Xavier,
Hematite is NOT attracted by a magnet. And it very often shows a smooth dark red-brown to quasi black surface, often rounded when it is not in (black shiny) crystals . Rarely is the rounded surface rough.
If metallic grains are visible, just follow Bernd's suggestion and make a window.
If the window (best = polished) shows metallic patches throughout, the next attempt should be the classical test for nickel (dimethylglyoxime test, see e.g. Northon's book or various other general threatises)
Good luck!
Zelimir
A 19:15 16/09/04 +0200, vous avez �crit :
Hi again,
Yes I will probably try to slice it but I still wonder how :) I was planning to just break it but if there's a doubt I'd prefer not :)
It's true that I forgot to say that it is clearly attracted to magnet and as the micro picture shows there are (top of the picture) some brigh metalic grains visible (in the holes zone mainly but not only). I haven't tryed to calculate the density yet.
Is an hematite never attracted by a magnet ?
Cheers from Stuttgart... (just to mess things up, back in france tomorrow:) )
Xavier
Zelimir Gabelica wrote:Xavier,
Bernd wrote:
Xavier, if *you* want to be 100% sure they are (not) meteoritic,
why not cut a window or have a window cut into your two stones.
If there are FeNi patches (nickel-iron) and maybe chondrules or
other tell-tale features, it would be proof beyond doubt. Just an
idea from Germany.
Best wishes,
Bernd
Bernd is completely right.
Perhaps a quicker test would be you simply try first with a magnet. A hematite (and generally - not always though- a meteorwrong) is not attracted.
As your pictures show stones that resemble ordinary chondrites (quasi always attracted), the magnet test will give you a rapid idea/guess.
If you want to make sure the wrong is hematite (and not any other type of terrestrial stone), make a simple mark (streak) on a piece of rough china (porcelain). Hematite will give a red-brown mark (hence the name of the mineral). Most stones yield no mark or often some gray-black one.
Note that some terrestrial minerals like magnetite (of course) do attract magnet....
In case of doubt, Bernd's advice is the next to follow
An idea from France
All the best
Zelimir
A 18:29 16/09/04 +0200, vous avez �crit :
Well, at least it's clear, everybody seems to agree ! :) (for Michael : the four pics are the same rock)
a chance I didn't pay much ! and a proof I have a lot to learn ! I have another
one that I will show you, but I guess it will be the same then as it was the same vendor... :)
So far I didn't want to break it but I guess I will crack it open just to make sure...
and to begin to learn, what are the characteristics (on those pictures) identifying with no doubt as an hematite ?
Thanks all for your quick answers !
Xavier
The Earth's Memory wrote:
Hello, 100% sure: hematite, that is bad luck ! Cheers from France, Bruno & Carine La Memoire de la Terre Sarl The Earth's Memory LLC France www.meteorite.fr www.fossile.fr
----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 5:56 PM Subject: [meteorite-list] New - Is this a meteorite ?
Prof. Zelimir Gabelica Universit� de Haute Alsace ENSCMu, Lab. GSEC, 3, Rue A. Werner, F-68093 Mulhouse Cedex, France Tel: +33 (0)3 89 33 68 94 Fax: +33 (0)3 89 33 68 15
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Prof. Zelimir Gabelica Universit� de Haute Alsace ENSCMu, Lab. GSEC, 3, Rue A. Werner, F-68093 Mulhouse Cedex, France Tel: +33 (0)3 89 33 68 94 Fax: +33 (0)3 89 33 68 15
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