WHAT'S INSIDE? DISSOLVING A ROCK WITH VINEGAR TO EXPOSE CRYSTALS

Рет қаралды 76,177

6 жыл бұрын

What's inside? Finding a cool looking rock and then dissolving the calcite out of it with white vinegar to expose crystals in one week.

Пікірлер: 142

@user-jp1cg5bu1s 6 жыл бұрын

I wish you the wonderful luck that you are an expert and we benefit from your experience, you are a professional and fun person

@round51 6 жыл бұрын

I often wonder about isolated rocks like those sitting on top of boulders. Makes me think of and old prospector sitting there 100yr ago high grading his samples.

@brianmontgomery6184 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! What a great find!

@diamondpeakproductions Жыл бұрын

Thanks. I’m a novice with a good eye, I’ve been told. I’m learning how to clean what, to not create dangerous chem reactions and your video was a great aid. I’m gonna save for reference. Thank you greatly, WalkINBeauty. 🎉

@whiyte4807 6 жыл бұрын

Wow your so lucky. I live in Florida and it's really hard to find rocks and stuff like that. All I can find is calcite, concrete, and sand.

@JacqueGonzalesTube 6 жыл бұрын

Very cool progression!!!

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@lmartin23 5 жыл бұрын

Omg that's humongous! What a beauty!

@CobaltOntarioadventures 6 жыл бұрын

Getting close to that 10K subscriber mark, Greig! Cool video, as always

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

Unbelievable eh?

@viddabroun8613 3 жыл бұрын

Whenever I etch Calcite off things I always soak the rock in clean water for a few days first and let it soak up as much water as possible that way the pores in the stone are full of water not vinegar, it takes a long time for the smell to disipate and, for example, I have a Djurleite specimen I etched from Natrolite, I didn't presoak it and even now after about 15 years the Copper in the Djurleite is still oxidising due to the acid still present in the host rock. I used Hydrochloric acid on that but the principal is the same.

@wind571evergreen 6 жыл бұрын

Interesting to watch the change. Good job!

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

I went to 2 universities for business and law. Later I took courses for computer programming and then project management. None of which are useful for my hobbies. ;-)

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

So true! The geology courses that I took at University (as electives) were really boring. I did take a hands-on weekend prospecting course and that was way more interesting. I met a guy who learned explosives and spent his career blowing things up at active mines all over the world. That would have been great!

@StalkeraBg 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this, brings alot of pleasant childhool memories from digging river pebbles. :) I live in a city that main income was mining, and yet it never once occured to me i can actually dissolve the rocks to get amazing spider webs from the mineral crystallization. Cant decide between rare minerals or extremely rare fossils, both are at 200 kms away.

@meMiner 5 жыл бұрын

I like minerals over fossils, but would agree that both are fun to find.

@symonsheppard5519 6 жыл бұрын

I left that there to,pick up on our return after spike and I had been for a walk, spike was really annoyed and I have three quills in my leg to prove it, lol. Nice find Greig, came out really nice, still getting lots of helpful advice I see, very nice of them, and one serious admirer too! Well I'm going to finish my breakfast and nice glass of freshly squeezed muriaticade, spike is just finishing off his favourite bowl of sizzling feldspar in white vinegar. For those who don't know spike is a porcupine that Greig found evidence of and is a figment of my imagination. Please don't try my recipes at home you will,probably die, it's just silly conversation. Stay safe you rugged looking man you! lol

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

Amy just got a hedgehog as a pet. She named it "spike". Daisy wants to play with it, but that can only end badly for one of them.

@symonsheppard5519 6 жыл бұрын

meMiner Ha,ha,ha, for real! We had one my brother rescued when he worked on a farm, far more years ago than I care to mention. We called him piglet, they are often referred to as hedge pigs. Fed him on dog food amongst other things, he got quite friendly and roamed freely upstairs in my sisters room, he even used a litter tray, funny little thing always sniffing around, let you pick him up when he got used to us. The only problem I can foresee is, if they are anything like uk hedgehogs they are infested with fleas.

@Rookie_Rockounding 6 жыл бұрын

Very cool, a nice delicate etching process dude. Do you think Citric Acid do a similar thing to calcite?

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

Citric should do the same, but is more expensive.

@Rookie_Rockounding 6 жыл бұрын

meMiner Ohhh rad, yeah cheaper is better, it looks nice and gentle too. Thanks man!

