Looks like tin mate, but just as bigger average size. Casiterite or something like that.View attachment 9887
I found a patch of this black shiny rock. It doesn't affect the metal detector and it doesn't attract the magnet. I think it's volcanic glass that's been extruded from the quartz rock.
Looks like tin mate, but just as bigger average size. Casiterite or something like that.
View attachment 9894
I was in a pit full of the stuff last weekend, no signals at all.Looks the same but Cassiterite usually registers on the detector?
The black volcanic glass (obsidian) that I've seen, breaks with smooth faces, like actual glass. All of your stuff is textured.I found a patch of this black shiny rock. It doesn't affect the metal detector and it doesn't attract the magnet. I think it's volcanic glass that's been extruded from the quartz rock.
Looks like coal Is it light in weight?View attachment 9887
I found a patch of this black shiny rock. It doesn't affect the metal detector and it doesn't attract the magnet. I think it's volcanic glass that's been extruded from the quartz rock.
The black volcanic glass (obsidian) that I've seen, breaks with smooth faces, like actual glass. All of your stuff is textured.
Maybe slag. Any old furnaces around the area?
Looks like coal Is it light in weight?
Do any of the quartz pieces laying around have any of the mineral still attached and vice versa which would definitively prove their natural geological association?Definitely no processing in the area. It's a gold producing area with lots of hollow and burned looking quartz.
Hematite, an iron oxide, is the most common black or brownish-black mineral in sedimentary and low-grade metasedimentary rocks. It varies greatly in form and appearance, but all hematite produces a reddish streak.
View attachment Black rock.MOVHave you got a ceramic tile or similar about Phil. If so do a streak test on it.
If it's red I'd say you've got some hematite which is common in WA.
Do any of the quartz pieces laying around have any of the mineral still attached and vice versa which would definitively prove their natural geological association?
Maybe a case for the mineral ID test kit, ie harness, specific gravity, streak colour, fresh fracture type, roast smell, flame colour test etc.
Unless my screen is off that looks to be a reddish brown/rust colour that would be expected from hematite (streak is from red to reddish brown).