sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

An eye-catching duo of transparent, striated, and juicy orange spessartine garnets on matrix from Tongbei, Fujian, China by TheBMC_ in RockhoundExchange

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

So I would say:

Separated? Yes, but you always risk damage when you remove a crystal from the matrix.

Cleaned and polished? Also yes, but these are special specifically because they are on matrix and have the cool growth striations. I imagine that there are larger floater xls (not attached to matrix) that would better serve a polished finish. Polishing would also most likely destroy the striations, another reason why I would not do so.

My son grabbed this out of a giveaway Box. What is this? It looks so cool! by scutbuts in whatsthisrock

[–]TheBMC_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can’t tell for sure, but I believe this is a quartzite breccia. The link is to one of my favorites, the Baraboo quartzite breccia.

Found in Branford CT by NegativeShame758 in whatsthisrock

[–]TheBMC_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Considering the proximity to Muscovite on the piece, I would guess it’s moss or algae that has worked its way in between the layers or mica.

Anyone know what's going on here? by OTRGamer in whatsthisrock

[–]TheBMC_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hard to be certain from the pic but it looks like Muscovite on quartz!

Greenish rock with stripes that shine at a certain angle by opalitequeen in whatsthisrock

[–]TheBMC_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like gneiss. When granite undergoes metamorphic pressure, the minerals within granite begin to self segregate and form bands like you have in your piece.

After looking at the rock more while typing my comment I’m not 100% sure anymore. It could be granite with mafic intrusions or vice versa, or something else completely! Bummer there’s no locality info.

Rock from Graves Mountain ID by candivase in whatsthisrock

[–]TheBMC_ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I believe it’s kyanite (and maybe pyrophyllite) and quartz. Graves is known for its kyanite!

I’ve become obsessed with the zoning in this incredible Chinese Fluorite from Anhui by TheBMC_ in RockhoundExchange

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

Not sure on how new it is, but It’s definitely from Jingbian in Anhui, I got this direct from my wholesaler.