The rust colored angel wings were the only specimens we picked up at that
location, and (to answer Bob Brenner's question) the rest of the specimens
we found were in a different area and were all fine, with no stains.  It is
interesting that the "old rusty wreck" just off Cedar Key would cause this
and now that I have an explanation I think I'll just enjoy them, as is!
Thanks for everyone's suggestions which I will keep in mind for future
reference.
Bev - Clearwater


>From: "Brenner, Bob" <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Conchologists List <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Cleaning Angel Wings
>Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2005 09:05:13 -0800
>
>I have used oxalic acid to clean rust stains from mineral samples - usually
>silicates and oxides.  Both of those groups are GENERALLY insoluble in MOST
>acids.  Usually, calcium carbonate with any acid is not a good combination
>for the carbonate, neither calcite nor aragonite.  I have found rust to be
>nearly impossible to remove since it many times is IN the shell as well as
>on it.
>
>I guess it depends on how you look at it.  A taxonomist might feel that the
>rust stain is a characteristic of the shells found on Cedar Key and is an
>important feature that illustrates the variation within the species and
>won't expend much effort, if any, to remove the stain.
>
>On the other hand, if aesthetics is most important to the collector, one
>might not be as concerned with the location as with the appearance.  Given
>the difficulty of stain removal, one might better expend his time at
>another
>location.
>
>Are the shells of other species found there on Cedar Key stained, too?
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Bev Dolezal [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2005 7:53 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Cleaning Angel Wings
>
>Just got back from a shelling trip to Cedar Key, Florida where a number of
>us dug for angel wings.  The specimens we brought back seem to have a rust
>color on their exteriors and  even after days of bleaching (and with
>changing the solution each day) none among the 6 collectors can get a pure
>white exterior.  Any ideas on how to get rid of this rust coloration?
>Bev - Clearwater
>
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