What kind of black rock is this?
- Thread starter Cackyz
- Start date
Help Support Prospecting Australia:
Could be Leverite.
Moneybox
Philip & Sandra Box
Hi Brains Trust - my son found this rock near Shepparton Vic - he wanted to know if it was anything cool so I thought I’d ask around - thank you
Sure it's a cool rock. Anything worth taking home is a cool rock, we've got a yard full of them but I think the coin might be worth more to some people. My guess it's a piece of Magnetite that's very well water worn. Have you seen that ironstone jewellery?
On the other hand the texture looks like a blue rock we brought back from Wittenoom in WA. My mind is blank at the moment but I'll remember it soon
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2024
- Messages
- 6
- Reaction score
- 2
My guess is black jasper. Again, this is a guess. Recently tumbled a piece that looks identical, it's jet black and will shine up amazingly.
Moneybox, why would you feel the need to make the comment that some people might find the 50 cents more valuable? The bloke is simply after a simple rock identification he doesn't think it's a piece of gold
Mackka, Leverite? Do you mean 'Leaverite?' as in the geologists 'joke'?...
Moneybox, this looks nothing like Riebekerite. How do u possibly came to that conclusion is baffling. It's also not magnetite and looks nothing like it.
Cackyz, my suggestion if you want serious answers, from real rockhounds, a rock identification page on reddit or Aussie lapidary forum will be more helpful than here.
Moneybox, why would you feel the need to make the comment that some people might find the 50 cents more valuable? The bloke is simply after a simple rock identification he doesn't think it's a piece of gold
Mackka, Leverite? Do you mean 'Leaverite?' as in the geologists 'joke'?...
Moneybox, this looks nothing like Riebekerite. How do u possibly came to that conclusion is baffling. It's also not magnetite and looks nothing like it.
Cackyz, my suggestion if you want serious answers, from real rockhounds, a rock identification page on reddit or Aussie lapidary forum will be more helpful than here.
Moneybox
Philip & Sandra Box
Great to know we have a new expert on board girlandherwhitewolf 
Magnetite
I do get my magnetite and hematite mixed up.
Hematite
Both are iron ore, can be polished and can look quite spectacular.
Riebekerite
When I mentioned Riebekerite I was talking of its texture however we're only looking at a photo and I'm no expert
Magnetite
I do get my magnetite and hematite mixed up.
Hematite
Both are iron ore, can be polished and can look quite spectacular.
Riebekerite
When I mentioned Riebekerite I was talking of its texture however we're only looking at a photo and I'm no expert
I don't think sarcasm suits you, Phil and I hope that @girlandherwhitewolf isn't put off by it.Great to know we have a new expert on board girlandherwhitewolf
Fact is, PA is lacking in members with rock ID skills since goldierocks departed - we do our best, but there seems to be a fair bit of guesswork involved (especially when I offer an opinion), rather than actual know-how, which is unfortunate.
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2016
- Messages
- 276
- Reaction score
- 298
Doing a few very basic tests may help. I agree with Moneybox in that it may be Magnetite or Hematite. If it sticks to a magnet, then it's more likely to be Magnetite as pure Hematite under normal circumstances is non Magnetic.
Also you can perform a simple scratch test by dragging the stone across the surface of ceramic for example. The colour of the powder left along the scratch will help you determine.
Hematite will leave a rusty redish colour where as Magnetite will leave a dark grey colour.
It may very well be neither of those. If so I'd say it may be Basalt.
Also you can perform a simple scratch test by dragging the stone across the surface of ceramic for example. The colour of the powder left along the scratch will help you determine.
Hematite will leave a rusty redish colour where as Magnetite will leave a dark grey colour.
It may very well be neither of those. If so I'd say it may be Basalt.
Unlike minerals, rocks are never of pure unvarying composition which would allow their properites to be exactly expressed. Rocks of the same general classification eg basalt, granite etc can and do have a range of mineral composition ratios, properties and colours within general parameters.
Geologic context is therefore very important in rock identification and the worrying thing is its location as being "near Shepparton"
The geology there is dominated by the Murray alluvial flood plain and wind blown deposits and the bedrock around Shepparton would be very deep and the rock unlikely to be of local origin and most likely transported there artificially.
Perhaps exactly where it was found, if clarified, could give a further clue.
Also cracking the rock open to expose a fresh unweathered or polished surface may also be of help.
I hate to leave a post like this without at least expressing a guess and mine would be an evenly and highly polished bit of basalt perhaps of the type used for aquariums and other decorative purposes.
PS Also miss Moneybox's contributions and found him always a willing participant and almost always right in these types of debates and learned a lot from him.
Geologic context is therefore very important in rock identification and the worrying thing is its location as being "near Shepparton"
The geology there is dominated by the Murray alluvial flood plain and wind blown deposits and the bedrock around Shepparton would be very deep and the rock unlikely to be of local origin and most likely transported there artificially.
Perhaps exactly where it was found, if clarified, could give a further clue.
Also cracking the rock open to expose a fresh unweathered or polished surface may also be of help.
I hate to leave a post like this without at least expressing a guess and mine would be an evenly and highly polished bit of basalt perhaps of the type used for aquariums and other decorative purposes.
PS Also miss Moneybox's contributions and found him always a willing participant and almost always right in these types of debates and learned a lot from him.
