Do you ever find treasure underground?

[pwhole]

Here's an interesting one - I think it's calcite, but in an unusual fibrous crystal form I've not seen before, and it's quite heavy - about 80mm across. It has some sort of tuff/clay attached, but also small amounts of a copper-coloured metallic mineral, which I suspect to be pyrite, but unsure - I'm no mineral expert, but I like it. Anyone have any ideas? It's from the Peak District, so reasonably confident it's not asbestos

 

[AR]

I suspect it might be selenite rather than calcite Phil, given its association with tuff and pyrite

 

[ZombieCake]

WItch marks. Suppose it really depends on what you mean by treasure.

 

[shotlighter]

Looks like the stuff from Dirtlow Rake that I have in the rockery. (salvage from the muck heaps when it was "landscaped). I'd put its weight & pinkish hue down to barite. Some of the cobbles I have are massive rather than crystalline & quite heavy (and pink).
My knowledge of geology is only what I gleaned from books though!

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Mines rather than cave... but off the beaten track you just might find a decaying wooden box with some sticks of "treasure". I don't take pics and walk back away very gently. Sometimes there are things *not* to find if you go looking, although I wouldn't share details with someone asking that question

 

[pwhole]

Hahah, I found one of those too, but I'll not post photos of that

Selenite for the above sounds an interesting possibility actually - it was found in everyone's favourite controversial mine, and there's plenty of tuff and toadstone in there. And speaking of pink baryte, this is my other fave - also remarkably found in Speedwell, though I've never seen another piece like it in there, and have no idea why not, given it's a decent chunk. There seems to be at least two major forms in this - pink fibrous, almost 'meaty' matrix, with yellow bladed crystals scattered throughout. Then there are less common clear crystals, probably something else (anglesite?) and even less common tiny dark metallic crystals.

 

[RobinGriffiths]

Almost looks edible that.

 

[Long Drop]

Rhubarb crumble... Just needs some custard!

 

[Martin Laverty]

Here's an interesting one - I think it's calcite, but in an unusual fibrous crystal form I've not seen before, and it's quite heavy - about 80mm across. It has some sort of tuff/clay attached, but also small amounts of a copper-coloured metallic mineral, which I suspect to be pyrite, but unsure - I'm no mineral expert, but I like it. Anyone have any ideas? It's from the Peak District, so reasonably confident it's not asbestos

View attachment 15616

View attachment 15618

View attachment 15619

If it is calcite, it is the fibrous form found in veins and known as 'beef'.
Here's a reference with a similar photo in Figure 4: https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-02922274/file/ravier-2020.pdf

 

[pwhole]

That does look very similar, I must admit, and had heard pf the term 'beef'. Now I'm reminded there may be some in Moss Rake of similar form. Thanks for the link

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Almost looks edible that.

It is, that's no rock.. he's just rolled a huge glob of bubblegum over some cornflakes and think he's fooling us

 

[wormster]

Most precious thing I have found underground is inner peace, that's priceless 😜

 

[AR]

That does look very similar, I must admit, and had heard pf the term 'beef'. Now I'm reminded there may be some in Moss Rake of similar form. Thanks for the link

It's occurred to me that aragonite is another possibility, since that tends to form columnar crystals - somewhere I've got a piece I found in Middleton Mine several years back that looks a bit similar. I've also seen bits of pink/yellow barytes not unlike the Speedwell one on Dirtlow Rake, the black crystals may be sphalerite but not so sure about the clear ones. I wouldn't rule out anglesite but it's very soluble so doesn't tend to be found in damp environments

Mines rather than cave... but off the beaten track you just might find a decaying wooden box with some sticks of "treasure". I don't take pics and walk back away very gently. Sometimes there are things *not* to find if you go looking, although I wouldn't share details with someone asking that question

Some years ago I went into a mine that hadn't been entered for several years, but had once been the site of an active dig by a well-known and now deceased local caver. I found a red-painted ammo box, and on carefully opening the lid, I was greeted with the sight of some newspaper-wrapped cylinders that gave off a strong smell of almonds. I closed the lid with a great deal more care, needless to say...

 

[andybrooks]

There was/is quite a bit of unexploded ordnance in caves and pots around El Mazucu, Asturias - site of a major battle in the Spanish Civil War.

 

[Boy Engineer]

At the risk of provoking a gag reflex in some, the best treasure I’ve found underground has been some enduring friendships. Far more valuable than ‘stuff’. Thank you to all those (on here and elsewhere) who have enriched my life with their company and insights. Here’s to more fun.

 

[cavemanmike]

Re re re reflex 😂😂

 

[mikem]

"The reflex is a lonely child, who's waiting by the park
The reflex is in charge of finding treasure in the dark"

 

[The Old Ruminator]

Todays " treasure ".

 

[The Old Ruminator]

From Reigate Caves. This bottle would be £1,000 plus in todays market.

 

[The Old Ruminator]

This Reigate bottle made £8,500.