chrisski Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Wondering how gems are extracted from host rocks. Can't find anything on this on the internet.I occasionally find what I think is a small black tourmaline crystal embedded in quartz. I think some of these might look nice if I could get them out of the quartz. I know hydrofluoric acid dissolves quartz, but I'm afraid that it'd take the crystal with it. I did a google search on getting gems from host rocks, but youtube and google seem to be empty on the topic. I found a line that after the rock is milled, it is spun around in a water solution and then that will erode the stone and leave the gem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weaver hillbille Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Besides all the hand tools to persuade bauble from matrix, I would assume they're dug out from surrounding matrix by diamond saw/drill/grinder-cutting away what you don't want... THink Dremel but more industrial. Here's a pic of a portable diamond saw for field use- just a Makita tile saw. Try this link https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1GGGE_enUS427&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=how%20to%20cut%20crystals%20from%20matrix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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