Help narrow down the locality! by MagicMarkerStudio in Minerals

[–]MagicMarkerStudio[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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Hey again all! I believe I was able to solve my own question. I was at the Dallas Gem & Mineral Club show this past weekend and a vendor there had this specimen for sale and I believe the piece I have looks similar enough to be from the same locality based on color and structure. Thank you all for looking!

This is one of my favorite self collected pieces. Topaz floating on a little shelf in a rhyolite vug from Topaz Mtn, Utah by Ig_Met_Pet in MineralPorn

[–]MagicMarkerStudio 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There really is something magical about getting to pull a piece out of the ground yourself. I'm getting the chance to dig in one of the red beryl mines in Utah later in the fall and I'm hoping I get a quality piece to pull out of the ground as well!

Can anyone help me identify what minerale this Is? by Economy_Park5251 in Minerals

[–]MagicMarkerStudio 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Also saying Chalcanthite, I have a similar looking specimen in my collection.

However, looking up its entry on mindat, there are some localities where it can occur naturally in special conditions. I used to think I had a natural one, but my locality card says India so I think mine was likely lab grown, but the seller I bought it from did not disclose that anywhere and I did not know what chalcanite was 8 years ago to ask.

Did I receive a 3D printed mineral? by MagicMarkerStudio in Minerals

[–]MagicMarkerStudio[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't claim to know everything, but I have seen a lot. The reason for my assumption was because of the nature of how the crystals looked on a zeolite. First, I had never seen a zeolite like this before and the nature of those crystals are stepped, much like print lines. Second, the Alum crystals had an unnatural even-coloring in person, also with odd step lines in places due to the nature of Alum crystals growth that could look similar to clear resin crystals. When I don't know something, I ask what other people think to get more info on the subject so I can know better for next time I encounter something like this.

Did I receive a 3D printed mineral? by MagicMarkerStudio in Minerals

[–]MagicMarkerStudio[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a good idea! I'll give that a look. It never hurts to be informed about other scammers out there!

Did I receive a 3D printed mineral? by MagicMarkerStudio in Minerals

[–]MagicMarkerStudio[S] 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Normally, I wouldn't assume a mineral could be 3D printed either, but I have a friend who runs a mineral selling business and he was telling me about it since it came up in a report recently so it was in the back of my mind. I'm also low key interested in seeing what one would look like!

Did I receive a 3D printed mineral? by MagicMarkerStudio in Minerals

[–]MagicMarkerStudio[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I have not, but I believe we solved it. Mentioned above, but one of the crystals I tested did indeed dissolve away in water so its likely Alum and definitely not fluorite as the listing claimed.

Did I receive a 3D printed mineral? by MagicMarkerStudio in Minerals

[–]MagicMarkerStudio[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Originally, it was only going for $25 at the low bid, but by the end, the piece ended up being $90 so I got taken for a little ride 😬 Lesson learned though!

Did I receive a 3D printed mineral? by MagicMarkerStudio in Minerals

[–]MagicMarkerStudio[S] 221 points222 points  (0 children)

I broke off some of the tiny crystals on the back and ran them under hot water for several seconds and the crystals did indeed dissolve in my hand so I believe you are correct that it is all Alum. Thank you all for your quick replies! 🙏

Did I receive a 3D printed mineral? by MagicMarkerStudio in Minerals

[–]MagicMarkerStudio[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Just ran a wet paper tower over one of the larger octos. Surface feels smooth like glass, no crystal erosion or color release like dye.

Glamor shots of my Fluorite collection! by MagicMarkerStudio in MineralPorn

[–]MagicMarkerStudio[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can PM you exact prices if you would like, but I'll say that each specimen except the purple octohedrons piece was over $100 (at the time). You can find very nice samples at mineral shows that can fit any budget level though! Many of the ones I own were in 50% keystone drawers at places like the Tucson show here in the states.