[Rockhounds] Faceting hanksite?

[Tim Jokela Jr.]

They've faceted villiaumite, no? Not only water soluble, but perfect 
cleavage in a few directions. So I suspect somebody has taken a whack at a 
hanksite, maybe keep it under oil when cut.

T


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Al Balmer" <albalmer at copper.net>
To: "Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem collectors" 
<rockhounds at lists.drizzle.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 2:35 PM
Subject: Re: [Rockhounds] Faceting hanksite?


> On Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:21:30 +0200, "Rik Dillen"
> <rik.dillen at skynet.be> wrote:
>
>>IMHO faceting hanksite is completely unthinkable, as this compound is 
>>water
>>soluble. In theory it could perhaps be treated in an apolar solvent, such 
>>as
>>xylene.
>>Anyway, I don't see the purpose of trying to facet hanksite, as it would
>>effloresce almost immediately.
>
> The same reason anyone would facet common salt - just to prove they
> can. Or can't <g>.
>
> For halite, Vargas recommends kerosene as the coolant/lubricant. They
> mention another polishing method: dip the cut stone into distilled
> water for a fraction of a second, then quickly dip it in 95% ethanol.
> Very smooth, but slightly rounded facets, they say.
>
> -- 
> Al Balmer
> Sun City, AZ
>
> -- 
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