@addiejames746 5 жыл бұрын

Love your videos! I've never seen anyone use the vinegar cleaning method. I'm trying it on a few specimens as I write this! Hoping they turn out as beautifully as yours did :)

@meMiner 5 жыл бұрын

good luck!

@sweetvonbettie1 4 жыл бұрын

How do you polish these and make them shiny?

@nathalieblackwell4241 6 жыл бұрын

Love it love it your having to much fun

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@larissahope9270 6 жыл бұрын

Can't get enough of your videos! I've been learning so much from them so thank you for that. I have a rock that I've etched which is made up of a lot of pyrite, some amphibole and tremolite (I believe). Even after etching, it has a greenish-black matte film which covers most of the rock. When I use a toothbrush I can get tiny, tiny amounts of the film off but it's not enough. Due to the delicate pyrite crystals I can't use anything extremely abrasive or big. Do you have any suggestions on how I can clean this rock up?

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

I hate recommending chemicals for single samples, in case something goes horribly wrong. That said, here would be my approach. I would change out my etching solution and container so everything is clean, then etch it again very quickly just to see if I could remove the film. I have had something in dirty solution which coats my rock. If that doesn't work, I would try a different chemical. If I had etched with HCL, I would put it into vinegar for half a day. If I thad etched with vinegar, then I would try super iron out and then maybe HCL. I would just play with it. Let me know what happens.

@larissahope9270 6 жыл бұрын

meMiner Thank you so much for your response and advice! I took the rock to a rock show yesterday and it had everyone stumped as to what it is. Most thought what I thought was pyrite was copper and given the blueish/greenish tint this would make a lot of sense, however there is also some areas that are more gold in colour so I think for now I will leave it alone! I'm just a rookie so I think that is best for now lol

@TreeLynnT 3 жыл бұрын

He's awesome isn't he?

@TreeLynnT 3 жыл бұрын

@@meMiner Can you eye a piece for me plz? I need a trained eye.

@leannkennedy6568 6 жыл бұрын

I like these "what's inside" videos. I'd love to see a big fat nugget of gold staring back.

@stevetreloar6602 6 жыл бұрын

He did a video with some calcite hosted gold some time back. He liberated it with some crushing.

@karenkozak2068 6 жыл бұрын

Do you use the regular vinegar from Wally's or, the extra strength? Would that be too strong? It says not for consumption and for cleaning only.

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

This is just the cheapest white vinegar that I can find and it was from Wally's. It is about 5% acid. The stronger stuff works faster but is a bit expensive.

@xAliceisAlivex 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome!

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks much!

@mariasulbaran1409 3 жыл бұрын

it is so pretty!!

@stewdeezie1212 4 жыл бұрын

This is pretty cool. I've seen a number of rocks that you've put in just vinegar and saw the result of a little patience. Do you think salt in the vinegar would speed up tr process or would the chemical combination possibly harm the rocks?

@meMiner 4 жыл бұрын

Chemically, salt should help but I didn't notice a significant difference when I tried. What can speed things up significantly is heat and for sure it is slower if I etch outside in the winter.

@stewdeezie1212 4 жыл бұрын

Good to know, thanks!

@KhanJan-sf1wl Ай бұрын

Very nice 👍👍

@ClaytonCountyHistoryHound 6 жыл бұрын

That was really cool. I'm going to try that on some of the rocks in my area. I've noticed large clear crystals stuck in limestone. Thanks for sharing. Take care and be safe.

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

This method will work really well on limestone. As long as the crystal is not something that will also dissolve.

@clairebeane3455 4 жыл бұрын

meMiner I know I’m late to the party, but I have a question regarding what types of crystal dissolve in vinegar. I’ve hounded all my life cuz my daddy was quite the aficionado when it came to rocks and precious metals, but as a kid I never really paid attention. I was a kid, what can I say? 😂 But I live in a fantastic spot for it (Oregon coast, Netarts/Oceanside. Taking my nephew out hounding today and because of your videos I have been more adventurous with regard to what I pick up now. I just dropped some rocks in a vinegar solution two days ago and some of the results have been stupendous!! But I am a novice and don’t want to ruin what I have so any counsel you have will be heeded with deep devotion. Mahalo. 😊

@freeleonardpeltier4148 2 жыл бұрын

Do you facilitate private digs? If not, would you consider letting me join ? Your knowledge is priceless. Thanks man.

