|
Post by krazydiamond on Aug 13, 2006 11:03:53 GMT -5
a friend from Arkansas sent me some crystals and oxalic acid to play with, after soaking in a bucket outside for a few days this is how they came out, wish i'd taken a "before" photo now as they were covered in brown rust. it was so much fun (not to mention easy) that i've started another piece to soaking. thanks for looking! KD
|
|
|
Post by Bikerrandy on Aug 13, 2006 11:44:31 GMT -5
It's great to see something different, those are beautiful darlin!
|
|
|
Post by pho on Aug 13, 2006 14:13:43 GMT -5
KD...you can get a basket full of crystals from Coleman's Rock Shop for only $60 plus shipping. So far, I have bought 5 baskets from them and am always pleased with what I got. There are crystals of all sizes.....some very nice ones and some not so nice. These are what they call "mine runs" which means they will be very dirty and packed with clay. Their ads claim you will get 80% quartz and 20%dirt/clay. We have gotten some very big clusters out of some of our baskets. Lots of small points. Check out their on line store at WWW.jimcoleman.comPho
|
|
|
Post by stoner on Aug 13, 2006 14:25:00 GMT -5
Those are really cool looking KD.
Uh, Pho, I tried your link and it's great if you're interested in buying a car!
|
|
|
Post by pho on Aug 13, 2006 15:45:23 GMT -5
huh? let me see if I have a different link...
|
|
|
Post by pho on Aug 13, 2006 15:46:55 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by stoner on Aug 13, 2006 16:01:22 GMT -5
Thanks Pho, that one works.
|
|
Terry664
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2005
Posts: 1,146
|
Post by Terry664 on Aug 13, 2006 18:01:56 GMT -5
Beautiful KD. I have a few pieces that have a lot of druzy and very small crystals, do you think the oxalic acid will work on them, and where do you get it, never used it before, is it the same as Muratic Acid? Terry
|
|
|
Post by rocklicker on Aug 13, 2006 18:05:39 GMT -5
Very pretty! I love quartz crystals. They go with everything, like potatoes! It's nice to hear about what happens before they become sparkly little clear crystals. Steve
|
|
|
Post by krazydiamond on Aug 13, 2006 18:37:52 GMT -5
Terry, here is the link i was given: www.rockhoundingar.com/quartz/cleaning.htmland the guy sent me the oxalic acid powder so i don't know where i'd try and find it locally...but it sure is fun to do. well, if you like rock tumbling, you'd like this too, i guess. muratic acid may be a bit strong? don't know. they use that to clean brick and other architectural stone, so maybe.... KD
|
|
|
Post by ladyt on Aug 13, 2006 18:41:39 GMT -5
Oxalic acid can be purchased at Lowes or maybe Home depot in the paint department. That's where I got mine. Good luck with the crystals, they are very cool. Tonja
|
|
|
Post by pho on Aug 13, 2006 20:23:01 GMT -5
If you just can not find any oxalic acid anywhere and only need a pound or two I can help out. PM me if you need some. There are several ways to use this acid. Most popular is to put the acid and water in a 5 gallon bucket, put in the crystals and cover it with a black plastic bag. Be sure to set it up off the ground...as the ground will absorb the heat. I sit mine on my shop deck. I also use a slow cooker for stuff that I need real quick. One thing to remember...always clean the crystal as much as possible before putting it in the acid. Get as much clay and dirt out of the little places as you can. It will make the cleaning job much easier. Wash the crystals in clean water, let them sit in the sun a day or so and wash it again. Repeat this step as much as needed. Then once the crystal is as clean as you can get it..put it in the acid. They may need to stay anywhere from one day to a week....all depends on how bad it was to start with. I also use dental picks to get into the little holes to clean them out. Hope this helps.
Pho
|
|
|
Post by Cher on Aug 14, 2006 2:28:54 GMT -5
Wow KD those are just cool looking, it does look like fun.
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
|
Post by stefan on Aug 14, 2006 12:45:59 GMT -5
Ummm KD ever hear of a place called HERKIMER? ? Might want to try going there and collecting some!!!! LMAO (KD lives about 10 mins. from the Herkimer Diamond mines--- and she has never gone there!!!!!!)
|
|
|
Post by krazydiamond on Aug 14, 2006 14:14:52 GMT -5
well, i didn't realize how much fun these things were until just recently.....haha. Herkimer Diamond mine is on my list NOW. KD
|
|
|
Post by Cher on Aug 14, 2006 19:02:12 GMT -5
You live 10 minutes from there and have never gone? Awww man!!
|
|