When first removed from the ground, the quartz crystal does not have the bright shimmering appearance one would normally find in a gem shop. Freshly excavated crystals or crystal clusters are often encased in clay or silt crusts and the quartz surface is coated with an oxide film. Quartz crystals must go through a three-step process to achieve a beautiful, shiny appearance. You'll need to remove light impurities from the crystal, soak the crystal to remove heavy dirt and discoloration, and sand the crystal until it sparkles.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Crystal Cleaning
Step 1. Remove any dirt or mud with an old toothbrush
You can get rid of the dirt on the crystals with the help of a toothbrush and water. Make sure you are working outdoors as dirt and mud can clog sink drains.
- Scrub the crystals to remove hardened dirt. You may need to clean the crystal several times and dry it with each round. Once your crystals are dry, the clay will be easier to clean.
- If the clay sticks firmly enough, try spraying the hose with maximum pressure. Like the process with a toothbrush, you need to repeat it several times a day so the crystals can dry between sessions.
Step 2. Soak the crystals in vinegar and washing ammonium to remove calcium carbonate, calcite, and barite
Crystals stained with these three substances can change color. Use vinegar and a home cleaner to get rid of these stains.
- Use enough vinegar so the crystals can be completely submerged. Let the crystals sit for 8-12 hours.
- Remove the crystals from the vinegar. Soak in washing ammonium for the same time. After that, remove from ammonium and rinse and wipe dry.
- You may have to repeat this process a few times if the stain persists after the crystal is first moistened.
Step 3. Use a diamond edge saw to cut off the excess material
There may still be a lot of unwanted material adhering to the quartz. You may also notice uneven edges. All of these defects can be cut using a diamond-edged saw, which can be purchased at a hardware store. Diamond edged saws are usually quite expensive, so try to borrow or rent this tool from someone else.
- Lubricate the crystals with a thin layer of mineral oil before starting.
- You don't need to saw the crystal or press the saw. Simply place the crystal under the saw and let the machine cut the crystal slowly.
- Cut out all the unwanted parts from the crystal. There may be some stubborn stained areas that need to be trimmed.
Part 2 of 3: Removing Stains
Step 1. Use water, a household cleaner, and bleach
The easiest and safest way to soak the crystals to remove stains is to use water and laundry detergent. You can soak the crystals overnight. If the crystals are light, it's best to soak them overnight in a mixture of water and dish soap or laundry detergent.
- Use a combination of warm water and laundry detergent to clean the crystals. Use a soft washcloth to scrub the remaining dirt off the crystals.
- After that, prepare a container that can be closed easily and firmly, such as Tupperware. Fill a container with warm water and cup bleach. Place the gems in the bleach, close the container, and store in a safe place for 2 days.
Step 2. Try using oxalic acid for heavily stained crystals
If the crystal has stains that are more than just dirt and oil, such as discoloration from iron, use oxalic acid to clean the gem. Oxalic acid is also known as wood bleach, and can be purchased online or at hardware stores. We recommend buying a 500 gram bag of oxalic acid and a 4 liter container. Make sure the container is not made of a material that can corrode acid. This means that metal containers cannot be used to store oxalic acid.
- Fill the container until full with distilled water. After that, pour the oxalic acid into the container. Wear a mask so you don't inhale the fumes of the acid. You should also work outdoors.
- Stir the acid in the container. Use a long stick or spoon to stir until the acid is completely dissolved. Then, add the quartz crystal. There is no fixed waiting time for soaking quartz in oxalic acid. Depending on the stain on the crystal, it can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. Check your crystal periodically and remove it when the stain is gone.
Step 3. Handle the acid with care
You should take some extreme precautions before handling oxalic acid. This acid should only be used if the stain on the quartz is very heavy. It would be safer if you could just use bleach and water. If forced to use oxalic acid, take the following precautions:
- Wear eye protection, gloves, and a face mask before handling oxalic acid.
- You MUST pour the acid into the water. DO NOT pour water on the acid as it is dangerous.
- Ask a friend or family member for help.
- Make sure your work area is protected and work carefully to prevent acid from spilling out. It's a good idea to have baking soda ready as it can neutralize acid spills.
Step 4. Rinse the crystals
After the stain on the crystal is gone, rinse thoroughly. Make sure you wear gloves, a mask, and eye protection if you handle oxalic acid. Rinse off any remaining bleach or acid with warm water to help remove any remaining dirt.
Part 3 of 3: Sanding and Smoothing Quartz
Step 1. Prepare the right materials
Once your crystal is clean and smudge-free, it's time to sand it down to make it smooth and shiny. To do this, you will need the following equipment:
- 50. grade sanding paper
- 150. grade sanding paper
- Sandpaper grade 300 to 600
Step 2. Put on safety glasses, gloves and an air mask
When sanding, dust and powder from the crystals can fly and irritate the nose, mouth and eyes. Make sure you wear protective eyewear, gloves and an air mask when polishing quartz.
Step 3. Rub the quartz with grade 50 sandpaper
You should start with medium sandpaper. Gently rub the sandpaper over the surface of the crystal.
Make sure you scrub consistently. Don't let one part of the crystal be finer than the other
Step 4. Continue by sanding the stone using a grade 150 sandpaper, then continue with the smoothest sandpaper
Sanding must be done starting from the roughest sandpaper to the smoothest gradually. After finishing scrubbing with grade 50 paper, continue with grade 150, and then continue with grade 300-6000 sandpaper.
- Again, gently rub the entire surface of the stone
- Make sure you smooth out any blemishes or discoloration in the stone.
- When you're done, your crystal should look bright, clear, and shiny.
Step 5. Clean and rub the stone using a soft cloth
After sanding the stone, use a soft cloth to add a crystal shine. Rub a soft damp cloth against the stone. Remove any remaining dust from the sanding process, then allow the crystals to dry. By now, your quartz crystal should be clean and shiny.
Warning
- Always wear rubber gloves when handling oxalic acid, whether in liquid or powder form. This material is highly caustic and causes chemical burns if it touches the skin.
- Never heat oxalic acid indoors. The fumes of this acid are very strong and can cause irritation if the room does not have good airflow.
