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Post by tkrueger3 on Oct 24, 2010 20:51:42 GMT -5
The question is - do I want to try to slice this, or not? And if not, should I try to clean up the druzy, or is that its natural color? And if I should clean it, what should I use beyond soap, water, and a brush? I found this in the inherited rock pile, and it kinda startled me - there's nothing else like it in the pile, as far as I can tell. The druzy face The back side, opposite the druzy face A couple of side shots Up close of the druzy and the "red/pink stuff" that's mixed in Well, WWMD? (What Would Mel Do?) ;D All opinions are most welcome - this is a new dilemma for me! Thanks, Tom
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brent
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2008
Posts: 1,316
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Post by brent on Oct 24, 2010 21:32:29 GMT -5
Compromise, take a slice off the side and then you can stand it up for display.
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 24, 2010 21:49:19 GMT -5
A soak for a few days in oxalic acid, or swimming pool acid should clean it right up. Put it in a bucket of cold water for a couple days to neutralize the acid afterwords.
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Post by superioragates on Oct 24, 2010 22:32:59 GMT -5
thats a wild lookin rock!! very cool!!
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Post by tkrueger3 on Oct 24, 2010 23:08:01 GMT -5
Marie - it's even wilder in person!
Jakesrocks - so you think the acid won't do anything like change the reds to some other color, or do other nasties to it? I'll get some tomorrow and give it a try.
Thanks,
Tom
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Post by Woodyrock on Oct 25, 2010 0:24:12 GMT -5
Tom: There are some rocks you can never cut, although I have cut a wee flat so they display better, and I may get a cab. Woody
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Oct 25, 2010 0:31:49 GMT -5
I would slice a thin slab then face polish the remainder as a specimen. Then you have one nice slab and a beautiful specimen.
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Post by lonetreestudios on Oct 25, 2010 9:08:36 GMT -5
Quick question regarding the suggestion about soaking in "swimming pool" acid...hopefully this is not too off topic. Swimming pool acid is muriatic acid which is hydrochloric acid, and it is some nasty stuff (just spill some on your concrete driveway and see what happens). I know it will dissolve Ca (calcium) based materials, and I believe Fe (iron) as well. Heck, they even inject it into oil wells to dissolve the parent rock and increase oil production. I guess my point is, maybe I am too ignorant to know what the rock in question is, but do you really want to soak it in this stuff? I am definitely new here, so if I am way off base and this is common procedure, please let me know. Just didn't want to see a nice specimen possibly ruined.
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 25, 2010 10:09:53 GMT -5
Lonetree, an acid soak is common procedure for most quartz based specimens. I say "most" because some quartz specimens may have crystals of another mineral attached to them, which may be harmed by acid. On a piece such as what Tom has, the object is to clean off calcium based coatings and iron staining. It won't harm the quartz, and shouldn't change the color of the specimen. Acid should always be handled carefully. Use rubber gloves rated for chemicals, A full face shield, and good ventilation. Work up wind of it, and avoid breathing the fumes. Keep a fresh box of baking soda handy, as baking soda will quickly neutralize acid if it is splashed on you or something you don't want damaged. And of course, keep children and pets away from it. There are probably other safety precautions that others may want to add to this. Don
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Post by tandl on Oct 25, 2010 10:20:32 GMT -5
That is a wild ,interesting piece .
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Post by tkrueger3 on Oct 25, 2010 10:24:07 GMT -5
Yep, having had a pool at one time, I'm familiar with muriatic acid and its effects on things, especially living things (like me!). I do tend to learn most things the hard way. ;D
I'm thinking maybe I'll first try a dilution of muriatic and just test a drop or two on the different materials in the rock, before I take the full-on acid plunge.
Thanks,
Tom
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Oct 25, 2010 12:38:53 GMT -5
Oxalic is much safer to work with. It works quicker when it is hot, but the fumes are worse. If the red/pink is iron oxide (rust), it will be removed by the acid. I used to remove rust from beer cans with it when I was a kid. It will dry your skin out if you get it on your hands.
It's also sold in hardware stores as "wood bleach".
Chuck
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Post by tkrueger3 on Oct 25, 2010 13:21:42 GMT -5
Good idea, Chuck - thanks!
Tom
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Post by texaswoodie on Oct 25, 2010 17:15:20 GMT -5
OK, I'm always wrong and then Mel comes along and says so, but I'm thinking that is stromatolite. Nice specimen Tom.
Before the acid treatment always soak the rock in water for a day. If you don't the acid will get into the minute cracks and pores and it will never come out.
Curt
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 25, 2010 21:20:21 GMT -5
Thanks for that info Curt, we plan to clean up some crystals soon. I'm going to use an old crock pot base on low heat with a glass container on top, and do it outside so we don't breathe the fumes.
Lee
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Post by rockmanken on Oct 26, 2010 6:31:04 GMT -5
I have soaked my crystals from Ark. and SC in Super Iron Out (from Wally World). It is much safer. It is used to get stains out of clothes. Put it in for a couple days, thn put it in water and baking soda for the same amount of time to neutralize it. soak for a few hours in water before you put it in the SIO. Ken
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dewaynecarter
starting to shine!
Member since September 2010
Posts: 47
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Post by dewaynecarter on Oct 26, 2010 6:46:18 GMT -5
lots of good info in these posts. Thanks alot, i have lots of dirty quartz
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,352
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Post by quartz on Oct 26, 2010 9:26:27 GMT -5
We have found a couple pieces near the same configuration as your very nice one. I've smoothed and polished the broken area around the druze without touching it, and made a little stand to hold them up for display, rather than cutting a flat. Tedious process, but worth the effort.
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Post by tkrueger3 on Oct 26, 2010 11:28:37 GMT -5
These all sound like good, sensible suggestions to me - hopefully, I can incorporate all of them, and not ruin the specimen in the process!
Tom
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 26, 2010 11:37:50 GMT -5
Tom, another option would be soda blasting. If you have an air compressor, you can find plans for an inexpensive soda blaster in the home made equipment section. Soda blasting will clean quartz minerals to the point where they look like they were polished.
Don
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