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Ivan Fleisch
Joined: 19 Jan 2014
Posts: 11
Location: Moshav Talmei Yosef 56 D.N Hanegev
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 Posted: Mar 02, 2014 06:29 Post subject: How to clean calcite specimens |
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| Hi, I am trying to organise my modest mineral collection and would like to know if I can clean calcite specimens with some water and a toothbrush?
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Peter Megaw
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 973
Location: Tucson, Arizona
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| Posted: Mar 02, 2014 08:19 Post subject: Re: How to clean calcite specimens. |
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Ivan, as you probably know, calcite is very soft...if you use a toothbrush make sure it is either new or very thoroughly rinsed because toothpastes contain silica abrasives and any residue from them will scratch the calcite.
A safer method is to soak the pieces in soapy water for a while (hours is fine) and then spray them clean with a spray bottle like Windex comes in. Rinse and let dry. If the water in your area is hard, get some distilled or demineralized water (lots of Water Store type places sell it cheaply) for the final rinse to keep spots from depositing.
If your calcite require more drastic cleaning, why not post a picture of one or more and the FMF experts will give you more precise advice
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Ivan Fleisch
Joined: 19 Jan 2014
Posts: 11
Location: Moshav Talmei Yosef 56 D.N Hanegev
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| Posted: Mar 02, 2014 08:51 Post subject: Re: How to clean calcite specimens. |
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Hi Peter,
Thanks for the info.Especially the warning about toothpaste having abrasives.
I will go the safe way and do exactly what you suggested
.The photos and specimens posted on this site are in a league way above my collection,but I will try and spruce mine up and perhaps show the members a few of the better ones.
I have some others that also need cleaning and when I am ready,I will pose some more cleaning questions.
Thanks again.
Ivan
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Joseph DOliveira
Joined: 29 Jan 2012
Posts: 311
Location: Hanmer, Ontario
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| Posted: Mar 02, 2014 09:07 Post subject: Re: How to clean calcite specimens. |
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| Peter Megaw wrote: | | Ivan, as you probably know, calcite is very soft...if you use a toothbrush make sure it is either new or very thoroughly rinsed because toothpastes contain silica abrasives and any residue from them will scratch the calcite. |
I agree with Peter that a tooth brush may be too abrasive for the calcite. I usually use liquid dish soap and a soft 1" paint brush with long bristles, as they tend to be significantly softer than a tooth brush and can get in the little nooks and crannies that a tooth brush might not reach. For stubborn dirt or specimens that have a lot of fine dirt in between the crystals, I use a high pressure water gun. While a water gun is an expensive proposition, it can literally transform a specimen and significantly improve it's appearance. The water gun must be used with caution, as it can destroy a delicate specimen within seconds and can also injure you if the proper protective equipment (heavy gloves & safety glasses) are not used. (speaking from experience)
It is amazing how a little soap and water with minimal cleaning can improve the presentation of a specimen by removing dirt and the film that deposits from airborne particles around the home. Cleaning is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to improve your collection.
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Joseph D'Oliveira
Hanmer, Ontario
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 638
Location: Monroeville PA
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Ivan Fleisch
Joined: 19 Jan 2014
Posts: 11
Location: Moshav Talmei Yosef 56 D.N Hanegev
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| Posted: Mar 02, 2014 09:23 Post subject: Re: How to clean calcite specimens. |
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Thank you Joseph.
I am posting 2 photos for some advice on cleaning Descloizite and Smithsonite.
You and Peter are encouraging me to do some cosmetics but I will do it only with your expert advice.
Thanks again.
| Description: |
Descloizite lead
Abenab, Namibia
20 x 15 cm. |
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21697 Time(s) |
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Ivan Fleisch
Joined: 19 Jan 2014
Posts: 11
Location: Moshav Talmei Yosef 56 D.N Hanegev
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| Posted: Mar 02, 2014 09:27 Post subject: Re: How to clean calcite specimens. |
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Now the second picture.
| Description: |
Cobaltoan smithsonite
Tsumeb, Namibia.
13 x 8 cm. |
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21649 Time(s) |
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Pete Richards
Site Admin
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Posts: 841
Location: Northeast Ohio
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| Posted: Mar 02, 2014 13:53 Post subject: Re: How to clean calcite specimens. |
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| bob kerr wrote: | depending on the "dirt" - consider iron-out or oxalic acid also.
bob |
I would be extremely cautious about using these materials. Either one is likely to etch calcite. If you are going to try them, do so with a piece you don't mind ruining.
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Collecting and studying crystals with interesting habits, twinning, and epitaxy |
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marvsT/Nminerals
Joined: 06 Nov 2008
Posts: 68
Location: Juda, Wisconsin
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| Posted: Mar 02, 2014 17:53 Post subject: Re: How to clean calcite specimens |
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Ivan, A note about cleaning calcite and other carbonates. Many crystals are temperature sensitive and should be cleaned with water that is at the same temperature as the mineral otherwise they may craze or even fracture.
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Mar 07, 2014 06:05 Post subject: Re: How to clean calcite specimens. |
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| Pete Richards wrote: | | bob kerr wrote: | depending on the "dirt" - consider iron-out or oxalic acid also.
bob |
I would be extremely cautious about using these materials. Either one is likely to etch calcite. If you are going to try them, do so with a piece you don't mind ruining. |
I will go futher to add that oxalic acid will ruin your specimen.
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Jordi Fabre
Overall coordinator of the Forum
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
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Location: Barcelona
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Ivan Fleisch
Joined: 19 Jan 2014
Posts: 11
Location: Moshav Talmei Yosef 56 D.N Hanegev
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| Posted: Mar 11, 2014 01:56 Post subject: Re: How to clean calcite specimens |
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Thank you all for the advice.
Would the cleaning of the above samples be similar to the method of cleaning calcite? i.e. soapy water and then clean water?
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