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Techniques for CollectorsPreventing Dehydration

15th Mar 2012 20:30 UTCDavid Bernstein Expert

I'm not certain that what I'd like to prevent is possible but I thought I would ask. Please don't hurt me.:-D

I have been digging a hole at an old copper mine for several years. Recently, I hit a large area of thick mud. Mixed in with the mud are beautiful partially solidified pieces of Chrysocolla, Pseudomalachite, Azurite and other copper secondaries. Some of the pieces break apart immediately. Some are large enough to take home and wash. And they do look nice for a period of time. But invariably, the pieces dry out, the color fades and they crumble into dust. I'll tell ya, it's really depressing. Because if I could preserve them somehow, I think they would rival anything(Cu wise) found in New Jersey in a long time excluding Native Copper. The pieces I am writing about will be obvious from in the attached picture.

Anyway, if anyone has any helpful ideas, I'd be glad to read them. Many thanks.

15th Mar 2012 20:45 UTCAlfredo Petrov Manager

David, How are you storing them? Indoor air can get quite dry, what with heaters in the winter and air conditioning in the summer; even worse if they're in a display case with warm lighting.

I keep some dehydration-prone rare minerals in sealed glass jars with a bit of water (and things added to the water to stop bacteria and mold growing in it), or in plastic film containers, but that's probably not practical for your specimens as they seem rather larger in size than what I typically keep. Perhaps a humidifier might help? Some guitar players in dry environments keep a container with a moistened sponge inside their guitar cases to keep the wood from cracking - perhaps something like that might help inside a mineral display case too? One thing that does not work well over the long term is lacquering specimens.

15th Mar 2012 21:33 UTCDavid Bernstein Expert

Hi Alfredo, yep, we have a very DRY home. I'm reluctant to put them in a container in keeping with my new rule, if I bring it home, it should be displayed prominently. And I display my minerals on bookshelves without lighting.

Thanks for addressing lacquer. I always wondered about that.

16th Mar 2012 00:37 UTCReiner Mielke Expert

Try soaking them in mineral oil ( or baby oil same thing). I find that prevents dehydration and in your case will enhance their look as they will appear wet all the time.

16th Mar 2012 02:02 UTCDavid Bernstein Expert

Thanks, Reiner. Neat idea.

16th Mar 2012 07:33 UTCTrevor Dart

One method I use on desert rose gypsums to stop them drying out and the crystals cracking apart, is to soak them in a mixture of water and PVA glue. The mixture is 10:1 dilution and it can be applied by either dipping the sample into a container filled with the solution, or sprayed on the sample using a hand spray bottle. The sample needs to be well drained off, or drops of glue form around the base. The only issue I have with this, is that it sometimes gives a false sheen to the sample. The glue sets clear and can always be removed at a later date with some warm water if needed.

16th Mar 2012 12:42 UTCDavid Bernstein Expert

Thanks, Trevor.

Here is another shot. The piece on the left has yet to be washed. The others soaked overnight and then I scrubbed them this morning. The mud is very stubborn.

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