FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Jack Thurber]

The subject line is the question I have. The matrix is a bit crumbly on this. Thanks.

[lluis]

If needed, I would try with a superglue sensitive to UV, to avoid to be in a hurry.

Or, if you want to have something removable, I would use a solution of Paraloid in acetone. Take in account that acetone is extremely flammable.

I would avoid any water based glue, due to magnetite.

With best wishes

Lluís

[Jordi Fabre]

Before to try to stabilize the matrix you should turn back the green color of the Scheelite to its real color (whitish-cream)
This green color is due to the action of the acids that the Chinese use to dissolve the Calcite. They use the same acid for many specimens and finally the acid is a mix of different elements that gives the green color to the Scheelites forming a thin film of mixed arsenates (see analysis below) that cover the whitish-cream Scheelite. That's also the reason why the Magnetite is not so stable because they deleted the Calcite including minor intrusion's veins of Calcite inside the Magnetite.

One good way to recover the real color of the Scheelite is Super Iron out (see: https://www.mineral-forum.com/message-board/viewtopic.php?t=3860 )

[Jack Thurber]

Thank you both for being so helpful! I was wondering about the color. I'll take care of that right away.

[Jordi Fabre]

Much more info here: Huanggang Mine scheelite color

[Jack Thurber]

Well tonight I finally got around to using the Super Iron Out (with deionized water.) I let the specimen sit for a few hours. At this point there is a slight lessening of the green of the Scheelite, but it appears as though something from the Magnetite has been deposited on it. Are there any suggestions on how to proceed? I'm not sure if the specimen can be recovered or not now.

(…again, sorry for the bad photo. It shows what I need to show though I think. I'm too sleepy to get my phone to focus or to use my camera.)