Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic Time
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral Quiz
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography
╳Discussions
💬 Home🔎 Search📅 LatestGroups
EducationOpen discussion area.Fakes & FraudsOpen discussion area.Field CollectingOpen discussion area.FossilsOpen discussion area.Gems and GemologyOpen discussion area.GeneralOpen discussion area.How to ContributeOpen discussion area.Identity HelpOpen discussion area.Improving Mindat.orgOpen discussion area.LocalitiesOpen discussion area.Lost and Stolen SpecimensOpen discussion area.MarketplaceOpen discussion area.MeteoritesOpen discussion area.Mindat ProductsOpen discussion area.Mineral ExchangesOpen discussion area.Mineral PhotographyOpen discussion area.Mineral ShowsOpen discussion area.Mineralogical ClassificationOpen discussion area.Mineralogy CourseOpen discussion area.MineralsOpen discussion area.Minerals and MuseumsOpen discussion area.PhotosOpen discussion area.Techniques for CollectorsOpen discussion area.The Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryOpen discussion area.UV MineralsOpen discussion area.Recent Images in Discussions
Techniques for CollectorsExposing Garnets
26th Jun 2012 19:45 UTCJesse Donaldson
I'm looking for advice on how to best expose the garnets(?) in the attached rock.
Ideally, I'd like to remove enough of the matrix to expose buried garnets and display nicely formed crystal faces.
The matrix seems to be pretty soft (< 4), but abrasion with a rotary wire brush is still awfully slow going, and "feels like" it could damage the edges of exposed crystals. I'm not sure how to best remove the matrix without damaging the crystals. I have a few ideas, but thought I'd ask around before wrecking my specimen. :-)
I'm considering:
* Sandblasting with walnut shells
* Vibratory tumbling with walnut shells
* Splitting off layers of the matrix with a chisel or knife
This came from a stream in Windsor county, Vermont, USA.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Jesse
26th Jun 2012 21:14 UTCAlfredo Petrov Manager
27th Jun 2012 01:28 UTCDavid Sheumack
This video clip might give you a few ideas for preparing your specimen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCHZRm2Ux0Y&feature=autoplay&list=UUk2L8I6ZZGod8Q3DuDSC7-g&playnext=1
27th Jun 2012 16:22 UTCJesse Donaldson
I'm a bit worried that sandblasting with glass beads might damage the crystal edges, but I'll give it a try if I have trouble with other methods.
The youtube video was definitely useful (although the first one that came up was about offroad vehicles -- had to go back one).
I recently picked up an old dental electro-mallet, which might be just the thing to let me delicately chisel away the matrix.
Regards,
Jesse
Mindat.org is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: April 19, 2024 18:28:24
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: April 19, 2024 18:28:24