Is this what I think it is..?

[SaraAdam]

Hey reader,I hope you’re having a great day!!!
Just wanted some help from anyone who has more experience with rough stones than I do.(I have none!)
This isn’t my stone it’s a relative’s who has had it for years but from some google photos I’ve been looking at I think it could be a black diamond or black star sapphire??? but then I am probably being super wishful.The stone is heavier than it looks and quite shiny(more than the photo shows) with many straight indents/cuts.Im sorry if the photos are abysmal the lighting wasn’t working in my favour..

But does anyone have any clues?

Thanks in advance!

 

[arkieb1]

That really could be any number of things.

 

[bmfang]

If you really want to know what it is, make contact with a gemologist.

 

[Bron357]

I think it’s obsidian which is volcanic glass. It’s unlikely to be either diamond or sapphire.
Obviously a gemologist is the expert to see but a jeweller or pawn broker with a thermal gem tester can at least ID sapphire and diamond from other materials. Diamonds and sapphire have distinctive high thermal signatures.
It mightnt say exactly what it is but it can say what it isn’t.

 

[SaraAdam]

Thank you so much

Where would I be able to find a gemologist besides commercial labrotories and do you have any idea if they charge a lot for that?
I want to take it in to someone but not sure who would be best in London who doesn’t charge extortionate amounts especially if it really is likely to be nothing worthwhile.

I’ve had a look as some photos of obsidian and compared them and side by side It doesn’t look like like that at all close up.Very different profiles.

The reason we even thought there is slim chance of black diamond besides online photos is because it is very very hard and quite heavy but glistens a lot even thought it is completely opaque.It also has a lot of brown crystalline formations on it which are translucent and a then a tiny little colourless/white looking crystal embedded within it.Can white/brown diamonds be found embedded in black diamond by any chance? Considering they are found at different depths? Again probably a bit wishful but hey.

I should add that the person who originally received it was given it from a region/country which produces many gemstones but is very under-explored.The general region is not known for diamonds but so little by way of mining has been done thus far that they are constantly discovering new gemstones hence the slight hope.

I think it’s obsidian which is volcanic glass. It’s unlikely to be either diamond or sapphire.
Obviously a gemologist is the expert to see but a jeweller or pawn broker with a thermal gem tester can at least ID sapphire and diamond from other materials. Diamonds and sapphire have distinctive high thermal signatures.
It mightnt say exactly what it is but it can say what it isn’t.

.

 

[arkieb1]

Phone somewhere like the Natural History Museum and ask what days they have a good geologist there. My mother in law and sister in law would identify it in 2 seconds, but I'd need to see it and compare it to other rocks. Otherwise google places in or close to London that either sell geological specimens or lapidary clubs etc. Someone in one of those should be able to identify it free for you.

 

[Karl_K]

No way its diamond...
here is a hint....

 

[SaraAdam]

No way its diamond...
here is a hint....

I’d actually be fully accepting of that the thing is it doesn’t have the same surface patterns or characteristics as this at all what I have is a lot more rock like rather than the glassy texture of volcanic glass and it is very very hard.Plus the area of origin doesn’t have any volcanoes buy ofcourse I can’t 100% day it wasn’t moved from elsewhere.Whilst I’m open to anything I’d sooner believe it’s just a rough black rock than volcanic glass from what I’ve researched but thanks for the input anyway.All input is welcome.

 

[SaraAdam]

Phone somewhere like the Natural History Museum and ask what days they have a good geologist there. My mother in law and sister in law would identify it in 2 seconds, but I'd need to see it and compare it to other rocks. Otherwise google places in or close to London that either sell geological specimens or lapidary clubs etc. Someone in one of those should be able to identify it free for you.

That’s great advice thanks! I’ve been looking online for some gemological or mineral clubs but nothing clear on how to get this stuff to them.I didn’t know Lapidary clubs were a thing so will look int to that also.I have found a gem specialist/jeweller in the Hatton Cross area and considering going over as it’s by appointment only I’ve sent them an inquiry and awaiting a response so I hope they do offer a walk in service since they are in the business of buying this sort of stuff.

Thanks again for the thoughtful response!

 

[whitewave]

It looks like lamporite. Volcanic turf. (I believe lamportie is wrong... and my brain isn’t working today). Lava rock.

 

[whitewave]

Or maybe granite

 

[SaraAdam]

Thanks whitewave.I’ll have a look into those.
It also doesn’t look too dissimilar to anthracite (stone coal) but this specimen is very heavy and I don’t see it burning as fuel but can’t say for sure.