How do I clean Fluorite specimens from the field trip to the Ballard Mine outside Sweetwater, TN.?
Cleaning up our fluorite specimens I put some of the pieces in a hot solution of oxalic acid for about 5 to 15 minutes to remove some of the iron oxide staining. Although I was concerned that some of the carbonate material wouldn’t make it, everything seemed to hold up. I was a able to remove much of the iron oxide from the pieces, even from the delicate drusey stuff sprinkled on the fluorite. (Another response) You might want to mention that cleaning most Fluorite in hot water will ruin the luster! Question: Muriatic acid is highly dangerous if it comes in contact with your skin or you breathed in the fumes! One should not use the container again for anything BUT this purpose. Please follow the following link for a more comprehensive discussion on the use of toxic chemicals to clean mineral specimens!
