Calling all geologists.

^^^I have looked everywhere I could think of to figure out what type of rock this is.

Does anyone know?
My husband inherited a LARGE collection from his uncle.



Here is the back;


THANKS MUCH!!!

[edit on 8-5-2008 by Clearskies]

[edit on 8-5-2008 by Clearskies]

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[edit on 8-5-2008 by Jbird]

Here's a side view;


We've talked to rock dealers. (gems, geodes, minerals)
They didn't know. But it Is a natural formation.

A guess would be nice enough.
Thanks again.


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[edit on 8-5-2008 by Jbird]

I am no Geologist, but I have seen this formation before in the tailings of an Opal mine. You may want to check your local area for a rock hound club, most towns have them. They are good people and are usually willing to help out. You may also try stores that sell rock hound equipment, panning, shovels, etc. Good Luck!

those bubble are usually caused by extremely high temperatures so I'm gonna say it came from a volcano. So its some kind of conglomerate i guess

Anyone else?
It's a mystery, so far.

Thanks puplemonkey,
but I've looked into the volcanic conglomerate stones, and they look nothing like this stone.
This is just a beginning of what he has.

***BUMP***

Maybe there are some rock hounds here tonight.

I am not a geologists but your rock looks like sap off a tree or amber.

Amber rabbit:

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Raw amber:

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Mod Note: Forum Image Linking Policy – Please Review This Link.


[edit on 9-5-2008 by Jbird]

Thank you.
I don't think it's amber, because it's so light and sounds like fine china when you tap it. Ding!
Someone said volcanic and I would think so, but we can't find anything similar. Most volcanic is dark and brittle, it seems.

I had a fine amber necklace I got on my honeymoon.
They seemed different. This is very much like glass. ???

BTW,
Are you the guy that beat Stephen Colbert in the dance-off?
Stephen Colbert LOL

[edit on 9-5-2008 by Clearskies]

those bumps kind of reminds me of stalactites... why don't you ask th person where they got it from?

Purplemonkey,
Thanks!
That's what I thought too.
Regrettably, his uncle is deceased.
He is the one he got these rocks from.

i did stugy geology and i have many specimens, but i have no idea what it is, from afar it looks like amber

[edit on 9-5-2008 by Herbal Oli]

I am going to go with a Fulgurite although I am by no means a geologist.

Here are some sample photo's ontice the sand exterior and the melted glassy interior in these ones although the colours are different and obviously depend on the material hit by the lightning.


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It could also be a geode, but I couldn't find anything like it as they tend to be crystalline in the centre instead of glassy.

Well, it's difficult to identify a rock by picture alone, but it is obvious that you have part of a geode with some botryoidal mineral inside.

Here is a resource to help you identify the mineral. Let us know what you conclude.

[edit on 9-5-2008 by loam]

Looks like part of a plug from a volcano to me. The bubble like appearance and the glassy look makes me thingk that it could be a type of volcanic glass.

My husband has another piece that is the same and it is not a geode but good guess. There was a repected rock sales man that he talked to and he said it was a national treasure. Something that he had never seen before. He dealt in geodes for about 20 years, so I know it's not a geode or amber. Thanks

It's Smithsonite. It comes in several colors from light to dark green, yellow, purple, pink, blue, and white. It often grows in these botryoidal (bubble shaped crystal growth) formations. Smithsonite Hope that helps. I have a couple of nice pieces myself. Such as

reply to post by Clearskies

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If it is that rare, then have you considered botryoidal fluorite?



[edit on 9-5-2008 by loam]

Here's a nice close up. On some botryoidal crystals, you almost get a fuzzy appearance from the light reflecting off of the thin fibers.
If you check ebay in the rocks and minerals section, you can find thousands of rocks to compare and help identify your collection.

[edit on 5/9/2008 by venom79x]

Yep that looks to be it, here's another picture as well.


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