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Techniques for CollectorsHow to clean calcite and stubborn matrix dirt off of amethyst?

19th Aug 2017 16:53 UTCChristina Dimos

Hi there,

I have some gorgeous clusters of amethyst that unfortunately have unsightly calcite and dirt bits stuck between the crystals. When I say dirt, I don't mean dust/soil that can be easily wiped off, more like dense bits of other matrix rock that's been packed deep between the crystals. Any advice on how to lift these?

Thanks!

Christina

19th Aug 2017 17:02 UTCPaul De Bondt Manager

Christina, welcome to Mindat.

Amethyst quartz is among the less sencitive minerals to clean.

In your case, Hydrochloric acid or HCl will do the job for both.

Watch out for eyes and skin burns.

To neutralise, just use domestic Ammonia.

Good luck.

Paul.

19th Aug 2017 20:01 UTCBob Harman

What PAUL says will help, but a true and complete cleaning consists of the following.

First soak your specimen overnight in soapy water, using a splash of bleach if you want. Then after 24 - 48 hours give it a good rinse in a bucket or with a hose. Then clean off the calcite either with household vinegar or dilute HCl or muriatic acid (pool cleaner -- 28% HCl). Rinse well again and finally use water in a hi pressure cleaning gun to get into all the small spaces and crevices. Finally a good rinsing or soaking in clean water. Amethyst (quartz) being rather stout and resistant should clean up very well. CHEERS.....BOB

21st Aug 2017 15:53 UTCTim Jokela Jr

Pressure washers do a great job on amethyst. I recommend trying the mini versions, called spot cleaners, used by dry cleaners. If the material resists that, then you're reduced to picking away at it with toothpicks, pins, or, ideally, dental probes; but this can be risky, so be careful.

23rd Dec 2017 10:34 UTCBryan Gray

Perhaps a dental water pick you can grab at wallmart would be good place to meet in the middle, good for small locations with enough power to do the job buy not enough to damage anything.

24th Dec 2017 13:49 UTCEd Clopton 🌟 Expert

If the quartz continued to grow after the calcite crystals started to form or after the other "dirt" was deposited, etching the later deposits away could leave unattractive pits in the surface of the quartz crystals. This doesn't always happen, but it's worth testing an inconspicuous spot or a lower-quality specimen first to see what happens.

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