Karyann Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 I found this on a beach in Prince Edward Island, Canada and i’m trying to identify it. I haven’t weighed it, but I’m estimating around 10 pounds, and also has a bit of a waxy feel. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Topic moved to Fossil ID ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Gypsum ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 I agree with gypsum. 1 Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranzBernhard Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Not totally sure about gypsum. Its a beach find. While some parts appear dissolved, some parts appear quite "sharp". Could talc or fine-grained muscovite be an option? I think not, this island appears to be known for gypsum deposits, not for metamorphic rocks. Franz Bernhard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 9 minutes ago, FranzBernhard said: Not totally sure about gypsum. Its a beach find. While some parts appear dissolved, some parts appear quite "sharp". Could talc or fine-grained muscovite be an option? I think not, this island appears to be known for gypsum deposits, not for metamorphic rocks. Franz Bernhard Dirty grey outside, white inside. I learned about weathering/staining of gypsum when my family visited the island. I was only five years old, so the long red sand beaches are about the only other thing I remember about it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 The "waxy feel" did it for me. Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mahnmut Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 @Ludwigia, do you mean its wax? Because I tend to think it is. Or where you thinking about talcum? I have found big lumps of wax on many different beaches and used to make candles by just drilling a hole and inserting a wick- until I learned how much manmade toxins wax can collect from seawater... Best Regards, J Try to learn something about everything and everything about something Thomas Henry Huxley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Got a match ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karyann Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 So probably gypsum. Do you know if gypsum melts immediately with a hot needle test? Because this does. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 6 hours ago, Mahnmut said: big lumps of wax I think this must be it. I can't see gypsum melting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranzBernhard Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 7 hours ago, Karyann said: Do you know if gypsum melts immediately with a hot needle test? Because this does. No, neither gypsum or talc are melting under a hot needle. Interesting twist to that story, thanks to @Mahnmut, good catch! Franz Bernhard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 11 hours ago, Mahnmut said: do you mean its wax? No. I meant because it feels like wax, then it's probably gypsum in this form. 1 Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mahnmut Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 (edited) Hi Karyann, That you applied the hot needle test makes me wonder if you are hoping for ambergris? Your find has some of the characteristics, but I think wax is the best fit, and much more common nowadays. The odour should give it away when using the needle. Another option for whitish (or yellow-amberlike) stuff from the beach (especially in the baltic sea) is white phosphorus from WW2 bombs, we can exclude that by location and mainly because your house is not on fire by now... Best Regards, J Edited February 3, 2023 by Mahnmut additional info 1 1 Try to learn something about everything and everything about something Thomas Henry Huxley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 Yikes ! There's a test. If the house burns down it's . . . Good to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karyann Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 4 hours ago, FranzBernhard said: No, neither gypsum or talc are melting under a hot needle. Interesting twist to that story, thanks to @Mahnmut, good catch! Franz Bernhard Thanks Franz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karyann Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 7 hours ago, Mahnmut said: Hi Karyann, That you applied the hot needle test makes me wonder if you are hoping for ambergris? Your find has some of the characteristics, but I think wax is the best fit, and much more common nowadays. The odour should give it away when using the needle. Another option for whitish (or yellow-amberlike) stuff from the beach (especially in the baltic sea) is white phosphorus from WW2 bombs, we can exclude that by location and mainly because your house is not on fire by now... Best Regards, J Yes, someone thought it might be Ambergris, but there is no odor. So wax it is! Thanks, K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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