this post was submitted on 31 Mar 2025
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What is this thing?

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Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.

Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you've got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let's see how we do. Please prefix such posts with "CHALLENGE:" so we know we've got a fighting chance.

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what is this rock? (infosec.pub)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by wieson@feddit.org to c/whatisthisthing@lemmy.world
 

A brittle rock made of glitter. It breaks in this linear fashion and can be pound into sand by a mortar and pestle.

Anyone got any clues?

Edit: Thanks for all the answers. I found it in Romania and after searching for forums of minerals from Romania, I got a few other clues.

It isn't conclusive to me yet, but the possibilities are:

  • Pyrit
  • Mica
  • Schist
  • Nagyágit
  • Calaverit
  • Sylvanit

Of these, Mica and Sylvanit fit the best (imo).

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[–] baconeater@lemm.ee 35 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 30 points 2 months ago (1 children)

a better way to do it is post something like "look what a cool bauxit i found" and then just wait for them to angrily correct you 😄

[–] sga@lemmings.world 6 points 2 months ago

the linux support strategy i see

[–] Rogue5196@feddit.it 21 points 2 months ago (2 children)
[–] FauxLiving@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

African Grey is the only bird that's made me want a bird.

Enjoy your loud, destructive, flying toddler for the next several decades! :)

[–] uservoid1@lemmy.world 12 points 2 months ago
[–] Live_your_lives@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

I'm not all that great at identification, despite having a sizeable rock collection myself, but I feel pretty confident in saying that you've got a type of mica schist. Schists often are primarily composed of mica.

[–] Tiptopit@feddit.org 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

For clarification: Most of what you listed, are minerals. Rocks (like schist) are usually composed of different minerals.

Best guess I can make is, that your rock is some kind of schist and contains quite a lot mica. From your picture it does not look very much like pyrite.

The glitter from your rock, especially if it looks like small sheet like flakes is very likely the mica or some other sheet silicate.

That it breaks down quite easily may be a sign of weathering.

[–] FelixCress@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Not a rock, that's a mineral. Jesus, Marie…!