Collecting Rocks and Minerals - Part 3.

Transporting Specimens.

The number of specimens destroyed or damaged in the course of the journey home can be disappointingly large. Wrapping of some sort is essential for most specimens, whether they are being carried in a rucksack or a car.

Some collectors use cloth or plastic specimen bags, but many specimens are resilient enough for newspaper to provide adequate protection. If you are using newspaper, delicate specimens need to be wrapped in tissue first. After wrapping them individually, place the specimens in your rucksack with crumpled paper between them to prevent them from damaging each other. If you find more specimens than you expect and your wrapping material is used up, try leaves, grass or pine needles as a natural alternative - they are better than nothing.

If specimens are wet when they are wrapped, unwrap them and let them dry out as soon as you get home. Extremely delicate specimens may deteriorate if left wet for long. Also packing material that has got wet and then dried can be difficult to remove. Some materials are totally unsuitable for wrapping. Cotton wool should be kept entirely away from specimens, as the fibres are almost impossible to remove. Cellulose wadding is not recommended either. If it remains damp for any period, the cellulose can stick to specimens and may be difficult to get off.

Cleaning Specimens.

As a general rule, clean specimens as little as possible, starting with the gentlest methods. Try out your chosen cleaning method on your least valued specimen first to see what happens. Begin by using a brush to remove loose dirt and debris, possibly aided by pointed tools. Hard rock specimens such as gneiss or granite are unlikely to be damaged by rigorous cleaning, but with delicate minerals such as calcite crystals, it is essential to use a fine brush.

Washing a specimen may seem an obvious recourse, but remember that some minerals dissolve or disintegrate in water. Never use hot water, as the heat may cause minerals to crack or shatter. Alcohol is often used to clean borates, nitrates and sulphates, while certain acids are suitable to clean specific minerals. Weak hydrochloric acid is good for cleaning silicates. If you do use acids, seek specific information on their use from specialised books or from another collector, and always be aware of the risks involved. Aside from the serious hazard of acid burns, even the fumes released by some of them are toxic.

Soaps should be avoided, but if you must use them, choose liquid dishwashing soap rather than hand or toilet soap, as these have additives which can penetrate specimens. The use of ultrasonic cleaners is not recommended, as they can shatter specimens even at low intensities.

(Source: DK Publishing: Rocks and Minerals. Photo courtesy of Google Images.)

Next week, we will be taking a look at the preservation, storage and display of minerals. In the meantime, feel free to browse The Emporium and maybe add to your own collection of your beloved Marble Eggs!