delo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 134
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Post by delo on May 19, 2014 15:53:29 GMT -5
That is the question I have for you all. Went with Mateo a couple weeks ago and collected nodules with dog tooth calcite crystals. My question is, has anyone had any experience cleaning calcite crystals? Do they clean up at all or should I just leave them be? I think they look cool as they are, but curious if the yellow stains can come off... thanks for looking!
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Post by jakesrocks on May 19, 2014 16:06:15 GMT -5
You could try soaking them overnight in a mild bleach water solution, then use a strong stream of water to clean the loose crud out. One of those dental water pics that hooks up to a faucet works good. It's doubtful if you'll get all of the yellow iron stains off. but it'll get any crud packed around the crystals out.
Anything stronger than a weak bleach solution may ruin calcite crystals.
If you have any of the metal dental picks around. you can use them to clean between the crystals, but be careful. Stainless steal is much harder than calcite. A sewing needle held in a pin vice will help too.
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Post by mohs on May 19, 2014 16:52:18 GMT -5
really neat find ! did you dig for that? thansks ed
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,688
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Post by Fossilman on May 19, 2014 20:26:45 GMT -5
Crazy cool! Clean it up like Don said,than just leave it as is...
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delo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 134
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Post by delo on May 20, 2014 1:50:41 GMT -5
Thank you Don for the info! I will give the bath and dental pick a try
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Post by snowmom on May 22, 2014 6:05:37 GMT -5
I lol, advice to use dental picks and that thing looks like it has fangs! what a really neat piece that is!
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Post by deb193redux on May 22, 2014 10:18:29 GMT -5
Most solutions will take some of the edge off of calcite crystals. I have heard that shorter soaking in sodium dithionite in a buffered carbonate solution might work better. Any acid will etch the calcite. Slight etching may be OK if you are not selling in high-end collectors market. Something called the Waller Solution uses this ingredient. I had a PDF of the article about 14 year ago, but can't find it now. It is described by Betts here: www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com/jhbnyc/articles/minclean.htmand mentioned on rocknet here: www.rockhounds.com/rocknet/archive/messages/20128.shtmlThe chemical equivalent of sodium dithionite is supposed to be in Super Iron Out (among other ingredients), but the pH of SIO is more acidic, so only short soaking times would be recommended.
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 22, 2014 15:10:49 GMT -5
We are having some strong thunderstorms and I keep losing DSL. However I believe your question has been covered quite well. Hope it all works out for you. Thanks for posting your excellent specimen.
Also want to thank debt193redux for the links and information. A lot of excellent information. I bookmarked them for later study. Not familiar with sodium dithionite but will have to research it. Sounds promising....... Ivan
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Post by jakesrocks on May 22, 2014 15:41:29 GMT -5
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delo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 134
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Post by delo on May 23, 2014 10:56:15 GMT -5
This forum is like a fountain of knowledge! Thank you deb193 for the links, and thank you Don for the MSDS. I'll read though the links and give it a go! I gave the crystals the mild bleach solution bath as per Don's suggestion and was able to get rid of a lot of crud and it seemed to remove some stain. There is still some yellowing and a little black coating on some, so I'll look into the stronger stuff as as well. Thank you again for all the help
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Post by jakesrocks on May 23, 2014 12:56:02 GMT -5
It may take more than one soaking in the bleach solution to remove the majority of the staining. Try a second, and if needed a third soaking. Let them soak overnight. After soaking and rinsing, let them soak for a couple hours in plain water to remove all traces of bleach. Badly stained crystals of any type take patience to clean. (LOTS OF PATIENCE).
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delo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 134
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Post by delo on May 23, 2014 14:22:15 GMT -5
Sigh, you're totally right Don I'm going to start another soak right now!
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