Pyrites??

[auriphile]

At a distance the rock is shiny, smooth and glassy black. Lots of iron and copper in the area, pyrites are common - gold not so much.

 

[Longie]

Hard to give a definitive answer from a couple of photos but looks like gold not pyrites to me

 

[grubstake]

In the second pic, with the contrast enhanced and brightness lowered, it certainly looks like gold to me:

 

[Mackka]

Yep I am with Grubstake as the colour is too bright for pyrite which is normally a lot duller and greener.

 

[auriphile]

Hard to give a definitive answer from a couple of photos but looks like gold not pyrites to me

I'll see if I can coax a few more photos from the dying Pixel - the new Nokia has a rubbish camera.

<snipped>...the colour is too bright for pyrite which is normally a lot duller and greener.

My thought too - but it's awfully fine

<snipped>...it certainly looks like gold to me

Pity I patched a few holes in the driveway with a bucket of the same rock...

 

[Bidgee]

I agree with the others. Doesnt look like pyrite to me. Have you tried picking at it with something sharp? Pyrite will flake and crumble.

 

[geof_junk]

Put a drop of acid on a spot and see how it reacts.

 

[RichardWest]

Try a conductivity test on some that looks connected.

 

[auriphile]

<snipped> Have you tried picking at it with something sharp? Pyrite will flake and crumble.

My eyes aren't that good! (they're microscopic specks)

 

[auriphile]

Put a drop of acid on a spot and see how it reacts.

I'll try some hydrochloric tonight.

 

[auriphile]

Try a conductivity test on some that looks connected.

Thanks - I'll give it a try this evening.