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Techniques for CollectorsWaller Method -- Anyone had success with it?

28th Jan 2009 02:15 UTCJason B. Smith Expert

So I found this link while searching for a way to clean without acid and this method would be perfect for my problems, dirty phosphates from pegmatites. I was wondering if anyone had used is and had any success before I search out some sodium dithionite. The link in case you havent heard about it:

http://homepage.mac.com/rasprague/PegShop/extras/waller/waller1.html

28th Jan 2009 15:34 UTCDavid Von Bargen Manager

A close solution (Super Iron Out)

Sodium dithionite = sodium hydrosulfite

http://www.summitbrands.com/retail_support/downloads/MSDS/US%20MSDS/MSDS%20Super%20Iron%20Out.pdf

30th Jan 2009 00:41 UTCClaus Hedegaard

I have found it very suitable for some uses, not others. Note that 'phosphates from pegmatites' covers a lot of territory and some will certainly be harmed by 'Waller solution.' Test on an inferior specimen first and note on every label/catalogue card that this particular specimen has been cleaned by that process.

All the best

Claus

6th Feb 2009 17:48 UTCAlfredo Petrov Manager

Keep in mind that some of the commercial supermarket brands of sodium dithionite also contain weak acids which will damage acid-sensitive minerals. Best to mix ones own waller solution rather than risk the commercial brands.

14th Mar 2009 23:45 UTCJohn Duck

I have found it works very well for cleaning carbonates without damage, but I usually use the Super Ironout variant and add sufficient baking soda to ensure that the solution is alkaline. It should be noted that the manufacturer has changed the formulation of Super Ironout several times, i.e. added citric acid and sodium carbonate, etc. so you should check the MSDS sheets for the product to make sure you know what chemicals you will be using to clean your samples.

Super Ironout plus baking soda will do a good job of cleaning fluorapatite and hydroxylherderite but will dissolve some micro phosphates so some initial testing as described above should be tried with a poorer specimen. I have found that it is not a good idea in general to leave specimens in the cleaning solution for an extended period of time. Multiple cleanings with fresh solution seem to work best. From what I have seen most of the cleaning occurs within the first half hour of immersion in the solution. Often times cleaning is completed within 5 to 10 minutes assuming that the specimen is not heavily coated. Also it is a good idea to soak the specimen in water for at least a half an hour before putting it into the cleaning solution to saturate all the internal pore spaces with water. This makes it easier to ensure that the cleaning solution has been completely removed from the specimen later. After cleaning let the specimen soak in clean water to remove the cleaning solution. I usually change the water twice and then let the specimen soak over night in fresh water. You will have to do a little experimentation to determine what works best for the specimens from your area. Always check one specimen first through the entire process to ensure that the procedure won't damage your samples.

According to Ray Sprague, owner of the Emmons Quarry near Norway, Maine, ammonia is recommended for cleaning micro phophates because it leaves no residue like baking soda does. Ray claims to have good success with this method for Emmons Quarry phosphates, although I have not yet tried this method personnally.

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