[Rockhounds] Hanksite

[DonH]

* This did not post correctly the first time *


Hi,

It is very difficult to protect deliquescent and hygroscopic minerals 
from deterioration when they are removed from the environments in which 
they are stable. In some cases, there is internal water trapped in the 
crystal that makes its way to the surface. For pyrite and marcasite, the 
causes of decay are more complex.

Did you really mean that RH <70% is quite dry???

The best bet for the hanksite in this condition, and lacking the 
original solution from which they formed, is to simply brush off the 
white powder. Coating them with mineral oil or varnish, in every case I 
have ever seen or heard about, only delays and not stops the problem in 
the long term. Many people do not like to alter the natural mineral at 
all, and many folks simply won't collect halides for the simple reason 
that they live in an environment where they do not keep well.

They can also be kept in sealed microenvironments, though these can be 
tricky to create. However, I know of at least one specimen of rösslerite 
kept in a bell jar without alteration for decades, and no special 
conditions inside the jar.

Good luck to you in your efforts!

Don











Mark Stanley wrote:
> 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
>