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Identity HelpHelp Please 1

8th Dec 2018 02:11 UTCFrank Festa

Needle- like, short green crystals (10-12mm). Collected at Graphite Road roadcut, Monteagle Township, Hastings Co., Ontario, Canada

8th Dec 2018 02:19 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

A gang of diopside, perhaps.

Beautiful specimen!

8th Dec 2018 03:00 UTCFrank K. Mazdab 🌟 Manager

I can agree with Paul here, but also check the cross-sections. Eight-sided (stop sign) cross sections would suggest diopside; six-sided (hexagon) cross-sections might alternatively suggest apatite, which is also common in the area. Unfortunately none of the crystals in the posted pics are quite aligned right to tell unequivocally.

Seeing the debate on the adjoining "help 2" thread about whether that crystal is a pyroxene or an apatite, and having the same issue here, a word of helpful advice to collectors who'd like assistance in identifying well-formed crystals from photos alone would do themselves and those here they ask a great favor by showing at least 2 differently-oriented photos clearly showing their crystals' three principal directions, if possible. Triage of crystals with 90° angles vs those with 120° (or other) angles can quickly eliminate a lot of otherwise similar-looking materials.

8th Dec 2018 18:42 UTCAndrew Debnam 🌟

Frank if you put a small piece in HCL if it is Fluorapatite it will very quickly corrode and then dissolve. If you have already etched this piece in HCL then you already have the answer. In general the road cuts in this area more commonly contain Pyroxenes, Actinolite-Tremolite and Feldspars.

8th Dec 2018 20:32 UTCFrank Festa

A small crystal was removed from specimen........appears to be non-reactive to cold HCL (muratic acid). Cold because it is winter here and this type of material is stored outdoors.

Should you go to the "Graphite Road roadcut, Monteagle Township, Hastings Co., Ontario, Canada" page and view the photos, there appears to be a very similar material photographed and posted there.

ID # 86798

Listed as Amphibole Super Group (var: Uralite)

8th Dec 2018 21:14 UTCFrank K. Mazdab 🌟 Manager

"uralite" isn't really a mineral but is just a name given to fine-grained amphibole replacing earlier pyroxene. From your photos your crystals look too fresh and glassy to be "uralite".

Although the dissolution in acid test for apatite can be useful, it may be quicker (and less destructive) to just check the crystal cross-section... are there faces at 90° to each other (hence squarish or octagonal cross sections), or are they at 120° (hexagonal cross sections)?

8th Dec 2018 21:55 UTCFrank Festa

I hastily attached camera to adapter to microscope.....and shot "from the hip".......these are not quality photos I would upload but it's something.

I'm counting 8 sides on the crystals I can see, most are rounded over and not good broken off ends. I would have to remove a single crystal and break it.

8th Dec 2018 22:23 UTCFrank K. Mazdab 🌟 Manager

Hi Frank... yep, 8 sides and 90°/45° angles between the crystal faces... so diopside it is...

9th Dec 2018 16:43 UTCUwe Kolitsch Manager

Yep, typical cross-section for diopside.

9th Dec 2018 17:43 UTCFrank Festa

It was thrilling to say the least. You guys were great, thanks for the help.

I think the prize goes to Mr. Brandles as he originally called it. Nice Job.

Frank

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