For all general 'rockhound' chatter! http://www.mindat.org/msgboard-15.html Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:05:07 +0000 Phorum 5.2.8-RC1 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161569#msg-161569 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161569#msg-161569 anyone who eventually acquires the specimen will need to know what was done to it. Nevertheless, in "real life" the information is rarely recorded on labels - I think experienced collectors just assume that all their peers already know that Crestmore garnets are all exposed by acid etching the blue calcite matrix, and that almost all Colorado amazonites have had limonite staining removed with oxalic acid, and all Brazilian amethyst geodes are treated with silicone and the green celadonite rind is usually touched up with green paint, etc., etc. Beginners go through a learning curve and eventually find all this stuff out - Things which seem self-evident to us may be shocking(?) news for beginners. You raise a valid point, Ray - it's time to write more of this down, to shorten the beginners' learning curve. But in cases where a procedure is close to universal, it might be overkill to describe it on every specmen label or Mindat specimen photo.

Since many cleaning procedures and other treatments tend to be locality-specific, a good place to start might be the description boxes on locality pages here on Mindat - We could add notes about how typical specimens from a given locality are, or need to be, treated, which would avoid endless repetition of the information on hundreds of indivdual photos.]]> Alfredo Petrov Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:16:04 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161561#msg-161561 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161561#msg-161561 I assume your Fluorite to have a Baryte association? Even so, beyond a simple mild cleaning with detergent to remove remaining or accumulated crud, I really don't see the need to to treat it otherwise. A classic looking piece "as is" to be sure. Treated in an effort to pretty it up some may still not likely get this one close enough to the mark, that is, to have great appeal to those who are primarily aesthetically driven.

Although I know well this is not the venue for such remarks, I myself would gladly and much prefer purchasing that particular piece in it's current state! : )


MRH]]> Mark Heintzelman Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:53:45 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161560#msg-161560 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161560#msg-161560 It also comes down to which is more desireable, a good Tennantite specimen or an interesting Smithsonite on Tennantite. Maybe you already have that association but don't have a good tennantite specimen? Maybe you can trade for a good tennantite? However it is likely that a good tennantite would be worth more than the specimen you have. Value is therefore also a consideration.]]> Reiner Mielke Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:48:28 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161549#msg-161549 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161549#msg-161549
Don't ever, ever, ever ever do a google search with the words 'Hydrofluoric acid burn' :(

After reading about it and now having seen results of spills, I will leave it to the chemists, in their laboratories, with the safety-things and the isolation boxes and the haz-mat things and the-----..

:(

*runs and hides*]]> Bri Dragonne Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:13:32 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161527,161540#msg-161540 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161527,161540#msg-161540 Have Great Thanksgiving Day Everybody!!!
Steve.]]> Steven Kuitems Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:06:29 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161533#msg-161533 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161533#msg-161533 Jim Hall Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:22:10 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161530#msg-161530 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161530#msg-161530
Maybe I should take a picture and send it to Mindat (that is, if this relative computer illiterate can figure out how that' done).

Mark]]> Mark & Linda Mahlum Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:56:09 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161527,161527#msg-161527 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161527,161527#msg-161527
Darren]]> Darren Court Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:20:47 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161510#msg-161510 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161510#msg-161510
Since I just got started in mineral dealing and working through the collection, I have come across some specimens that need a bit more preparation.

Two example are a ruby specimen from India and a fluorite specimen from Germany.[attachment 18865 ru.jpg][attachment 18864 fl.jpg]

On the left side of the ruby specimen, the crystal there was fairly covered by calcite, so I used a rotary tool to isolate the calcite and then break the calcite off.

Before, you could see about 20% of the crystal.

The crystal is about 2.5cm wide, so I wanted it to show nicely.

Sadly, the crystal popped off with the calcite (My first accident) so I had re-attach it using a dab (Not a big gob, just enough to hold it and so that the super glue did not reach the outer edge, under the crystal) of super glue.

This of course will be disclosed upon sale or giving it to someone else.


The second issue is a large (18cm) cluster of dark purple fluorite from Wölsendorf Germany.

I have not done any work on it at all and I am considering just leaving it alone.

This was purchased around 1974, but it looks like it comes from an older collection since it still has some of the original dirt left on it and some sort of iron oxide as well.

I tend to think that it's from an older collection, since it has not been thoroughly cleaned and such.

This is a rare state for large clusters of German fluorites I think.

So, while I think a good bath in some kind of acid would help it's appearance (Removing all of the iron oxide and left over dirt), I wonder if by doing so, I detract from its currently humble state.

-Bri]]> Bri Dragonne Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:36:33 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,160539,161507#msg-161507 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,160539,161507#msg-161507
Jedwab, J. (1992): Platinum Group Minerals in ultrabasic rocks and nickeliferous veins from Zabargad Island (Egypt). C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, 1992, 314, II, 157-163.

My guess is that more (very small) wonders are to be expected from that place.]]> jacques jedwab Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:58:22 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161506#msg-161506 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161506#msg-161506
I've checked several other stray golf balls in the area for fluorescence since then (for comparison and curiousity) but none of them were fluorescent. The UV fluorescence of the original two golf balls showed the typical glow that you see with animal (and human) urine. It had that smell to it also. There always seems to be an abundance of urine around here with all of the wildlife "marking their territories."

Jan]]> Jan Styer-Gold Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:54:10 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,160539,161503#msg-161503 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,160539,161503#msg-161503
My wife sent him a dollar and we received a crystal from him. Someday I may get around to photographing it.

