Shop Tips
Do they work and are they safe? Who knows? I haven't tried them.
(Our disclaimer.)
Cleaning Quartz:
One way to clean quartz and amethyst crystal that does not involve dangerous acids is to cover them with fresh vinegar and remove the carbonates such as calcite, barite, and lime, allowing the crystals to stand overnight in the vinegar. Repeat if necessary. Wash well, and then place the crystal in washing ammonia for 8 to 12 hours. Remove, rinse, and wipe.From Oregon Rockhound Bulletin 1/11
Glossy Tiger Eye:
To get a gloss finish on Tiger’s Eye, polish once, then dry, and then put a drop of vinegar on it. Leave a couple minutes and give it a second polish. Results should be the deep finish you want.From Rock Rollers 1/11, via The Petrified Digest
Splitting Rocks?:
Drive your chisel through a rag when splitting a rock. It will keep those chips from flying and may save an eye.From Rock Rollers 1/11; via Rock Licker 5/08
Undercutting
Are you having trouble with undercutting while working with plume Agate? If so, the problem can often be remedied by reducing the speed of your sanding and polishing operation. The plumes are composed of a softer material than the host agate and sand more quickly, thereby causing the undercutting. If you can reduce the speed to about one-half the normal, this problem should be eliminated. In addition, use cerium oxide on a leather wheel for the final polish attempting to avoid excess heat. From The Palomar Gem, date unknown via Rockhound Rambling, April, 1984, Umpqua Gem June 2009
First Aid Trip Tip
Never count on Band- Aids that get cooked in a car. I keep maybe 5-10 in a sandwich bag and I'm quick to replace them, especially before going rockhounding or on a long trip. Use cloth bandages (no adhesive) and gauze. I also keep a couple rolls of adhesive tape (cloth type) in the First aid kit. They last much longer than band aids when cooked in a car's heat. I figure they are good for a couple of seasons including summer. They may get sticky, but they'll still work. Oh yeah, covering your fingertips with adhesive tape can help protect them from broken rock shards like quartz flakes. From Rockhound list server via The Tumbler, March 2008, The Kyana Gemscoop, 8/07, Beehive Buzzer 4/08 and S.C.R.I.B.E. CD 2009
Ten Commandments of Using Acid
1. Never add acid to water.
2. Always keep a container of water nearby for neutralizing solutions in case of a spill.
3. Never use acid with bleach.
4. Always use acids in well ventilated areas.
5. Always us inferior specimens for experimentation.
6. Always treat a spill as if it is the worst acid you are using.
7. Always use protective clothing and us proper equipment.
8. Always neutralize acid solutions before disposing of them.
9. Always use and store acids carefully, well labeled and out of reach of children.
10. Always practice common sense. From Del Air Bulletin date unknown via Morola 1/01 Umpqua Gem 6/0
Jewelry Care, Tips
- Wear pearls frequently to absorb natural skin oils to give them greater luster. Put pearls on after applying cosmetics, perfume, and hair spray.
- Opals are sensitive to extreme temperatures so avoid very hot or cold weather, direct sunlight, or dish washing.
- Have emeralds oiled by a jeweler every few years to maintain beauty.
From S.C.R.I.B.E. 2009 CD, Via Cutting Remarks 3/98, via Burrow Express 4/98
Scratches
Don't be satisfied with scratches in yourcabochon. Go back to the sanding wheel again. When stone is properly polished, you can read the reflection from the bottom of an overhead light bulb in the high polish of your stone. To work out the flat spot in cab, mark across the stone with aluminum pencil. When properly ground and shaped, you will have erased the cross and flat spot.
From S.C.R.I.B.E 2009 CD, via.Ft. Lewis Rock Club News, by Dug Dugger, via The Nisqually Rockhounder, 1/01. |