@meMiner 2 жыл бұрын

I would be a horrible guide. I do this for fun.

@Bizz420 6 жыл бұрын

Is the vinegar less harmful then hydrochloric acid as far as harming the host rock? I find hydrochloric acid does a lot of damage to host rocks as well..

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

It works slower and is a different acid, so the answer is "it depends". However, if HCL harms your rock, then usually so will vinegar.

@baenaga123 3 жыл бұрын

Sir I have sone silver n gold color stone that found is bolder stone can you please help me what is that stone n I look shining⭐✨

@kentharper3717 6 жыл бұрын

I always love these vids lol, there is just something in me that enjoys the mystery of "is there more to this rock" lol...well sept for the 2 pieces i etched (a 3lb blue calcite and one thats white an has a barely visible orange/red/pink hue to one side...being colorblind i'm not entirely sure which of those colors it actually is haha) so my goal is to hopefully find some i can etch more

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

While there is orange calcite, I have seen white calcite get an orange stain from HCL.

@electrichellion5946 22 күн бұрын

How do you rinse the vinegar off. Soak in water or gently flowing water or right from the faucet\dish sprayer?

@meMiner 20 күн бұрын

Either works fine. Vinegar is a very weak acid, especially after it has been working on rocks for a while (gets weaker). Water dilutes it. If you want to completely stop the acid, then add a bit of baking soda, but I don't bother.

@richardwarnock2789 6 жыл бұрын

Wow look at those Rays MeMiner Cruise!!, Anyhue Nice Crystal's looking cool after it was eaten away more!!, Thanks!!!😎

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

Mission Impossible: Fallout!

@steve20664 5 жыл бұрын

Cool , you ever done any disolving of fossils or will the just disappear too. We have some cool finds from our Scottish coastline.

@meMiner 5 жыл бұрын

Acid works on some fossils if they are silica and the material to be removed is carbonate.

@Astro-Alice 5 жыл бұрын

very cool! i love your videos! i want to know more about etching compounds =)

@meMiner 5 жыл бұрын

Probably the place to start is Google "mineral solubility", for a chart of what acids affect different minerals. Some of the acids are only to be used under lab conditions as they can be very nasty (I avoid those ones). Stay safe.

@TheBrianna1431 2 жыл бұрын

Can I use this method with other stones. Like larimar for example???🙏

@meMiner 2 жыл бұрын

Larimar is a silica, so it shouldn't be affected. This will work if the the other material is affected. Best to experiment with a small sample.

@kaloyanberberov3306 6 жыл бұрын

To get rid of moss or lichens you can use bleach, ammonia or hydrogen peroxide. I have few specimens of ilmenite in quartz - on the surface of the quartz there are a lot of lichens. I'll try using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) - will tell the results. And of coarse another interesting video. I love your channel . It's like a small community for rockhounders! Have a great day!

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

Great Advice! Thanks

@kaloyanberberov3306 6 жыл бұрын

To those who don't know - use only one chemical from above. DON'T mix bleach and ammonia.

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

For sure. In fact, don't use any chemical or mix chemicals unless you learn about them and know how they interact. There can be some nasty unsafe results.

@theresagrace8946 5 жыл бұрын

Is this something you can do with fossil type rocks? Petoskey stones for example? Also would apple cider vinegar work the same/as well as the white? Thanks for your videos!

@meMiner 5 жыл бұрын

It should work fine. Try it first on a sample that you are willing to sacrifice.

@theresagrace8946 5 жыл бұрын

meMiner I'll give it a try! I'm learning so much from watching your videos!! Also thank you for replying!

@meMiner 5 жыл бұрын

Let me know what happens. Good luck.

@theresagrace8946 5 жыл бұрын

meMiner first try was honeycomb coral fossil in vinegar. A lot of bubbles, it worked very quickly. Within 4 hours I took it out. Cleaned it up nicely although it's pretty dry feeling now. 2nd try, I placed a Petoskey stone in for hour, removed and soaked in water, and today will vinegar for another hour.

@LBurhenn 5 жыл бұрын

If you were to display that piece on a shelf or something would you spray it with a clearcoat or something to help it stay together?

@meMiner 5 жыл бұрын

I don't use clear coat on any of my samples.

@LBurhenn 5 жыл бұрын

So is there any trick to keep them from crumbling apart when setting them up for display?

