ok so i have this assignment, my professor gave me a chunck of something and i have to figure out what it could be. so this is what i know, it was found on the Gulf Coast, its made of Quartz and Calcite, water would probably run off of it, at times all sides were exposed, because i only have a chunck of it part of its missing and the texture is really important. Its very hard and uneven around the edges and the top is somewhat smooth and the back is not at all (its very rought). The top part appears to be waxy, and its an orange, red, brownish color. He also said the color + something else is important.
2007-05-17 08:37:08 · 2 answers · asked by chartreuse 33 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
I can't think of any rock that is made up of calcite and quartz. I do know you can find them together. Calcite and quartz can both have a very waxy look. The colour is probably from ferric iron impurities in either the calcite or the quartz (maybe both). But I don't know if this has a specific name.
2007-05-17 09:49:42 · answer #1 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that your rock is calcite... Calcite is soft enough to be scratched by a fingernail and dissolves easily. If it is waxy and orangish, it might be jasper (it it's opaque) or carnelian (if light passes through).
Try looking up "Moh's hardness scale" to find some ways to test how hard your rock is.
2007-05-18 09:34:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