DrogaMleczna Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Hi I have syringopora coral that I want to make more visible. Right now most of it is buried in limestone. I don't want to remove all matrix, just make "tubes" more visible and appealing. Will soaking it in white vinegar do the job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranzBernhard Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 No*, if both the corallites and the matrix are composed of calcium carbonate. @DPS Ammonite *Well, there are always exceptions. It is unlikely that the tubes become more exposed, but it may result in nice contrast between tubes and matrix. Or not. If this is your only specimen, I would leave it as it is. I like it the way it is! Franz Bernhard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabfossilsteve Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 I agree, leave it as is / or polish it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrogaMleczna Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 1 hour ago, crabfossilsteve said: I agree, leave it as is / or polish it. How do I polish it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Take the piece to a lapidary who has the equipment. Have him polish a 'window' on one side to see the pattern of growth. http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrogaMleczna Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 37 minutes ago, Harry Pristis said: Take the piece to a lapidary who has the equipment. Have him polish a 'window' on one side to see the pattern of growth. Most places are closed here, so it might not be possible. How can I do it myself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 13 minutes ago, DrogaMleczna said: Most places are closed here, so it might not be possible. How can I do it myself? Lapidaries are commonly hobbyists. Find your local geology/rockhounding club (check with your local library), to see if there is someone who will help you. http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 3 hours ago, DrogaMleczna said: How can I do it myself? If you don't have any lapidary equipment, then you'll have to do it by hand, which would take you a very long time. Use wetordry sandpaper starting with 80 coarse grit and working up over various grades of finer grit sandpaper to at least 1000grit. Then polish it using a mineral polishing compound. You will need a lot of patience. Maybe if you google 'mineral sanding and polishing by hand' you could find some good instructions. 1 Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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