Iron Pyrite or Gold.

[georgeg]

I was followig a stream in the hills, when this caught my eye.. its probably iron pyrite.. but do you think it might be gold, i'll show a few photos, and see what you think..

[aitch]

I have not a clue George but it looks interesting

[Fifi]

Don't know but sure is purdy.

[sheltie]

don't know what it is but john's father was told (around the 1940's) by expert that there was a gold vein opposite our house fiona

[maree]

What a great find george........looks like iron ore from the ootside.......is it VERY heavy? Perhaps allen f could help you oot?

[allen]

Interesting....... 99.9 times out of 100 it'll be iron pyrites.
However gold is associated with quartz veins and from the photo it seems shiny on the weathered surface - is this also the mineral in question or camera flash reflection??

I can't say for sure from the photo but iron pyrites forms small cubes - gold will be in the form of flakes or irregular shapes -
see google images below and geology.com/minerals/gold.shtml

I'll be at the Braewick Cafe today at 11 am for a meeting with a proper geologist if you would like us to have a look

This could be the start of the Northmavine Klondyke Maree!!!

[heimdal]

There's gold in them thar hills ;D
Got me pack mule ready and horse all saddled up, ready to stake my claim ;D
Got me six gun shooter all primed an' ready to go ;D

If you don't believe me, just step aside,
a lot o' men didn't, a lot o' men died


You can see I watched a lot of old westerns at the 'North Star' ;D ;D


Seriously, this could be very interesting.

[benjiesmum]

Oh!!! The Shetland Gold Rush! Is this a ploy to get more tourists for the summer! ;D ;D ;D ;D Those rocks do look interesting. Wow!

[allen]

I’ve had a look at George’s rock – unfortunately the pack mule will have to go back to the stable and the gold pan back under the bed!

The shiny flecks on the rock are small flat ‘books’ of muscovite mica – these are highly reflective and look gold colour at certain angles because they are reflecting the brown/yellow iron staining on the rest of the rock.

There is gold in some of Shetland’s rocks and this finds it’s way into burns – but not in enough quantities to be economic.

[georgeg]

Haloo all.
Allan what you told me was far from disappointment.. I did'nt really think it was gold, next time i'm going into the hills i'll take a frying pan wae me. ;D, It was really a very good day for me, as, when i was going to meet Allan i spotted an otter in Garths Voe, it came out o the sea, passed an Oystercatcher, then made its way to an underpass near the sullom voe Brae junction, later I saw my first R.T.Diver just past the Braewick cafe, then some Snow Buntings near the eshaness lighthouse.. unfortunatly they kept their backs to me when i was taking their pictures.. so all in all. it was a great day..

[maree]

Oh weel, looks like it's no da start o da Klondyke, but I'm glad you had a great day george. It was also great that you met up wi allen for an expert opinion