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Author Topic: An old thunder egg  (Read 4668 times)

LindaK

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An old thunder egg
« on: October 28, 2019, 07:29:58 PM »
Hi all,
This is my first post on this forum. I'm hoping someone can throw some light whether something might have happened to an old thunder egg that my mother has had in her garden for over 40 years (with various plants in it). I recall that when she got it from a lapidary friend of hers in Brisbane, it quite clearly had visible crystal on the inside.  Now the hollow part of the egg is all browny coloured with some pointy bits sticking out, but they are brown as well. Not a crystal in sight :(
Can it be restored to reveal the crystal again??
Thanks in advance!
Linda

LindaK

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Re: An old thunder egg
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2019, 07:31:39 PM »
I should mention that it is probably about 400-450mm in diameter, so quite a good size as I understand (although I did just read that they can get to 1000mm in diameter).

Faceting Frank

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Re: An old thunder egg
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2019, 08:00:36 PM »
Hi LindaK, the wife and I used to collect agates and thunder eggs many years ago.
I’m no expert on thunder eggs. But if after cleaning all the dirt out of it, the remaining colour of the crystals is natural. The quartz crystals can get other mineral deposits on them that you wont be able to get off.

Rusted

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Re: An old thunder egg
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2019, 07:07:12 AM »
The crystals have probably taken a coating of tannen from the plant material, try brushing some White King onto them.
Or it could be Iron stains, Diggers Rust and stain cleaner available from Bunnings will remove it.
If it's Calcium (lime) a long soak in some vinegar will help.
 Don't mix the above three chemicals and wear protective gear (gloves and glasses) when doing it and do it outside.

LindaK

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Re: An old thunder egg
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2019, 10:01:19 AM »
Thank you both Faceting Frank and Rusted.  I will try all three of your ideas Rusted.  There is certainly a distinct reddish orange colour on the inside of the egg so possibly it is iron stains.  Tannin would make sense as well given the exposure to the elements.  I'll give those a try and see how it scrubs up.  Many thanks!
I'll take some before and after photos as well as it should be an interesting process, bringing it back to its former glory. 
regards
Linda

Rusted

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Re: An old thunder egg
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2019, 10:28:11 AM »
Welcome to the forums
That Diggers rust and stain cleaner is Oxalic acid, when you have finished cleaning thunder eggs it's good for cleaning wood decking too.


Gemster

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Re: An old thunder egg
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2019, 03:17:27 PM »
I should mention that it is probably about 400-450mm in diameter, so quite a good size as I understand (although I did just read that they can get to 1000mm in diameter).

 I have seen them well over 2m... Some properties around Mt Tamborine has some very large ones..
 We went to a Party up there years ago, and they had a larger one cut in half for an outdoor table...

 Gemster....
I swing a 12-pound hammer,smash gibbers by the ton
I used to think it convict work,but now i think it's FUN

 

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