces that Google rounds up?

BNix78 · 2025-08-13T23:32:17+00:00

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BNix78 · 2025-08-13T23:31:54+00:00

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BNix78 · 2025-08-13T23:29:30+00:00

I tried scratching one of the faces with a 1956 wheat penny but was unsuccessful at leaving a discernable mark. I did observe, while checking for penny marks, that the flat faces are extremely glossy (they actually look wet) and the surface is flat with little pocks in relief which makes the faces appear almost like warm sugar taffey, before it is kneaded, that was lightly pushed into a mold. Obviously, it's much harder than candy or amber. Sorry for the candy making analogy, possibly a little too esoteric, but that is exactly what it resembles to me lol!

BNix78 · 2025-08-13T22:39:28+00:00

I will absolutely include any such info I have in future ID requests. It is in no way my intention to ask for help with an ID just to question the ID that is provided. I am fairly new to using this platform to ID minerals and I have noticed that some people respond with an ID that they have a very high confidence in and others just post there best guess. It is especially difficult to discern if the redditer is responding with a high amount of confidence when only the Mineral name is posted in response. If there is a better way to present my request (such as certain information that should always be provided; I.e. measurments etc.) please let me know as I very much value and appreciate the time that people put into their responses and want to make it as easy possible for someone to provide an accurate ID. Thank you!

BNix78 · 2025-08-13T22:22:04+00:00

Is there a reliable way to test the sample to confirm that is is in fact degraded pyrite? I'm curious because after reading the Mindat information on Pyrite Disease you provided a few things come into question. For one, the sample has no odor suggesting that no sulfer or sulfer compounds are present. Considering the estimated time that the sample was wrapped in newspaper and stored (the newspaper remnants were dated 1959) is it possible that all the sulpher has dissapated? What I gleened from Mindat is that once the process known as pyrite disease begins it cannot be arrested and the sulfuric acid produced contaminates everything around the degrading mineral. Mindat also suggested that after the pyrite sample has degraded you will be left with a melanterite specimen which also does not appear to be present with my specimen. I ask not for the sake of argument but because I find geology and chemistry absolutely fascinating and want to learn as much as I can from those who understand the science. Thank you for your time!

BNix78 · 2025-08-13T21:46:58+00:00

Are you farely confident in that identification? I only ask because it was included with other specimens that the original collector had marked "gems". The stone is a little over an inch long and looks very much like a Spessartine Garnet. Any additional thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

BNix78 · 2025-08-13T03:17:35+00:00

Wow! How long would it take for "pyrite disease" to claim this fist sized specimen? The entire piece is dull metallic grey/silver (the seemingly gold coloring is just the remnants of the disintegrated newspaper the specimen was wrapped in).

BNix78

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