My mother gave me a rock yesterday. She said dad found it while plowing in South Dakota more than 50 years ago. It was so unusual, he took it somewhere and was told it was a meteorite. They have lugged it around with them through many moves all these years. I showed it on my Rockhound site and found it is NOT a meteorite. It was fascinating to learn about it. It is most likely Glacial Errata--a rock left in the area, carried there by glacial movement. I knew there were Rockhounds, but I had no idea there were so many folks passionate about meteorites!
This photo shows its plain side, always turned up in the flower bed. The other side appears to be crystals. When I get it cleaned up, I'll show a picture of the crystal side. I'm wondering why my folks didn't display it in the flower bed with the crystals up, instead of the plain side? Perhaps that was a good thing, as the crystals are in good condition and didn't become more weathered. I wish I had known to ask my dad about it, but I was a kid and probably had no clue what was going on around me.
I believe washing it with oxalic acid is the best way to clean it.
This photo shows its plain side, always turned up in the flower bed. The other side appears to be crystals. When I get it cleaned up, I'll show a picture of the crystal side. I'm wondering why my folks didn't display it in the flower bed with the crystals up, instead of the plain side? Perhaps that was a good thing, as the crystals are in good condition and didn't become more weathered. I wish I had known to ask my dad about it, but I was a kid and probably had no clue what was going on around me.
I believe washing it with oxalic acid is the best way to clean it.
