[Rockhounds] Another cleaning question

[Kreigh Tomaszewski]

Stu Schmitt wrote:
> 
> I know how to clean bulk quartz crystals using oxalic or muratic acid.  Will
> the same process work on Jeffrey quarry solution quartz with cookeite on
> it....or will the acid remove the cookeite?  Your recommendations will be
> appreciated.
> 
> With appreciation & gratitude,
> Stuart Schmitt
> Clear Creek Crystal Mine
> www.arcrystalmine.com
> 60 Mary's Eagle Trail
> Mount Ida, AR 71957
> (870) 867-2443
> 

Stu,

Rummage thru what you collected/acquired for a small chunk that probably
is leaverite or damaged and give it a try. The bulk process scales down
to using a few drops of acid on an obscure spot so the damage is minimal
if it doesn't work as expected. 

I have several purchased specimens of solution quartz from the Jeffrey
Quarry that were obviously cleaned. None of them show any sign of
cookeite. My guess is that the traditional cleaning methods for quartz
will remove the cookeite.

I also have a specimen of quartz with cookeite from the Huaron Mines in
Peru that also appears to have been cleaned. I suspect the cleaning was
interrupted, leaving beautiful quartz points sticking out of the
remaining cookeite and quartz core. The secret may be small batches and
timing.

Hope this helps. Let us know how it comes out.

Kreigh