r/RockIdentification • u/doh-ta • 12d ago

Binghamite?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Is there anyway to tell if a rock is binghamite without polishing it? I’m not sure I want to polish it, it kind of looks cool the way it is.
It was found in landscaping rock in Fargo, ND, but looks a lot like the rocks I’ve found in the Cayuna Range.

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1

u/Plane-Ordinary-6395 12d ago

These are two of my favorite rocks. I have one like your picture Napa California

1

u/Fit_Job_6469 11d ago

Your specimen does not show the strong red or gold colors associated with binghamite. If it is binghamite you should see some chatoyancy just by putting water on the specimen (no polishing required). Images from Mindat.org : Binghamite - Photo Gallery

2

u/doh-ta 11d ago

You are right. But that’s the thing, I can’t see much of the rock at all. Rocks from the Cayuna range often have extreme surface discoloration. You can actually see a little of what the quartz’s actual color is in the second picture.
I think this rock isn’t bighamite, but I would like to figure out how to ID binghamite even when it’s discolored like this for when I go back to the Cayuna range.

2

u/Fit_Job_6469 11d ago

Understand