@meMiner 5 жыл бұрын

Good question. Better rocks? Not everything can be saved. The only other solution that I know is to keep some of the host rock on the crystals, so I have a cluster rather than fragile crystal.

@jeremygrady1107 3 жыл бұрын

Ok great. You melted away calcite, but what do you do with the remains?

@meMiner 2 жыл бұрын

Rocks with exposed crystals go on display. Marginal rocks into my garden

@fogogin 6 жыл бұрын

I’ve noticed that you don’t seem to use HCL that much anymore. Any reason? Was is too aggressive?

@ConWillKickYou 6 жыл бұрын

Fogogin I pretty sure it is a precaution to not damage certain crystals since HCL will dissolve much quicker. Vinegar is probably cheaper as well. The wait is worth it.

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

My story is a bit simpler. I haven't found many rocks recently to etch, so don't have any HCL on hand. I should pick some up, just in case I find something worthwhile.

@kegluwen 5 жыл бұрын

How often did you have to change the vinegar out?

@meMiner 5 жыл бұрын

It depends on the rock and your patience. I know one fellow who leaves his rocks for 3 weeks without a change. I do it much more often, like 24 hours. If the rock has quite a bit of material to dissolve, then it may require replacement more often.

@fmthebaron 3 жыл бұрын

Can you add baking soda to the vinegar for a better clean?

@meMiner 3 жыл бұрын

That would be counter productive. Vinegar is an acid. Baking soda would neutralize the acid. You can add salt and heat to the vinegar.

@adilsonferreiraaventurasegarim 5 жыл бұрын

Show,,,👏👏

@vaultdueller623 6 жыл бұрын

The ”WHAT'S INSIDE?” videos are very good. Have you tried coca-cola instead of of vinegar? I might be wrong, but I remember reading somewhere it having lower PH value than vinegar.

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

I have tired cola but with poor results. It probably depends on they type of rock you are etching. It contains a bit of citric acid, but the main one in cola that works on rocks is phosphoric acid. On the other hand, vinegar is acetic acid.

@vaultdueller623 6 жыл бұрын

Good to know.

@20greeneyes20 5 жыл бұрын

Me, would you show us your rock collection some time. If you already did sorry I missed it. Do you make anything with the rocks you find?

@FuturesPast1 5 жыл бұрын

Sandy made a great suggestion. We would all love to see your collection. Could you make a video showing us one day?

@meMiner 5 жыл бұрын

That would be a good video.

@mikanoname6120 11 ай бұрын

I’ve use peroxide before but found it wasn’t too helpful. I’ve tried the vinegar and found it did break up more material before I chipped away

@meMiner 11 ай бұрын

Different acids affect different minerals (affected, silghtly affected or not affected). There are charts called mineral solubility tables that you can look up.

@warrior-wm8vb 3 жыл бұрын

Tou just helped me alot my friend ty

@meMiner 3 жыл бұрын

good good I just put some silver ore into acid overnight to see what happens. I should end up with an interesting nugget when the calcite is removed.

@symonsheppard5519 6 жыл бұрын

Meant to say it seem there is going to be lots of mining activity in old areas as cobalt is back on the menu for the next generation of batteries replacing the internal combustion engine.

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

There are lots of new claims and exploration going on for sure.

@symonsheppard5519 6 жыл бұрын

meMiner I caught a snippet on one of the financial programs, lion nicad batteries are the way to go apparently and cobalt is needed, they also said cobalt had been a byproduct in a lot of mines in Canada, so they may even go over the tailings.

@bee4pcgoldrule592 6 жыл бұрын

Who knew vinegar works so well.

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

It is good stuff, as long as you have the patience.

@karma4872 2 жыл бұрын

So vinegar and patience

@taniamaria163 6 жыл бұрын

Linda!!!

@TreeLynnT 3 жыл бұрын

Karen!

@TreeLynnT 3 жыл бұрын

😂

@blackdog.6398 6 жыл бұрын

Him naked dolls with a missing leg hum ?h ..¿how many types of square crystals are there ...?thank you it was nice ...

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

Square is an unusual shape to naturally form and I love to see it in rock. For that reason, I also like pyrite.

@killmimes 7 ай бұрын

Instead of adding more vinegar, You are better off throwing that old neutralized vinegar out. And starting off with fresh vinegar.

@LuisRivera-vv4qy 4 жыл бұрын

What happens if you leave it in the vinegar for a long time?

