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#77238, Gmelinite, Analcime,
Natrolite, Madman's Window, Glenarm, Northern Ireland (Type Locality
for Gmelinite) (m) $375
I highly recommend mounting minerals using Mineral Tack, also sold as Geo-Tac.
It is a white putty that is firm enough to support minerals without them
falling over. Best of all, it does not cause any damage to minerals. Mineral
Tack should not be confused with the blue putty made by various companies
like Duco, 3M, DAP, and Loctite.
The flexibility of Mineral Tack is due to a plasticizer solvent. If a mineral
is porous and earthy, it will draw out the plasticizer and cause the Mineral
Tack to harden making it difficult to remove.
Here are some tricks for removing old Mineral Tack:
-
Soak in hot water (if the mineral will tolerate heat). The temperature will
soften the hard tack making it easier to remove.
-
Use a ball of new mineral tack and press it against the old. Mineral tack
sticks to itself better than it sticks to the mineral.
-
Applying a ball of new tack to the old, and letting sit for a week will often
soften old tack if it isn't too hard.
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Use a solvent like Goo-Gone or rubber cement thinner (I use Bestine). First
apply a small amount to soften the tack. If the old tack will still not peel
off, soak the mineral in the solvent. After a few minutes the tack will begin
to dissolve. Speed the process by using an old toothbrush to agitate. As
the solvent becomes dirty with the dissolved tack, discard and pour out fresh
solvent and continue until all tack is gone.
-
When all else fails, get a knife or dental tools to physically scrape off
the tack.
John Betts, 4/23/2019
Click here to read past news and
commentaries...
Customer Comments:
"Just a note to thank you for the turquoise which arrived yesterday. Less
than a week from placing the order, to receiving this specimen here in England
- that's quick service! It's an attractive stone; accurately described and
superbly photographed on your website. The old labels and historic mine info
are an added bonus, so I'm very pleased with my purchase. By all means quote
me if you wish, as a satisfied customer who will probably be back with more
orders in the future." Alan P.
"Last year we asked if you could obtain a specimen of Papagoite, an extremely
difficult mineral to get, and you suggested Tucson would be the best bet.
You came up with a magnificent specimen as we knew you would and added to
it a specimen of the almost as rare Stringhamite. I don't know how you
do it, but we can't thank you enough for these Specimens.) "
"I am really pleased with the gifts my family members are getting for me
from your site. I tell them what I want and in a few days they are mine and
also thank you for the beautiful cards you send with the personal message
on them. I love it. " T. Valenti
Click here to see other comments about
this site by customers. Also add your feedback...
Pledge to My Customers:
Customer satisfaction is my primary goal. I pledge:
-
New minerals will be added to this site every week.
-
All minerals offered will be naturally crystallized specimens - no fakes,
no dyes, no irradiation, no crystals glued on matrix.
-
Only the exact item pictured on the site will be shipped - no substitutes.
-
Photographs will accurately represent each item - no exaggeration, enhancement
or retouching flaws.
-
Mineral species and localities will be accurately listed on labels with each
specimen.
-
All items will be shipped via US Postal Service, usually the next business
day after the order is finalized.
-
Each mineral will be individually wrapped and carefully packaged to prevent
damage during shipping.
-
All historic labeling, if available, will be included with each mineral.
-
Returns are gladly accepted. No questions asked, no explanation necessary.
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All customer information will be kept confidential and never shared or sold.
-
I will continue to freely share my knowledge with others and contribute
to the study and appreciation of minerals.
-
All mineral specimens have a lifetime guarantee: if the mineral species was
incorrectly identified, I will refund the cost of the original purchase &
shipping, the cost return shipping and the cost for testing.
John H. Betts, owner
Mineral dealer since 1989, mineral collector since 1967
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