Page 24 - lw3518

22 THE PAC IF IC. MINERALOGIST

the cementing material is calcite.
After the acid bath, it should be
washed and scrubbed in fresh water. A MERRY CHRISTMAS
Never attempt to dry gypsum by AND A
heating- the mineral will be decom-
posed and fall apart. Dry in · the HAPPY NEW YEAR
air or sunlight. TO ALL ROCK HOUNDS
I tried soaking gypsum in dilute
acid, (Hydrochloric), taking out a *
specimen every day or two. In 0. C. an•d. ZOLA BARNES
four days etching was noticeable
and in eight days it was objection- 1440 Wright St., Los Angeles, Calif.
able. Stronger acid would work fast- Phon,e PR. 1555
er, but the point I learned was that
the clinging mud was not loosened
any more than if water were used.
Concentrated sulphuric acid was E. A. T A Y L O· R
tried and of course it ruined the
specimens almost at once, turning Wholesale Gem Dealer
them white in less than an hour. 220 5th St., Los Angeles
In two days of this they fell to pieces.
MAdison 6 1 5 3
This is caused by loss of water from
the gypsum to the acid.
I can see no advantage in using
acid to clean gypsum; it is best to
1
soak in water, and scrub with a New and Used Jewelers Tools
brush. The soaking should not be
BOUGHT SO:LD and EXCH'ANGE'D
for weeks, as moss will grow and
it makes extra work to get it off. •
Skill is required to pick mud off UNUSUAL
with a knife as the mineral is easily
scratched or broken. A sharp stick JEWELERS SU PPL Y CO.
or toothpick may be used without •
scratching but is slower.
406 Metropo 1litan Brldg.
I always scrub my minerals in a
3 1 5 W. 5th Street Los Angeles
stream of running water, usually a
'stream from the garden hose nozzle, Phone MUtual 3681
just enough to flow the dirt off.

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