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

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