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How Do You Dissolve Rock Around a Garnet?


Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 221 Posts

I found some garnets at Garnet Hill near Ely, Nevada. We have been using vinegar, a wire brush, nail files, etc. trying to remove the rock around them so we can use them for jewelry. Any ideas on how to dissolve the rock without damaging the garnet would be appreciated.

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Silver Answer Medal for All Time! 425 Answers
June 13, 20201 found this helpful
Best Answer

Garnets from that area of Nevada are most likely in a matrix rock called Rhyolite. Rhyolite is the volcanic version of Granite. It is quite hard and not easily dissolved. You could try Muriatic acid, but USE EXTREME CAUTION handling it, and follow ALL precautions on the label. It should be safe to use on Garnets and clean them quite well. Before attempting using muriatic acid, do some searching on the web, read the precautions you'll need to take, and see if it is really something you want to attempt.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
June 14, 20200 found this helpful
Best Answer

If you visit a lot of rock sites they tell you to clean the rock with muriatic acid. It is also recommended to check on the region that the granet was found because in some regions they have small veins in the rock that could damage the rocks.

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I also know that it is possible to clean up granet in a rock tumbler. Have you tried tumbling the rocks to get off the excess rocks around the granet?

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 140 Posts
June 12, 20200 found this helpful

Here is a better how to's for those tough deposits - showmerockhounds.com/.../

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
June 15, 20200 found this helpful

Sounds like you had a nice trip.
I'm not familiar with this type of stone but I have used a rock tumbler for other stones and they turned out quite nice.

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Why don't you check out this You Tube video and some forums where regular people tell about their 'solutions'. You may change your mind about removing all of the rock formation.

www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=How...

www.leaf.tv/.../

www.mindat.org/mesg-360626.html

www.mindat.org/mesg-28893.html

 
June 13, 20210 found this helpful

I have at least 50 lb rock full of garnet, but trying any method to get to the gem, seems impossible

 

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