[Rockhounds] Removing quartz Druse

[Rock Currier]

Andy Sicree said:

I was wondering if anyone knew of any ways to get rid of quartz (such as in
encrustations without use of hydrofluoric acid.

Andy, Exactly what kind of specimen are you trying to clean? What is the
quartz encrustation on? If you want to use chemical means to remove the
quartz, you may or may not be able to do it without damaging the mineral the
quartz is growing on. If the mineral it is on can withstand HF acid you may
be able to get away by using ammonium bifluoride slightly acidified, however
if it is a thick encrustation you will really have only the option of
concentrated HF or mechanical means to remove it. But it all depends on
exactly what it the nature of the quartz and what it is growing on.

Rock