[Rockhounds] dolomite/Fe-dolomite/ankerite ??

[Dennis Buffenmyer]

Ok,
Here's my next "stupid" question... Is there a non-lab process for 
determining the differance between dolomite, Ferroan Dolomite, and 
ankerite?? Other than the historical ID of a mineral I would think it 
might be difficult. On the basis of rock type found in, I would say this 
is a very thin vein of crystallized "?" in a triassic age red bed shale 
apparently influenced or altered by a triassic age diabase. Also at what 
point does ferroan dolomite become simply dolomite or ankerite. I am not 
in dispute with any historical ID but would like to know the answer that 
has been posed by my never ending inquisition.

Dennis Buffenmyer