[Rockhounds] Hanksite

[Mark Stanley]

While working through some material I have from a basement cleanout for an
estate, I have found a box of about 100 Hanksite crystals from Searles Lake,
Trona, California, USA.  From the date on newspapers that were used to wrap
them, they have not been looked at for 15 years.  They range in size from 2
cm single crystals to 10 cm groups.  They are all covered in a very thick
white powder.  The wrapping material, cardboard box and the metal shelf they
were sitting on are all damaged or corroded.

The basement where they were stored was quite dry, with a dehumidifier set
to keep the humidity below 70%.  The Halite I found was okay, but about half
of the Pyrites (from various locations) were in various stages of decay.

My questions are: Can I simply wash the white powder off the Hanksites with
water and them coat them with something like mineral oil to prevent this
from happening again?  Is there a standard way to treat them to protect them
from this?

Your suggestions would be appreciated.

Mark Stanley
Norwood, Ontario, Canada