WillyDaChilly

Further update: After consulting with a local geologist, it has been determined that samples were not Mongolian plutonium, but Arizona turquoise. Specifically from the Bisbee region. Thanks for all your help....

After hours of scouring the internet for information regarding the lick test, ive come to the conclusion that what i have is Mongolian Plutonium Ore. Very rare. Im so lucky.

Up date : I googled "Tounge sticks to turquoise" and got mixed yes and no answers. Some say chrysocolla some say turquoise.

OK, so the results of the tounge sticking test are as follows (tests done after approx. 24_30oz of Coors Light): Small roundish stone- mild stick about the same as note paper. Small flat stone- same as above, maybe less. Large stone- WHOA!!! What the heck is that all about. Kind of startled me. Very strong stick. Had to follow up with more Coors Light. So, what do you make of the results?? The curiosity is too much to bear. And thanks, if nothing else it was an interesting test.

Here are a couple more, probably the same but I'd still like to hear opinions on them. Stones are wet in all pictures. Thanks

Thanks for clearing that up Haderly. I'm still learning and very confused. The Red you call cuprite is the bulk of the stone. And it is clayish not crystals. I looked at lots of pictures of "Sonora Sunrise" which is supposed to be alot of cuprite. I'm not doubting your judgement , just trying to figure it out. Can the form and color vary for each mineral? I do think there is at least some chrysocolla in there. How do you differentiate it from turquoise, which I know can be many colors. Thanks for your input.

Would you mind elaborating on that opinion Adam?

And here is one of the slabs, which may or may not have come from the larger piece. Not sure.

Thank you Au. Im not trying to step on any toes I just saw the title and thought it was the place to do it. And thank you chris. I think you are right about the copper ore. From my understanding, the copper mines is where the turquoise, chrysocolla and malachite are found.

Hello all, Im a newbie here and to the entire rockhounding experience. That said, i believe i have the hound fever. I aquired the stone pictured at an estate sale along with cut slabs wrapped in 1976 newspaper. That was my only clue about what the stone is and where it came from. Im hoping some of you older members can verify my guess, which is: Turquoise pulled from the Lavender Pit in 1974 or 1975. My reasoning is the date of newspaper wrapping coincides with the pits closure. The matrix is a red clay and the two small chips pictured (notice the lavender hue on them) came off one of the slab