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Techniques for Collectorscolumbite with matrix or not?

1st Aug 2012 15:51 UTCPekka Ruoho

I am trying to clean a small piece (crystals) of columbite from Kaatiala in Finland.
http://kivisivut.travelnet.fi/col1.jpg
http://kivisivut.travelnet.fi/col2.jpg

..and I would like to get second opinion. Should I try to clean away all feldspar and small parts of columbite crystals on the top of it, or

should I leave the matrix. I am pretty sure that there are more well terminated crystals inside of feldspar.

1st Aug 2012 16:07 UTCRock Currier Expert

Its not a bad specimen as it is. I would use the high pressure water from one of the new spot cleaning guns that are in common use by dry cleaners to see what I could clean off. Then I would probably use a small pneumatic hammer to try and remove a little of the feldspar to see if any significant other columbites? were worth exposing. Then I would put it in iron out to remove the minor "iron" staining.

1st Aug 2012 17:40 UTCJohan Kjellman Expert

Since it is already so good, I would keep it as it is.

Is it a recent find?

cheers

1st Aug 2012 17:45 UTCUlf Nyberg

Hi Pekka

If I where you, I where very contented for the specimen as it is, because the columbites are very fragile and even small

vibrations, can do that you, got some of the crystals broken. Do not that problems to you!!

Try only oxyal acid for the rust, or any other thing good for removing the same.

Terv. / Ulf (tu)

1st Aug 2012 18:58 UTCPekka Ruoho

Thanks all!

I just removed broken pieces of feldspar and found even in top part one terminated crystal. Here some new pics.
http://kivisivut.travelnet.fi/col3.jpg
http://kivisivut.travelnet.fi/col4.jpg
http://kivisivut.travelnet.fi/col5.jpg

.. now it is taking bath. I have broken many big rocks in Kaatiala and have many "singel" crystals. This time I took with me a smaller rock with broken crystal on surface. When I hammered it at home I found many small crystals and this group, which I like for its estetical look.

rgds PekkaR