[meteorite-list] Re: meteorwrong = hematite ?

From: Zelimir Gabelica <Z.Gabelica_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Sep 16 13:31:55 2004
Message-ID: <5.0.2.1.2.20040916193140.01e555c0_at_pop.univ-mulhouse.fr>

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: <xrr_at_altern.org>
>>>>To: <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
>>>>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
Received on Thu 16 Sep 2004 01:37:33 PM PDT