Packing, cleaning and preparing what you have found is half the task of the find and is of equal importance to specimen recovery.

Sorting and Packing

Sorting
When you are collecting from a productive area, you need some place to put your finds. Some people pack them right away, others lay them out on a flat surface. If you are like me and get caught up in the moment, pulling out specimens, I recommend to lay out a sheet of newspaper on a flat surface and to put your specimens on it. Make sure it is well anchored in each corner so that the wind will not pick it up. The newspaper is very important because it allows you and others to see where you have spread out your mineral specimens, avoiding accidents.

Packing
Now you need to pack your specimens so you can bring them to your vehicle, then home. You will need:
- Newspaper
- Egg cartons
- Tissue paper
- Several medium zip-lock style bags

Small specimens and 'floater' crystals that fit in the egg carton should be placed in them and should be wrapped/packed with tissue paper so as not to fit too loosely (or tightly). All other specimens should be wrapped with newspaper. If you have a fragile crystal or soft mineral, consider covering the region with tissue paper for extra protection. Use zip-lock bags to put small specimens together so they do not fall between larger specimens while you are carrying the bag/bucket. Specimens which are heavier and less fragile should be placed at the bottom of your bag/bucket, then place more and more fragile/small specimens until you reach the maximum safe capacity.

Cleaning

You will need:
- Old toothbrush
- Larger, stiffer brush
- Water
- Toothpicks

Use as necessary.

Make sure the minerals you will be cleaning cannot be damaged by water! (i.e. Villiaumite, Halite.)
The water must be at the same temperature as your mineral specimens. If there is too much temperature difference, it could fracture the crystals (this happens with fluorite and calcite). Avoid cleaning minerals that are extremely fragile, notably very thin crystals and acicular crystals.

Preparation

Mechanical

The trimming of specimens is necessary if you want to modify the size, form and aesthetics of a specimen. In some cases you will need to trim the excess matrix, in others you will need to expose crystals. Some tools you can use are: chisel and hammer, bench vice (for calcite), hydraulic trimmer, dental pick, etc. Wear safety goggles!


Chemical

NOTE: Always follow the instructions on the product label, wear chemical resistant safety goggles and all other safety equipment required. Always work cautiously, and read the MSDS. Use HCl and Super Iron Out in well aerated places, do not inhale the fumes. Use these chemicals at your own risk.

The most common chemical treatments used on mineral specimen are for rust removal (a) and calcite removal (b,c)

a. Rust removal: Super Iron Out is sold in many stores across North America and is a good rust remover.

b. Hydrochloric (Muriatic) acid - HCl: Use at 10% concentration. Removes calcite quickly and effectively, exposing the minerals hidden inside. Note that HCl does attack certain minerals. Wear long nitrile gloves when putting specimens in the solution.

c. White vinegar - 5% acetic acid: A weak organic acid that is easy to find and can be used to expose minerals from calcite (including some that HCl will attack). Using vinegar to remove calcite requires a lot of time and much of the acid.



Acknowledgments
I would like to thank Stephen Callaghan for useful suggestions.