Mystery mineral from the Iron Range, MN

[TheGoblinKing]

This oddly colored crystal druzy was found in August of 2022 on a iron tailings hill outside of hibbing, MN. I've hiked many of these dump spots for high quality quarts, this particular hill didn't seem to bear any though. Aside from the subject in the photos, there was nothing else that caught my eye about the location.

 

If anyone has any ideas about its identity, I would greatly appreciate it! Happy hunting!

 

 

Pictures/video (in descending order)1-5

Edited February 18, 2023 by TheGoblinKing

[Ludwigia]

I'd say quartz with iron inclusions which give it the colors.

[TheGoblinKing]

19 minutes ago, Ludwigia said:

I'd say quartz with iron inclusions which give it the colors.

Can iron cause the color to vary that much? I'm very use to reds and yellows from iron inclusion, blue is quite new ro me though

 

Edit: I guess what I'm so confused about is the wide color variation in such a small space. I guess I usually expect color to be consistent.

 

Thanks!

Edited February 18, 2023 by TheGoblinKing
Some thought thinking

[digit]

1 hour ago, TheGoblinKing said:

I'm very use to reds and yellows from iron inclusion, blue is quite new ro me though

I think the bluish area is caused more from microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony) than from iron. @ynot

 

 

Cheers.

 

-Ken

[Ludwigia]

For your information, iron impurities cause the purple-blue color in amethyst. Iron can also cause the color green. It's quite a versatile metal.

[ynot]

16 hours ago, digit said:

think the bluish area is caused more from microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony)

Pure chalcedony is white. Impurities cause color.

 

18 hours ago, TheGoblinKing said:

Can iron cause the color to vary that much?

Yes.

[TheGoblinKing]

Thanks for clearing some things up for me everyone, I appreciate the help!