Collecting Cool Rocks! Minerals, Crystals, Fossils, Geodes, etc.

[CluckNDoodle]

BTW, I may have found a uniquely shaped piece of wood that has potential.

OMGEEEE!!!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Here is my collection. The pieces I collected myself are in the bottom left tub, the tub above that, and the two tubs in the bottom right. They all came from Wickenburg, Arizona. A family member had someone slice and polish the geode on the bottom right for me. The rest were purchased: most in kits/sets, and some at rock shops. View attachment 2679996

Very nice! I love the desert rose and the sharks teeth. Very cool.

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

That depends on what stone it is. These are all in a glass display cabinet so they don't need much in the way of cleaning. Just occasionally dusting.
Initial cleaning for raw materials I've used anything from water, vinegar, sand paper, and even acid. Like I said, it just depends on what it is because each stone will respond differently to chemicals and some are water soluble so you have to get creative.

This is my DH's, given as a gift before I met him and... I've never seen it clean.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

This is my DH's, given as a gift before I met him and... I've never seen it clean.

View attachment 2680990

Sometimes there are inclusions inside the quartz that can't be removed. You can only clean off what is on the outside but with really stubborn quartz that I couldn't clean by any other means, I did an acid bath.

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

Sometimes there are inclusions inside the quartz that can't be removed. You can only clean off what is on the outside but with really stubborn quartz that I couldn't clean by any other means, I did an acid bath.

I am not sure what type of rock it is but would a toothbrush with water do the trick?

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

I am not sure what type of rock it is but would a toothbrush with water do the trick?

Sorry if it's a silly question

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I am not sure what type of rock it is but would a toothbrush with water do the trick?

You could try it! It looks like quartz to me so it won't dissolve or anything.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I am not sure what type of rock it is but would a toothbrush with water do the trick?

It could be heat treated citrine too if it's an orange/rust color.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

After you clean it, take it outside to take another picture. It will show the colors better.

 

[Silviaschicks]

I have a small collection, most of them are bought but some I found. Here are a few of my favorite findings:

Found a few of these, found all the agate, found most of the geodes, found the hemimorphite

found some of the smaller amethyst, found this huge amber, found all the quartz

I also have a few shark teeth and ray's comb fossils, but I can't find them at the moment

Here's a rock I found in Hawaii; it's a volcanic rock with crystals trapped inside: