Deteriorating specimen

[starsapphire78]

 Hi all one of my specimens is  starting to fall apart is there any way , I can stop this ?

[Rusted]

Hmmm. A bit more detail would help a bit.
A lot more detail would help a lot.

What is the specimen?
What is happening?
Where are you storing it and under what conditions?


Rusted

[Lord_Thunda]

If its similar to one I picked up at the Silver Mine, I was told as it had been out in the elements for years & I'd brought it inside, it wasnt getting the moisture it may have needed & turned from a solid rock-like specimen to a pile of white powder.

[Gemster]

Some of the 'Bargain' Shops sell a little display case that you put Collectables in... You can seal these from the Air with Super Glue... They come in lots of sizes and are only about $5 each... One Sample from the Above mine, sent a Display Case White in a few days.... And yes Lord T, that White powder is Arsenic.. so wash your hands after handling...

 What type of 'Rock' are we talking about Starsapphire78?

  Gemster...

[starsapphire78]

 Thanks guys the specimen is calcite , it was pretty fragile when I found  it .To be honest I'm surprised it survived the trip home , the matrix  the cavities are is i s brown rock that crumbles to the touch ,I have it sitting on my computer desk , the specimen was found near a dirt pile not far from where I live . I'll take a photo and post it , thanks again for the help  and the advice

[Ghost]

Calcite, sitting on your computer desk.    Hmmm............. Do you drink lots of steaming coffee while sitting at your computer?

[starsapphire78]

 from time to time , well I think  it's calcite

[starsapphire78]

 I have added a picture of the specimen in question to the gallery

[Shivan]

Calcite does not like moist environments and will not react well to cleaning agents.

You could maybe look at giving it a coating of something to protect it if you want to keep it where it is. My first thought was liquid glass, but not sure if there would be any reaction with the calcite....
Or maybe a small perspex box or display case would be easier as the others mentioned.

[starsapphire78]

 Thanks for the advice Shivan I'll do that