Unsure what this might be

[Hbcon]

Need help determining what this may be. Was found in Northeastern Saskatchewan. It is very porous with many of the pockets being over 1/4 inch deep, using a small wire inserted in opening to measure. The interior has a crystal almost fuzzy look (one pic is zoomed to this area). It measures 5 inches wide and 3 inches deep, and is lighter then most rocks of comparable size. Any thought appreciated as to what this might be

[Darktooth]

Your crystal is actually a bunch of very tiny Crystal's. This formation is called "Drusy". Your Crystal's are probably quartz or calcite.

[ynot]

I agree with a drusy quartz. (This is most likely a thin layer of agate formed in voids in a volcanic rock.)

[Ludwigia]

Just to be sure, try the acid test. Drop a bit of vinegar essence or concentrated lemon juice on it. If it bubbles, then you've got calcite, so rinse it off under clear running water right away. If not, then in all likelihood it's quartz.

[Mark Kmiecik]

Looks like quartz druzy. (Both spellings are acceptable, as well as druse)

[Hbcon]

Thanks for all the info. Gonna try the acid test. We also have a much larger rock that is very similar. How hard is druzy? Could it be extracted with a chisel without breaking it?

[Mark Kmiecik]

5 hours ago, Hbcon said:

Thanks for all the info. Gonna try the acid test. We also have a much larger rock that is very similar. How hard is druzy? Could it be extracted with a chisel without breaking it?

Anything you smack with a hammer and chisel WILL break, including diamond. You can lay a diamond down on a brick and smack it with a hammer and you'll turn it into dust. Extracting a small piece like that can be done with some care, but it is so common that you can find it easily if you look for it or buy it relatively cheap. I wouldn't bother with this specimen. In your lifetime you will probably find 100 specimens that are 10 times better than this one if you keep your eyes open when looking for other things. It is seriously as common as dirt.

 

Druzy is a word that just describes very small crystals in large quantities. The crystal can be anything, so the hardness will vary depending on the mineral that has been crystallized.