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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster (Read 7402 times)
JoeM
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Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Mar 3rd, 2014 at 9:37pm
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Yes, I think this should be posted in this category because of the "unusual" part. Smiley
And some of you might even enjoy seeing it. Wink

This is an unusual cluster from the Super Bowl Pocket.
I have been slowly picking at it and cleaning it just waiting for the central "thing"
to fall apart or, at the very least, separate from the base.
Some would, and have, called this cluster ugly.
That's being a little harsh.
I think just the other "extra" crystals that have come off of it in the cleaning process
justify any further time and energy expenditures.

Here are previously posted pics.
In the first pic two of the "extra" crystals have been cleaned
and are sitting on the cluster.
And then close-ups of the extra crystals.


  

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DSCN0133.JPG ( 167 KB | 127 Downloads )
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DSCN0048_001.JPG ( 181 KB | 157 Downloads )
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JoeM
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Re: Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Reply #1 - Mar 3rd, 2014 at 9:43pm
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So here's the "Big Ugly" before and after removing all the clay
from the front and a quick, preliminary, soak in oxalic.
  

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DSCN0031.JPG ( 167 KB | 109 Downloads )
DSCN0031.JPG
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JoeM
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Re: Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Reply #2 - Mar 3rd, 2014 at 9:48pm
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Next thing was to cut the bottom flat so it would sit properly
and display it's best features.
  

DSCN0356.JPG ( 178 KB | 147 Downloads )
DSCN0356.JPG
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JoeM
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Re: Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Reply #3 - Mar 3rd, 2014 at 9:54pm
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It's pretty obvious that the clear broken crystal point
pointing into the bottom of the base, "should" be the next piece of the puzzle to go.
But it feels pretty firm so I have to start by working my way up
under the front.
All those pieces in the front feel pretty firm.

(And yes, I always save my used X-acto tool blades.
When they get dull they are perfect for jobs like this.)
  

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DSCN0368.JPG ( 187 KB | 159 Downloads )
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JoeM
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Re: Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Reply #4 - Mar 3rd, 2014 at 9:58pm
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Here's a shot around the side of it,
and a couple more just for the heck of it.
  

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DSCN0382.JPG ( 173 KB | 145 Downloads )
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DSCN0383.JPG ( 252 KB | 143 Downloads )
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JoeM
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Re: Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Reply #5 - Mar 3rd, 2014 at 10:03pm
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So here we are.......
I could stick the X-acto behind the whole mess and see what happens..?
But I'm kindof thinking this is the way the piece is supposed to be.
The top and whole side of this crystal were broken away and this
waterfall of healing crystals rushed in to pave the way.

For now, she's soaking.......... Wink
  

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DSCN0395.JPG ( 200 KB | 127 Downloads )
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JoeM
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Re: Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Reply #6 - Mar 5th, 2014 at 9:07pm
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After 2 days in oxalic I pulled the piece out and the crystal
still did not want to budge easily.
I decided that's the way the piece was going to be and started
a final cleaning with a toothbrush,
and the crystal fell off............
  

DSCN0472.JPG ( 187 KB | 136 Downloads )
DSCN0472.JPG
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JoeM
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Re: Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Reply #7 - Mar 5th, 2014 at 9:10pm
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I'm glad it came off. There is nothing but clay and detritus under it.
Here are two pics.
One of beginning cleaning and one after about 30 minutes of pickin'.

  

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DSCN0481.JPG ( 169 KB | 126 Downloads )
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JoeM
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Re: Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Reply #8 - Mar 5th, 2014 at 9:13pm
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And now I think it's finally ready for it's final bath in oxalic.
  

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DSCN0489.JPG ( 173 KB | 131 Downloads )
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Scott LaBorde
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Re: Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Reply #9 - Mar 6th, 2014 at 8:00am
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Great documentation on the careful cleaning of that unique piece.  After seeing it cleaned up I can see why you've taken such interest in it.  Did that piece come out on the first day or second?  I was wondering if that was the bottom of the pocket piece.  I'm glad your using oxalic so that I can learn vicariously from you.

Scott
  

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JoeM
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Re: Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Reply #10 - Mar 7th, 2014 at 7:58pm
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Thanks, Scott. Smiley
This thread can be used later as an example of early "Warning Signs" of rockholism. Wink
But,yes, this "chunk" of clay came out either just before or just after noon on Monday.
I remember the top of the "thing" sticking out of the clay looked so ugly
you almost tossed it up on the bank.
I really wanted to get to the VERY bottom of it.  Grin

It's going to take a few months of experimentation with the oxalic no doubt.
I'll probably be pulling the "Big Ugly" out of the acid tomorrow for good.
I guess it would be proper enough to call the white coating on the front crystal Sericite.?

Sericite-  very fine, ragged grains and aggregates of white mica,
usually muscovite or phengite, produced by the alteration of feldspars or other minerals.

  
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JoeM
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Re: Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Reply #11 - Mar 12th, 2014 at 10:05pm
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Alright, it's done.
I have soaked and scratched and rinsed and soaked this piece for the last time
and I'm ready to pass it on.

Yes, just for the fun of it, I'm going to auction it off. Shocked
I don't know how many of the 20 or 30 members on the board will even notice this notice,
so we'll see how it goes.
I don't know why Scott and Mark think this "thing" is so ugly.
I look at it more as a crystalline record of a traumatic cataclysmic event that took place eons ago
and how nature has a way of healing it's own wounds. Roll Eyes
Even tho there are no pronounced phantoms this is still a
fantastic specimen of Coopers Ridge quartz crystal.
Because of the "documented" time I have put in on this piece
I can not part with it for less than $ 15.00. So the bidding starts at $15.
This does not include shipping because it's very possible that the winner,
if there is one,will be close enough to hand deliver.
If not, delivery will be added to the final winning bid.
Place your bids right here on the thread and bidding ends Midnight, Sunday, March 23.
May the best hound win! Smiley
Here are a few final shots of the cluster from different angles.

  

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DSCN0543.JPG ( 158 KB | 134 Downloads )
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DSCN0545.JPG ( 206 KB | 155 Downloads )
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Re: Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Reply #12 - Mar 15th, 2014 at 11:28am
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aww heck...surely its worth $15.25 as a "a crystalline record of a traumatic cataclysmic event" so i'm starting there.

Hope you all are finding good stuff out there today.

-Dave
  
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JoeM
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Re: Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Reply #13 - Mar 15th, 2014 at 5:02pm
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That's the spirit, dave! Smiley
but I'm not wrapping it up for you yet. Wink
  
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JoeM
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Re: Cleaning a Crazy Coopers Cluster
Reply #14 - Mar 23rd, 2014 at 8:58pm
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3 more hours! Cheesy

You can bid again if you want to, dave. Roll Eyes
  
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