paleonet Pennsylvanian mini-balls (update)

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Greetings 

There have been 4 replies (all posted on the web site) Hopefully over
the next few days someone will ID this and supply some documentation.

I updated the comments on the main web page.

     These Iron? "Mini balls" have the capability of being attracted
by a magnet.  As I hold and look at these "mini balls," they have
the look and feel of steel ball bearings!  Almost perfectly smooth,
heavy in the hand, and shiny.  Let me also add this ... rust only
appears on the exposed areas.  The color is "steel blue." 
    This appears to be an alloy (not pure iron).  It is my understanding 
that there are only 3 elements that are attracted by a magnet.  Those 
are Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt.  Again, the color is a "steel blue" where
there is no rust.  The balls have the weight consistent to the weight
of steel ball bearings of the same size.  The surface is also as smooth
as a ball bearing.
    I am sure that this is "not" something new!  However, if the viewer
knows what they are and or has comments ... Please reply.

For those that have not seen the specimens

http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/paleoviewer2/page16.html

Barry Sutton