@meMiner 4 жыл бұрын

Eventually, the vinegar gets weak but that takes a few weeks.

@LuisRivera-vv4qy 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I’m very intrigued by this and I’ve been watching all your videos to learn from you. I’m subscribing thanks bud 🙏 👍

@LuisRivera-vv4qy 4 жыл бұрын

Oh I almost forgot...does it damage your minerals or crystals?

@karma4872 2 жыл бұрын

I have this crystal rock that just falls apart, why?

@meMiner 2 жыл бұрын

Sometimes they do that. Especially ones that are weathered - been frozen and thawed too often is one explanation

@karma4872 2 жыл бұрын

@@meMiner I have so many rocks about to chuck them to the yard unless you can identify by a glance

@GrenvilleExcavator Жыл бұрын

Better throw that vinegar out, it expires tomorrow. Lol

@seancunningham7589 3 ай бұрын

Looks like black kryptonite

@ballerpro03 3 жыл бұрын

Does vinegar harm the crystals ?

@meMiner 3 жыл бұрын

There are minerals which are affected and others that aren't affected. The trick is to know what is inside your stone. If you lookup "mineral solubility table", you will see what should happen with various acids. Muriatic (HCL) seems to be similar to vinegar (just faster)

@ballerpro03 3 жыл бұрын

@@meMiner So certain stones are affected by different solutions depending on their M.S.T. Is that the same thing as getting a shiny surface like what you get when you take stones out of water or is that just grinding the surface

@meMiner 3 жыл бұрын

@@ballerpro03 No. The acid dissolves (etches) away certain minerals. Tumbling grinds away everything and then polishes the rounded stones.

@ballerpro03 3 жыл бұрын

@@meMiner hmm ok so the only way to remove that top layer preventing it from being shiny is to do some grinding or tumbling ?

@gkcooper 6 жыл бұрын

Chig brought me here

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

Welcome! Thanks for dropping by.

@yoshi4721 4 жыл бұрын

Ima do this. Maybe I can sell some rocks on eBay

@gregsmht40 6 жыл бұрын

Flipping rocks where I live pygmy rattlers copperhead scorpion. Just walking around is dangerous enough. Lol 🤣

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

Stay safe!

@1stTimeVenture 6 жыл бұрын

I had some questions i cant find answers too, cause i do not know the right words to use. The flat rock polish thing, that you use , the one you stuck hockey cards on. What is it called? where do i buy one? and why dont they sell hockey cards here in alabama? cause i do not like conventional sports. AKA football Baseball basketball..i am more of a hockey rugby guy..teams being the HAVOC, and Wallabies. All i can find in the way of rotary tumblers are the ones that take single barrels. I want one that is longer for at least 2 barrels at once..maybe up to 4...i am starting to think...i need to MAKEIT MORZAN...and make one using my knowledge to just build one that can do 2-8 barrels at once, adjustable for 3-9 pound barrels. Things i already have, TONS OF AMAZING AGATE that i want to polish, a tile saw, rock hammer

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

The machine is a vibratory lap, sometimes called an automatic vibrating lap. Lots of hockey cards for sale in Canada. We love our hockey. Good luck with your polishing. Agate is one of the best things to polish.

@bonniemoreland8558 6 жыл бұрын

👍💗👍💖👍

@karma4872 2 жыл бұрын

Almost gritty loose

@cathyd5277 6 жыл бұрын

Your cute with that scruffy look, awww! Glasses from Chigg? you know where he finds that stuff don't ya?, be careful, Ha! Ha! I know their cleaned (just kidding)...ha! ha!... The crystals are neat, shinny...couldn't catch what they are, calcite...turma??? What?

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

The base was calcite and that is what was removed. Regarding the glasses, here is the rest of the story: When we were metal detecting, I was wearing Ray Bans that I had found a few years ago. They were in somewhat rough shape with scratches on the lens'. He offered me this pair that he had found to replace them that he had in his truck.

@cathyd5277 6 жыл бұрын

meMiner That was nice...I was just kidding as I've watched afew videos where Chigg is in the river and found alot of glasses etc....then there were a dead cow, fish, etc....I just laughed thinking about that and he giving u sun glasses...lol!

@meMiner 6 жыл бұрын

His dive videos are the best! My wife introduced me to them about 10 years ago.

@cathyd5277 5 жыл бұрын

meMiner That's nice, 10 years is nice, you two always laugh...that's nice, everyone should be like you two.