I've said it before and I'll say it again, the black minerals
drive me crazy! They can be so hard to tell apart, because
they're all black, and then there can be different "mixtures".
You really have to force yourself to knuckle down and read
up on their characteristics,... or I do.

Streak black rules out Hematite and Rutile.
But could mean we are looking at Ilmenite or Magnetite.

So, are they magnetic?
Magnetite will be strongly magnetic. Ilmenite if very weakly
magnetic. Best way to test for weak magnetism is set the
rock on a table and slowly pass a compass past it and see
if the needle jumps at all.

You sure all those pieces are the same black stuff?

Joe

The specimens look like graphite.  Check the hardness.  Graphite is very soft and can be scratched with your fingernail.  Plus, it will leave a dark powdery residue on your hands.  The more carbon in graphite specimens, the more metallic they look.

Here is a piece of Wake Co., NC graphite that I collected last year in Raleigh that is about equal parts graphite (carbon) and mica schist.

Dennis

So I bought a compass and when I pass the stones by it it pushes the needle away. As you can tell I do not know what I am doing considering I was judging magnetism by a magnet lol.

That would explain alot..I did some research and where I found them was close to an old magnese mine..Come to find out there were alot of those around where I live as well as other mines with gems according to what the net says.

I love it..Best way to learn is ask questions and research...I never knew nor did my husband that grew up here his whole life that there were mines and prospects around.