Is This Rock Magnetite? Investigating Magnetic Ore Identification

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the identification of a rock found by a participant during a hike, with a particular focus on whether it is magnetite or another type of iron ore. The conversation includes observations about the rock's magnetic properties and visual characteristics, as well as the geological context of its location.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests the rock is likely magnetite due to its strong attraction to neoindium magnets and the presence of a known magnetite deposit in the area.
  • Another participant notes that the blurry pictures make it difficult to identify the rock definitively but agrees that it could be magnetite, while also mentioning the possibility of finding other iron ore types like limonite and hematite in the area.
  • A participant mentions observing red dots on the rock that resemble red iron oxide, raising the possibility that the rock may contain other materials.
  • Responses indicate a general acknowledgment of the typical nature of finding variations of iron ore in such deposits.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the rock could be magnetite given its location and magnetic properties, but there are uncertainties regarding its exact identification and the presence of other materials.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes limitations such as the quality of the images provided, which affects the ability to make a clear identification of the rock. There are also unresolved questions about the implications of the observed red dots.

YoungPhysicist
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Yesterday as I was hiking with my friend, I found a weird rock:
63CB2083-9FC4-4057-98A0-AB5A6AD77F1C.jpeg

My guess is that it is magnetite, since the mountain I found it has the biggest magnetite deposit in Taiwan.But I am not sure.It sticks to neoindium magnets really well.
E5B9A729-4E7B-4185-9198-E7EB2B900DC6.jpeg

Close up:
A39FBC02-2C6F-45D8-97CD-AEFC50AEEF6B.jpeg

Is it something else,or it is magnetite as I thought?
 

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Young physicist said:
Yesterday as I was hiking with my friend, I found a weird rock:
View attachment 236845My guess is that it is magnetite, since the mountain I found it has the biggest magnetite deposit in Taiwan.But I am not sure.It sticks to neoindium magnets really well.

Close up:

Is it something else,or it is magnetite as I thought?

Hi there, welcome to PF :smile:the pictures are a little blurry so a little hard to tell.
since it came from a magnetite deposit, that would be the obvious answer and you are likely to find a variation of iron ore
types in such an area (Limonite and Haematite to name a couple) . There would be no real reason to suspect it to be anything else .

What makes you think that it would be something else ?

Dave
 
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davenn said:
Hi there, welcome to PF :smile:the pictures are a little blurry so a little hard to tell.
since it came from a magnetite deposit, that would be the obvious answer and you are likely to find a variation of iron ore
types in such an area (Limonite and Haematite to name a couple) . There would be no real reason to suspect it to be anything else .

What makes you think that it would be something else ?

Dave
I found traces of red dots that looks the red iron oxide on the rock. Maybe it’s just some other things come with the rock.
 
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Young physicist said:
I found traces of red dots that looks the red iron oxide on the rock. Maybe it’s just some other things come with the rock.
That would be very typical :smile:
 
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davenn said:
That would be very typical :smile:
Thanks!:biggrin:
 
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