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Post by Michael John on Jun 29, 2007 4:57:40 GMT -5
Does anyone know an easy way to remove the black tarnish from Rhodonite? Other than tumbling or cutting...
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Post by Michael John on Jun 30, 2007 10:44:27 GMT -5
I hope it's not condsidered rude to BUMP here, my appologies if it is.
I've got over 27 pounds of Rhodonite here, and it's all covered with a LOT of the nasty black tarnish. When I handle it, the tarnish gets all over my hands and it's a real mess. Water and scrubbing doesn't get it off the rocks.
Anyone? Any ideas?
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Post by Michael John on Jun 30, 2007 20:25:21 GMT -5
Okay, I found-out that the "tarnish" is pyrolusite. I haven't yet been able to discover what will dissolve it. I tried salt water, no luck, and tried bleach, no luck.
Anyone with some chemistry knowledge, your help would be greatly appreciated. I tried Google for about a half-hour with no luck.
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Post by cpdad on Jun 30, 2007 21:01:30 GMT -5
didnt find much....but did find a site that said Rhodonite is insoluble in acids....if pyrolusite is soluble....just chunk it in some acid ;D.....the site that said Rhodonite is insoluble is www.exornocreations.com/html/page%20Q-R.htm#rhodonite ...not sure this helps at all.....but since it looked like you were talking to yourself....figured i would put something out here ;D...kev.
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Post by Michael John on Jun 30, 2007 22:08:27 GMT -5
Yeah, I read some stuff about various lab tests and acid. Good old Timothy Leary! The prob is that there are a lot of different acids, and I have no idea which one would dissolve the pyrolusite. Even if I did, I'm not so sure that I'd go to the length of using acid just to keep the stuff off of my hands. I was thinking it would be something simple like salt, bleach, vinegar, baking soda, lime, etc... I guess I'll just try a few more things, and if I find something that works, cool. If not, then I guess I'll just have to deal with it.
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Post by catmandewe on Jul 1, 2007 14:12:51 GMT -5
I would try a little chunk in some muriatic acid, they use it for cleaning mortar and stuff off of bricks/block. Use in a well ventilated area and rinse well after using.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 2, 2007 11:01:44 GMT -5
Howdy, My book says hydrochloric acid for manganese dioxide ( pyrolusite) warns that it generates poisonous chlorine gas though so don't do it in an enclosed space. It says rhodonite, being silicated is only slightly soluble so it should be doable with caution. If I'm not wrong, I think muriatic acid is hydrochloric acid. Man, these acids are in dangerous concentration though, so be very careful. One thought though. With my California rhodonite, when I slab it, the black exterior seems to be pretty deep ( 1/4 inch or more) . That seems too deep to use anything but a saw to remove it. Maybe the black is less deep in your material though..Mel
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Post by Michael John on Jul 2, 2007 13:10:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies!
Yeah, like I said, if I have to resort to acid, I'm gonna pass. The stuff is a niusance, since it gets on my hands every time I touch it, but it does wash right off.
It hasn't really penetrated into the stone. It's just a thin outside coating. However, it does prevent me from seeing "what's inside", so I can't select my cuts based on what I might otherwise see on the outside.
I selected several pieces from the box which are sized and shaped nicely for this saw. I'm going to cut some small slabs from them today, and I'll probably cut some pre-shapes, too. I'm also going to cut-up some more of my native rocks today.
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Sept 14, 2007 15:47:33 GMT -5
More and more I'm running slabetts or smaller chunks of just about anything I intend to cut cabs out of in a week or two of course cycle in the bigger (QT-6) barrel.
It tends to clean off softer matrix junk and reveal the nature of the stone without the same level of commitment you need when you take it to the saw, I find this helps me find the best way to slice it. maybe try a couple of pieces and monitor them so they don't start undercutting or anything.
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Post by easttnridgerunner on Oct 19, 2007 16:19:49 GMT -5
Try cooking oil or lard and a soft cloth. If your hands are getting it on them its connecting to the grease your body generates naturally hints to where police get finger prints. That is the only thing Ive been able to figure out. Hope it works for you. Easttnridgerunner
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 19, 2007 23:31:44 GMT -5
I believe since the patterns if any in rhodonite are so random you wouldn't know what is inside without cutting anyway. If the pieces are not too large you could tumble in 60/90 for a few days. I do that to get the rind off Montana agate to get a glimpse inside.
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Post by LCARS on Oct 20, 2007 1:30:53 GMT -5
Just carry a charged portable air cylinder with an air powered silicon carbide cut-off wheel. ;D I guess the clinker here is that the black weathering layer IS the material you're getting as deep as it goes into the stone. It IS a significant part of the stone through & through in most of the slabs I have seen. It's not like a metal oxide though that would only be a thin film on the outside that can be chemically removed with ease, it's a chemical process that was probably going on in the rock way before anyone was around to wonder how to get rid of it
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Post by Michael John on Oct 26, 2007 21:57:45 GMT -5
LMAO ... I forgot all about that Rhodonite. Most of it is still in the box out in my shed somewhere! Hmmm I have a 3 pound chunk of Russian Rhodonite around here, too ... somewhere.
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Post by sandsman1 on Oct 29, 2007 18:51:57 GMT -5
when ya wanna use a slab just take some light sand paper and hit the slab with it--- i find the stuff i have its mostly a surface coat from sitting and it will keep comming back till you polish it and you dont wanna take it all off that will kill the patterns i like how the black and pink dance
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Oct 30, 2007 11:59:07 GMT -5
A bit out there but woth a go- try Bactine (remember that stuff- spray it on brush burns and it supposed to make the hurt stop hurting- in reality all it did was make you scream even louder?) This should be especially good if you have already removed the tarnish- the bactine MAY stop it form coming back
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