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Techniques for Collectorscleaning amazonite specimen

9th Dec 2013 16:36 UTCDennis Tryon

I have a specimen with numerous amazonite crystals, many of which are stained with a thin layer of albite. Is there an acid I could use to remove the albite without harming the amazonite? Or is there another cleaning method?

Dennis

9th Dec 2013 17:44 UTCReiner Mielke Expert

No!

9th Dec 2013 20:57 UTCRock Currier Expert

Could we see a picture of the specimen?

9th Dec 2013 22:16 UTCMike Royal

on the prospector show on tv thay where useing a sandblasting box no idia what it was loaded with bakingsoda maybe but it cleaned up there stuff nice

10th Dec 2013 00:14 UTCDennis Tryon

10th Dec 2013 12:44 UTCRock Currier Expert

I don't think you need to get rid of the albite but the specimen could sure use a cleaning to remove the iron staining. You can do this several ways see this article on cleaning quartz:. Try the iron out or the oxalic acid method. After you get rid of the iron staining you will be better able to determine how much of any of the albite you want to remove. The only way to do that will be mechanically. I mean chipping it away with a little chisel or some sort of small air scribe.

10th Dec 2013 17:55 UTCDennis Tryon

Thanks Rock,

I'll get some iron out and give it a try.

Dennis

10th Dec 2013 20:46 UTCDanny Jones Expert

Please post a picture after you have cleaned it. Thanks

11th Dec 2013 05:18 UTCDean Allum Expert

Dennis,

I also recommend that you get some dental picks from Harbor Freight Tools. These can be used to pulls some of the albite and quartz off the flat surfaces of amazonite.

-Dean

21st Dec 2013 18:10 UTCDennis Tryon

After cleaning with Iron-Out.

22nd Dec 2013 07:52 UTCRock Currier Expert

I think it still needs a lot of cleaning. Put it in a solution of oxalic acid and let it sit for a month.

23rd Dec 2013 02:14 UTCDennis Tryon

Where can I get Oxalic acid?

Dennis

23rd Dec 2013 03:50 UTCAnonymous User

Sometimes sold at hardware stores as deck cleaner. I purchased my last 5lb bag on Amazon for cheap. You can speed up the process if you can heat up in an old crock pot. Just make sure it is done outside in a well ventilated area. I usually just use a bucket in the heat of a Texas summer like Rock Currier suggest. Just make sure you cover to keep pets or other wildlife out of it.

23rd Dec 2013 16:30 UTCTom Henderson

I tried making a solar crock pot by painting a plastic bucket and cover black. It never heated up as planned despite strong Colorado sun. Lost too much heat at night and never made up the deficit during the day. One day I may try making a solar reflector oven but that is a lot more work. Probably not worth the effort.

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