Doug]]> Douglas Merson Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:57:44 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161501#msg-161501 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161501#msg-161501 only if one intends to sell the specimen...no offence Alfredo, but.....
I personally treat every specimen not just as mine, but as something that by the
very fact of our mortality will have to belong to someone else at some point, and
for that reason, and for my own personal information I believe that one should record
all cleaning and preparation done to a piece so future and present owners will remember
what association or coating was removed or IMPROVED by preparation. After seeing
Tourmalines and most quartzes mined before and after cleaning, I am definitely one
for cleaning and removal, if it improves the specimen, and only then.]]> Ray Hill Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:11:41 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,26613,161492#msg-161492 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,26613,161492#msg-161492
I would like a list of locations for my family to hunt geodes are you able to help me? Thanks, Cory]]> Cory Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:15:50 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,26613,161491#msg-161491 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,26613,161491#msg-161491
I would like a list of locations for my family to hunt geodes are you able to help me? Thanks, Cory]]> Cory Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:00:26 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,26613,161490#msg-161490 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,26613,161490#msg-161490
I would love a list of sites to geode hunt with my family can you help?

Thanks,
Cory]]> Cory Blue Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:57:39 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161486#msg-161486 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161486#msg-161486
Rock mentioned the classic example of the Colorado hubnerites with no quartz left on them; this is a real shame to me. We know that in nature they have quartz on them, but no specimens survive in this condition. Another example I have seen are some of the halfbreeds from Upper Michigan where all the basalt, calcite, and other minerals are gone. As far as oiling; one of the big debates is whether or not to oil a Laker (Lake Superior Agate) or any agate to bring out its intense banding and colouration. I have seen them oiled, wet with water, dry, coated with laquer, etc... My personal choice is just to put them in a jar with some distilled water. I don't even like to polish my Lakers...... B)]]> Paul Brandes Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:01:53 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161479#msg-161479 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161479#msg-161479 Jim Hall Rockhounds Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:11:08 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161475#msg-161475 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161475#msg-161475
Therein lies the temptation :S

Also, being into lapidary, we sometimes have to fight the urge to polish things or make it 'pretty' ;)

(Joking.)

I knew someone who collected jasper and agate and who did not like the idea of having them polished at all...

Ah well.
:)]]> Bri Dragonne Rockhounds Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:29:48 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161453#msg-161453 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161453#msg-161453 Can the golf balls themselves be fluorescent?]]> Ken Ceglady Rockhounds Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:42:08 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161447#msg-161447 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161447#msg-161447 The moral of the story: You allways know what you have, but can never know what you get. B)-]]> Sigurd Stordal Rockhounds Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:19:36 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161446#msg-161446 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161446#msg-161446
Ken, I agree with you about the differences in fluorescence among the various lichen species and their environmental conditions. I've seen those differences quite often in the wooded area where I live.

Jan]]> Jan Styer-Gold Rockhounds Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:12:23 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161445#msg-161445 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161445#msg-161445
I really appreciate your response. I have long wondered if lichens could produce a fluorescent response. Over the last two weeks I have collected some Sodalite that glows orange but the rocks also glow a shade of green in LW and I suspected lichens might have something to do with it.]]> David Bernstein Rockhounds Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:05:15 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,160283,161431#msg-161431 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,160283,161431#msg-161431 Dean Allum Rockhounds Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:22:29 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161428,161428#msg-161428 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161428,161428#msg-161428 Dawid Godziewski Rockhounds Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:18:17 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161423#msg-161423 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161423#msg-161423
Many lichens are fluorescent. This is due to chlorophyll-a and to other compounds. Differences in fluorescence are likely due to the biological composition of the lichen (each lichen is a combination of a fungus and an alga). The algae (often blue-green algae) are the photosynthetic component, and differences in the pigments they contain produce different amounts and colors of fluorescence.

Also, when a lichen becomes dessicated it loses much of its fluorescence. Chlorophyll-a and other pigments are rendered inactive, and do not absorb as much light as they normally would. When a lichen is rehydrated, it can regain its photosynthetic capability (and fluorescence) within seconds.

Lichens absorption of, and tolerance of, airborne pollutants are well-studied. Lichens can break down rocks and minerals on a very small and slow scale (by secretion of acids, trapping of moisture, etc., I believe), but I don't think absorption of fluorescent mineral grains or components would be a main cause of the lichen's fluorescence.

Therefore, most likely, differences in fluorescence are best explained by different species of lichens containing different species of algae, or by dry vs. hydrated lichens.]]> Ken Ceglady Rockhounds Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:32:49 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161412#msg-161412 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161412#msg-161412 Chester S. Lemanski, Jr. Rockhounds Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:02:25 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161410#msg-161410 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161410#msg-161410 Alfredo Petrov Rockhounds Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:57:11 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161405#msg-161405 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161405,161405#msg-161405
The second fooler was a bunch of rocks I picked up off the dump of an old iron ore mine that was known to have scheelite. I first checked them under LW, and didn't note any fluorescence. When I got hold of a SW UV lamp, I re-checked them and found abundant blue-white fluorescence. Trouble is, some of the specimens showed fluorescence on old, weathered surfaces and not on freshly broken surfaces. A closer look showed - you guessed it - lichen. I also found several freshly broken pieces with nice blue-white fluorescent scheelite.

So what I've got is lichens that fluoresce the same colors under the same wavelengths as the minerals in the rocks. Anybody know anything about biology? Is it possible that the lichen takes up some of the minerals in the host rock that makes them fluorescent? I haven't seen enough of this to say that it isn't just coincidence.

-Dan]]> Dan Fountain Rockhounds Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:38:23 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161389#msg-161389 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,15,161262,161389#msg-161389

Just kidding. Leave it as it is.


Mark]]> Mark & Linda Mahlum Rockhounds Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:06:14 +0000