kyoti
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2020
Posts: 542
|
Post by kyoti on Jun 10, 2020 7:21:50 GMT -5
I have several nice 2-5lbs calcite crystal specimens and smaller calcite rough I have been trying to clean up with limited success. Hoping somone here can give me tips. The crystals range from White to clear with defined points and formations. Here are the things I'ved tried so far. Soaking in water with a bit of dish detergent- did not remove the embedded algae and dirt. Some clouding occurred. Scrub with a toothbrush- even a stern glance would bruise these crystals. Soaking in oxyclean for 1 day. Slight brightening some algae and dirt removed. Hydrogen peroxide soak. Some cleaning occurred. Algae still stuck in a few cracks. Muratic acid dip on a scrap piece od crystal...mostly melted the surface crystals. Very clear shine but still debris was stuck in cracks. I also have some giant septarian specimens of similar softness. Tons of aragonite and calcite crystals on them. Is there any hope for my rocks? They are mostly the size of my hand or fore arm. Thanks in advance for any advice     |
|
kyoti
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2020
Posts: 542
|
Post by kyoti on Jun 22, 2020 8:25:20 GMT -5
I added some pictures so folks could see what I'm trying to clean up. I'd love to see them happy and sparkling like you see in specimen photos. The pictures above are pieces of the giant septarian I found. Here are a couple calcites.   |
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Jun 22, 2020 8:37:38 GMT -5
I am not a specimen collector, but we once had a presentation at our club from a specimen dealer about cleaning crystals.
The one thing I do remember him saying was to clean dirt, use laundry detergent. Dawn is good for grease. I would give them a really good soak in whatever laundry detergent you use. Like a couple of days soak and see if you can't get some of that out with your toothbrush after the soaking.
|
|
kyoti
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2020
Posts: 542
|
Post by kyoti on Jun 22, 2020 9:50:36 GMT -5
Thanks Hummingbird. I'll give it a try and report back. |
|
|
|
Post by pauls on Jun 22, 2020 16:16:46 GMT -5
Oxalic acid is supposed to be good for Calcite, apparently it doesn't dissolve it like other acids, I don't know about that, try it on a worthless piece first.
Mindat has a few threads about it, a lot of guess work though, recommending Hydrochloric (muriatic) acid, vinegar, nope don't do it.
|
|
kyoti
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2020
Posts: 542
|
Post by kyoti on Jun 23, 2020 8:32:31 GMT -5
Thanks Pauls. Ya I learned the hard way about vinegar when I first started finding calcite. Oops! I'll give the oxalic acid a try on some scrap rough. The calcite is so tender. Great looking crystal but a pain to clean so far. I read about using a fabric gun to clean crystals but I worry that calcite is too soft to use it on. |
|
herb
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 476
Member is Online
|
Post by herb on Jun 23, 2020 8:56:23 GMT -5
Thanks Pauls. Ya I learned the hard way about vinegar when I first started finding calcite. Oops! I'll give the oxalic acid a try on some scrap rough. The calcite is so tender. Great looking crystal but a pain to clean so far. I read about using a fabric gun to clean crystals but I worry that calcite is too soft to use it on. I dont know if they are all like that, but the fabric gun I have has an adjustment knob to control the force of the spray. I can turn it down to just a dribble or up to full force. I usually leave it a bit below full. That's enough to really sting when a finger gets in the way, but not enough to draw blood. I turn it down when cleaning geodes that look like they might be fragile. You can always start at a lower pressure and work your way up higher if needed. |
|
agatemaggot
Cave Dweller 
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
|
Post by agatemaggot on Jun 23, 2020 9:34:17 GMT -5
Has anyone tried an ultra-sonic cleaner on these ? I think it might work well and take very little time !
Tried a solution of 50 % diluted Sno Bowl toilet cleaner for 30 seconds on a Clam fossil and it removed all the lime buildup from the outside of the shell making it look like one you had just picked up off the beach ! Might not be something you would do with something rare or worth a lot but great for something the youngsters picked up to make it look better. Just rinse with cold running water.
|
|
|
|
Post by greig on Jun 23, 2020 20:09:29 GMT -5
Muriatic and vinegar will dissolve your calcite crystals. If the dirt/stain is algae, then the simple answer is deck wash. Bleach might work, but the deck wash for cleaning wooden decks will almost be instant. Wash up if you get splashed and don't discard onto plants that you like. A fabric gun works well, but if you have time/patience - the quill from cactus on a rock that has been soaked in soap/water usually cleans out crevices like a charm.
|
|
|
|
Post by rmf on Jun 24, 2020 4:23:49 GMT -5
Oxalic acid is supposed to be good for Calcite, apparently it doesn't dissolve it like other acids, I don't know about that, try it on a worthless piece first. Mindat has a few threads about it, a lot of guess work though, recommending Hydrochloric (muriatic) acid, vinegar, nope don't do it. NO! NO! NO! DO NOT US OXALIC ON CALCITE!!!!!!! Oxalic disolves the calcium and make an insoluble salt of calcium oxalate which is a greenish yellow. This is why before soaking Geodes in Oxalic to remove Iron stanes you soak in muratic to remove the limestone/dolomite. Otherwise the nice white Keokuk, TN, KY, IN Geodes get a greenish yellow covering. |
|
kyoti
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2020
Posts: 542
|
Post by kyoti on Jun 24, 2020 7:13:00 GMT -5
Sweet! Thanks for all the replies everyone. I'll try to swing by Harbor Freight and get a fabric gun this week. I'll test out the different methods on my rough pieces I have and see how they work this weekend. I never thought of using a quill. Great idea. I have a lot of white calcite waiting for cleanup. It's one of the most common minerals in this area.
There's also more of the godzilla septarian waiting to be collected and cleaned. The thing must have been the size of a pickup truck when it was whole.š
|
|
|
|
Post by pauls on Jun 25, 2020 0:50:38 GMT -5
Oxalic acid is supposed to be good for Calcite, apparently it doesn't dissolve it like other acids, I don't know about that, try it on a worthless piece first. Mindat has a few threads about it, a lot of guess work though, recommending Hydrochloric (muriatic) acid, vinegar, nope don't do it. NO! NO! NO! DO NOT US OXALIC ON CALCITE!!!!!!! Oxalic disolves the calcium and make an insoluble salt of calcium oxalate which is a greenish yellow. This is why before soaking Geodes in Oxalic to remove Iron stanes you soak in muratic to remove the limestone/dolomite. Otherwise the nice white Keokuk, TN, KY, IN Geodes get a greenish yellow covering. Thanks RMF. I looked at those Mindat threads and boy it was a lot of guess work. I remember the oxalic came up on a thread some time ago and remember thinking high school chemistry and "how would that work?" I enjoyed chemistry and it has mostly stuck with me, there's so much bull dust spread around the interwebs it's good to have a doubting skeptical mind. Yes I always soak in Hydrochloric first and then Oxalic. |
|
kyoti
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2020
Posts: 542
|
Post by kyoti on Jul 17, 2020 18:23:51 GMT -5
Sorry for the very late follow up. Finally got to chance to test the suggestions. The deck wash seemed to work the best with no hazing or frosting. I used Scott's Outdoor Cleaner. I'll be able to clean up my crystals and Rudist fossils now. It even worked on some separian chunks. Sweeet! Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. |
|
