Cleaning Fluorite

JR:
Thank you for the advice. I will try to develope my skills on a "less important" specimen. I'll let you know how things turn out! Appreciate the time and assistance.

Very Respectfully,

Steven

I have some fluorite crystal that I want to polish. Any ideas for cleaning it?

Temperature can be a real problem since most acids are exothermic when diluted. Make sure the temperature of the fluorite and acid bath are the same. Same goes for the neutralizing solution.

I have been using a 10 to 1 dillution of Muriatic acid to clean fluorite specimens, most of which are from China although some are from Kentucky. the specimens from China had a fine white coating on the crystals before I put them into the acid. the acid removed most of the coating from the crystals but it appears to have redeposited it on the matrix. Any suggestion as to what the coating is and how to remove it permanently from the specimens?

Could we see a picture of a specimen that needs further attention? When you put them in the 10 to 1 dillution of Muriatic acid did the specimen bubble? How long did it take to "clean" she specimen?

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

Hello!


You could clean you specimen using a sand blaster with Calcium Carbonate as an abrasive.This won't hurt the fluorite.


Hydrofluoric should be treated with Calcium glauconate after the acid has come in contact with the skin.A doctor should measure the surface attacked and use the appropriate amount of the compound.The purpose is to provide Calcium to the organism,not neutralize the acid.

The problem is that particles penetrate all tissues,react with the calcium and the result is hypocalciaemia.Calcium has an important physiological role for the heart function,muscles contraction and nerve system.

It is possible that the patient feels no pain due to the burn,because the calcium needed to release neurotransmitters has reacted with the acid.

The gel form is used for local treatment,but a patient with a large area exposed should need an injection.

It's certainly not an acid that can be used by an amateur and not even by a professional ,if the goal isn't really important.

The cleaning of a specimen isn't important enough to put you life in danger.Health is not only a right,but an obligation!

There are professional trimmers who will clean with Hydrofluoric and the price is low compared to the danger.

Don't play doctor of chemist!You need to be alive to enjoy your specimens!

Good health to all of you!
-Kostas.

This seems like the right thread to post this question. I have an old specimen of fluorite, sphalerite, very minor pyrite, & quartz on a carbonate matrix from Illinois (Minerva #2 Mine) that I recently obtained. There is some slight iron staining on parts of the quartz that I'd like to try to remove.

If I use a Super Iron Out solution will this hurt the fluorites? I hesitate to use any acid because of the carbonate matrix, and I suspect that the piece may have been cleaned with acid in the past because the fluorite is somewhat dull already.

Best regards,
Jonathan

Jonathan
Super Iron Out will not harm any of the minerals on your specimen.

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

I recently bought a nice piece of fluorite crystal at a mine near Oatman, AZ. I scrubbed it with soap and water and some of it turned white. We have oxyrocks product and super iron out. Will either of those work to clean this piece up? It has a tiny pieces of black rock onsome of it. Evelyn Anderson

Evelyn, quite often fluorite is oiled or sprayed to enhance the color (making the surface of the piece more transparent so that internal color can be seen). I can't know if this is what has happened in your case but you might try a thin coat of mineral oil applied with a stiff toothbrush to see if the original appearance returns.....you can always wash it again to remove the new mineral oil.

hello!

i have tried fluorite crystals in HCL and HF but both types of acid effect the luster of fluorite very badly, so all user be very much careful in dealing with acids.

I now have 2 pieces of flourite that I am trying to clean. The first one is pink and it has brown depsits on it. I tried white vinegar and oxalic acid. I also tried to physically remove the brown deposits with a small sharp knife but the brown is mostly still there and I believe I have white deposits too. should I try mineral oil?
The second piece is new and comes in the usual green/blue/purple colors. It had been stored in a rock pile outside exposed to the elements. When I purchased it my hands got all muddy so I though a simple bath would do. I soaked it in water overnight and used a toothbrush. The bowl of water now stays clean but the rock still looks like it is covered in mud. Do I go to the drug store and ask for muratic acid? I appreciate any help anyone can give me.
Lastly mineral oil is mentioned above. Does using vegetable oil cause a problem?

Could we see a picture of what it is you are trying to clean?

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

Muriatic acid is best had at the hardware stores (big box ones) and sold as concrete cleaner or similar in 1 gallon jugs. I have had it pit some fluorites and yet others it works great on. Always try new techniques on inconspicuous locations or small chips.

Rock is right though, a picture would really help out.