Found Something Interesting

[jarredmorrison]

I apologize for posting this here due to it not in fact being a fossil. If there is a forum for mineral identification that would be a more proper place for this specific topic and someone could point me that direction, I will use that avenue in the future.

For the past 5 or 6 weeks I have been searching in the same area and found numerous fossils of Crinoids including Platycrinites Crinoids. I have also found Horn Coral and several Brachiopods, including Rhynchonellida and Spirifer.

I keep finding this kind of mineral/crystal around and near the fossil's i am finding, not sure if quartz but i don't think so. If anyone knows what this is please share.

[JohnJ]

Your topic has been moved to Rocks & Minerals.

You should test a piece of this in vinegar. I looks like some calcite formations, but I've seen selenite seams that look similar, too.

[jarredmorrison]

Thank you, what should the reaction be in vinegar?

[JohnJ]

Thank you, what should the reaction be in vinegar?

Bubbles or noticeable fizzing with calcite; little to nothing with selenite.

[jarredmorrison]

THANKS

[dshamilla]

jarredmorrison,

Overall, it looks like calcite or aragonite (both CaCO3) to me. The acid (vinegar) test is the way to go for calcite (CaCO3). If its selenite (CaSO4) , you should be able to scratch it with your fingernail. On what's called the Mohs scale of hardness calcite sits at 3, your fingernail at 2.5 and selenite at 2. Meaning your fingernail will not be able to scratch the calcite but will scratch the selenite.

[howard_l]

If it does not fizz see if it scratches glass if it does it is probably quartz. Calcite is much softer.