[Rockhounds] Cleaning Galena, Help?

[R. Peter Richards]

What has not been said so far in this thread is that the weathering  
takes place by chemical alteration of the surface of the crystal.   
Consequently, the original luster of the crystal surfaces is gone,  
not just covered up.  Even if you can completely remove the altered  
material, you cannot restore the original luster.  Physical methods  
such as use of abrasives can create a new luster, but it's an  
artificial one.  Chemical methods that remove the altered material  
will not bring back the luster.  Let's face it, them crystals is dead!

Pete Richards


On Jun 17, 2008, at 11:18 PM, Paintricks at aol.com wrote:

> Hey everybody.  I have some nice Galena crystals that have an   
> oxidized
> coating i need off.  It's a dull grey like your tire weights have   
> after a few
> thousand miles.  This stuff is beautiful underneath.  Any   
> suggestions?
>   Thanks in advance,
>   Kevin
>
>
>
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> fuel-efficient used cars.      (http://autos.aol.com/used? 
> ncid=aolaut00050000000007)
>
>
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___________________________________
R. Peter Richards
rpr at heidelberg.edu
Morphological crystallographer





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