Mystery Metallic Mineral Specimen Rare Magnesium Dendrite Silica Carbide 34g H1
Mystery Metallic Mineral Specimen Rare Magnesium Dendrite Silica Carbide 31-34g
Rare Unidentified Metallic Mineral Specimen, 45 x 25 x 15mm, 31–34g, Provenance Collection
This extraordinary piece has been the subject of ongoing debate among gemmologists — and remains genuinely, fascinatingly unresolved. If you love a mystery with remarkable provenance, this is the piece for you.
The Debate: Multiple qualified gem professionals have examined this specimen and reached different conclusions. Suggestions have included manmade zincite, zinc from a smelter, actinolite, tremolite, black kyanite, crystallised stibnite and silicon carbide. Google Lens drew a blank. It is dull metallic grey, carries a notably heavy specific gravity similar to iron — yet is completely non-magnetic.
The Most Compelling Theory: Lesley's father — who operated Minex, one of the largest mineral businesses in Australia, with factories around the world and attended the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show annually — believed this to be man-made silicon carbide. He personally visited the factory where silicon carbide was produced, harnessing the power of Niagara Falls. The material was primarily used to create synthetic rubies and ground into polishing grits for laps. He was given these samples directly from the factory floor.
However — this specimen lacks the iridescence typically associated with silicon carbide, leading to the current leading theory of Magnesium Metal Dendrite or sublimed magnesium — a rare and remarkable industrial mineral formation.
The true identity remains open. We would genuinely love to hear your thoughts.
Details:
- Size: 45 x 25 x 15mm
- Weight: 31–34g
- Colour: Dull metallic grey with subtle surface variation
- Magnetic: No
- Classification: Unconfirmed — sold as a specimen of curiosity and provenance
This piece is offered as a unique collector's specimen. Identification cannot be guaranteed and any sale is offered on this basis as general information only.
This gem (and some others we have listed) has been an endless source of discussion from gemmologists trying to work out what it is
I have asked a few gem friends and they have come back with the following suggestions, unfortunately none of them think the same thing: Dull metallic grey,mostly likely manmade zincite / zinc from smelter / actinolite / tremolite /black kyanite 
My dad said it is man made silica carbide. Apparently it's made in a factory harnessing the energy from niagara Falls. It makes man made Ruby but he said they mostly ground it up into grits for polishing laps. He visited the factory and they gave him these samples
However on further investigations it lacks the irridescent colour usually associated with silica carbide, so I am thinking Magnesium Dentrite or industry made sublimed magnesium / Magnesium Metal Dendrite Cluster / Rare Magnesium Ore Cluster Mineral
The true identity is still up for debate but an incredibly unique piece
- SIZE: 45x25x15mm
- WEIGHT: 31-34gms
Mystery Metallic Mineral Specimen Rare Magnesium Dendrite Silica Carbide 31-34g
Rare Unidentified Metallic Mineral Specimen, 45 x 25 x 15mm, 31–34g, Provenance Collection
This extraordinary piece has been the subject of ongoing debate among gemmologists — and remains genuinely, fascinatingly unresolved. If you love a mystery with remarkable provenance, this is the piece for you.
The Debate: Multiple qualified gem professionals have examined this specimen and reached different conclusions. Suggestions have included manmade zincite, zinc from a smelter, actinolite, tremolite, black kyanite, crystallised stibnite and silicon carbide. Google Lens drew a blank. It is dull metallic grey, carries a notably heavy specific gravity similar to iron — yet is completely non-magnetic.
The Most Compelling Theory: Lesley's father — who operated Minex, one of the largest mineral businesses in Australia, with factories around the world and attended the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show annually — believed this to be man-made silicon carbide. He personally visited the factory where silicon carbide was produced, harnessing the power of Niagara Falls. The material was primarily used to create synthetic rubies and ground into polishing grits for laps. He was given these samples directly from the factory floor.
However — this specimen lacks the iridescence typically associated with silicon carbide, leading to the current leading theory of Magnesium Metal Dendrite or sublimed magnesium — a rare and remarkable industrial mineral formation.
The true identity remains open. We would genuinely love to hear your thoughts.
Details:
- Size: 45 x 25 x 15mm
- Weight: 31–34g
- Colour: Dull metallic grey with subtle surface variation
- Magnetic: No
- Classification: Unconfirmed — sold as a specimen of curiosity and provenance
This piece is offered as a unique collector's specimen. Identification cannot be guaranteed and any sale is offered on this basis as general information only.
This gem (and some others we have listed) has been an endless source of discussion from gemmologists trying to work out what it is
I have asked a few gem friends and they have come back with the following suggestions, unfortunately none of them think the same thing: Dull metallic grey,mostly likely manmade zincite / zinc from smelter / actinolite / tremolite /black kyanite
My dad said it is man made silica carbide. Apparently it's made in a factory harnessing the energy from niagara Falls. It makes man made Ruby but he said they mostly ground it up into grits for polishing laps. He visited the factory and they gave him these samples
However on further investigations it lacks the irridescent colour usually associated with silica carbide, so I am thinking Magnesium Dentrite or industry made sublimed magnesium / Magnesium Metal Dendrite Cluster / Rare Magnesium Ore Cluster Mineral
The true identity is still up for debate but an incredibly unique piece
- SIZE: 45x25x15mm
- WEIGHT: 31-34gms