[Rockhounds] Hanksite

[Mark Stanley]

Thank you to everyone who responded with suggestions on how to best treat
the Hanksites.

Last night I took 10 of the less desirable crystals, quickly rinsed them in
tap water and dried them off, 24 hours later they are dull with a fine white
dust that comes off on your hands.  I have now dipped them in mineral oil
with the hope of preventing further "dusting".

I took another 10 small ones and created a brine solution by heating the
water and lots of stiring.  I then washed another group in this and dried
them off.  24 hours later they are dull but without the dust.  They have
also now been dipped in mineral oil.

I will let you know in a couple of months if there is any difference between
the ones washed in water and those in the brine solution.

With our hot summers and high humidity, the dehumidifier in my basement runs
contantly from May to October.  I consider it acceptable if I can keep it
down to 60 or 70%.  With that level of humidity I think that my only option
is to make use of the mineral oil to preserve the Hanksites.

Tim made an excellent point that if any are passed on to other collectors, I
have a responsiblilty to inform them that they have been oiled and will
probably require more treatment in the future.   Personally, there has been
a few mineral purchases at shows that soured later at home when I realized
they had been oiled, glued, enhanced and otherwise messed with!  If you are
selling Fluorite that has been oiled to hide the bumps and scrapes, just
label it "Fluorite and Oil".

Take care.
Mark Stanley
Norwood, Ontario, Canada