DBlankeh Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Hey everyone! It's good to be back on the forums i missed you all. today i have some pictures of these two cool pieces i found on one of my adventures through an austin chalk layer here in texas. In my opinion, the surfaces of these specimens look almost like bark which led me to suspicion that perhaps these are pieces of petrified wood that have a quartz buildup in them? Since i'm still a novice i would LOVE to see what all the veterans think about what these pieces could be. I look forward to your feedback guys and thanks for looking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 You likely found a small fault in the chalk and Calcite often forms in those cracks. It is sometimes called "slickenside calcite". The human mind has the ability to believe anything is true. - JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBlankeh Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 ah so its probably calcite instead of quartz? Well, i seem to have just lost a bet with my girlfriend then. She has been swearing to me that it was calcite! Thanks for the info John! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squalicorax Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 If it scratches glass it is Quartz. If not, it is calcite which will bubble if you put vinegar on it. 1 My Flickr Page of My Collection: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79424101@N00/sets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecleland Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Is it possible to find petrified wood in chalk layers? if so I've got some hunting to do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBlankeh Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 thanks squali i will keep that in mind! I don't have any glass i can use currently but i got a smaller piece of this mineral which ill put some vinegar on once i get home. I'll post later if there is a reaction or not (chances are it probably will LOL) Since i'm out more in the field looking for fossils and minerals do you think it would be a wise investment to get a Mohs mineral hardness pick set so i can identify stuff on the fly? And ecleland i had the exact same question awhile back. From what i have researched the following ores can be found in chalk layers: Bismuthinite Limonite Magnetite tetrahedrite Gypsum PETRIFIED WOOD Jet Lignite ....and a bunch of others haha veterans correct me if my research is wrong (i'm still a newbie afterall!) but this is why i was thinking there might have been a possibility that this could be petrified wood due to its texture. If you get lucky and find some be sure to post some pics so i can bask in its petrified glory -Drew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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