Does anyone know what these are?

[crystal ocean]

I found these at Pueblo Reservoir in Colorado; It's very desert like there. I'm originally from NJ and these looked like the iron ore I used to find there. However, they were never in shapes like these. They surprised me because they are not magnetic, I've seen meteorites that look like these, even some that were only slightly magnetic, I've also been told possibly fossilized poop. I've had them for years, but never checked them out ; they are a mystery to me. Any Ideas? [img src="http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm128/hulagirl55/IMG_0017_2-1.jpg[/IMGi295.photobucket.com/albums/mm128/hulagirl55/IMG_0024_2-1.jpg"]

[crystal ocean]

Here's another photo. Couldn't get two on one post.

[scott]

That reminds me of the phosphate nodules scattered everywhere at phosphate mine at Aurora, NC.

[xtldggr]

crystal ocean,

The photos are rather vague,(black minerals are always tough to photograph) but my first impression is volcanics. I have found Augite xtals in a volcanic tuff west of Flagstaff, Az that look somewhat like the pieces you have photographed ,especially the ones that are rectangular. Apache tears (obsidian) is also a possibility. how were these specimens found? in situ? on the surface etc. What type of bedrock is in the area. Do you have the luxury of breaking one to determine if it has any recognizable cleavage. Have you tried to determine its hardness?

Good Luck!!


John M. Makohon

[crystal ocean]

How do I determine hardness? I don't know the process. They do scratch glass. I found them on the ground. The terrain, I think is shale in layers, it breaks easily. But that's in the flooded canyon area below. Up above on the surface without digging is dirt these are just laying on the surface like gravel. They are dark brown not black, and rust colored in grooves and pits. the round ones shown are pitted, other shapes are smooth, they look metallic. I know they are not obsidian. I broke one to test cleavage; it broke cleanly in half, very flat. I looked at it under magnification and saw extremely small crystals catching the light. The crystals are florescent,all purple except one spot glowed orange. Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Donna

[sapphiregirl]

To me they look like Tekites which comes from an asteroid or meteor strike.

[crystal ocean]

I did some more research; Tektites they are.

Thanks,
Donna

[DigDug]

Yeah, I recognized them as tektites......supreme find! .....and you say they ARE NOT magnetic? That is indeed interesting.