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Techniques for CollectorsCleaning Amethyst Quartz?

4th Sep 2006 04:50 UTCGail Spann Manager

I have recently aquired a Guerrero Quartz that has never been cleaned. It is not too bad,but does have some left over deposits of yellowish rust type residue as well as just a lack of lustre all over. Any suggestions for a quick fix at home that might let me, at least, see a small cleaned portion before sending off for a professional cleaning and trim?

Appreciate any help you can offer.

Gail

4th Sep 2006 18:02 UTCAlan Plante

Hi Gail


If you can find it, try "Super Iron Out" (not the regular "Iron Out"). It seems to be the cleaner of choice for quartz where it is available - works well, not as dangerous as commercially available acids. (Still, be careful - it IS a harsh chemical compound...)


Otherwise you can try oxalic acid, available at most hardware stores in the masonary supply section. Usually comes in boxes of powder that you mix with water. (Use all necessary precautions for working with an acid.)


Best of luck.


Alan

5th Sep 2006 06:43 UTCJim Bean 🌟

Another vote for Super Iron Out. Try soaking an hour or three at first, if that doesn't do it overnight should for all but the thickest of iron encrustations.


If the specimen is dulled by anything more than iron stains it is probably as good as it's going to get without polishing it mechanically, which will reduce the value of the specimen to practically nothing.

5th Sep 2006 13:33 UTCPaul L. Boyer

In the thread "oxalic acid dos and don'ts, Dr. Peter Haas had the very good point of soaking the sample in water first to prevent the chemicals from being sucked into the mineral by capillary action. May want to read that post.

17th Jun 2007 21:36 UTCRock Currier Expert

Gail,

Some of the Guerrero amethyst specimens were coated with bees wax by the locals to make them look better. It may be that you specimens just has an accumulation of dirt caught by the bees wax. I would first just give it a bath in good hot soapy water and see if that does some good. Failing that try the iron out stuff.

Rock

18th Jun 2007 02:20 UTCAlan Plante

Hi Rock


That is "Super Iron Out", Rock. The "Iron Out" is a different formula, and is not as good. We have this from chemists


Regards,


Alan
 
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