BillA
Bronze Member
Shown are some hachas (celts), and as is clear they are not so photogenic. The (lower) darker 4 are from the west coast of Costa Rica, and the (upper) lighter colored ones are from the Caribbean side. (So I was told, they are not mine.)
To my knowledge they are untreated except for the large dark dark celt, which now seems to be stained ?
Unfortunately they have features which are difficult to discern without close attention, necessitating better photography.
For example the 2 upper left light colored celts have a lengthy flat on both sides (which I was unable to get in shadow).
I have previously attempted to stabilize sea shells first with mineral oil (temporary), then with melted paraffin which needed buffing again after 6 months outside. Geradot was kind enough to share his thoughts, and I will include neutral shoe polish (not Geradot's idea, I just found it in the store). Anyone experienced in beautifying rocks please chime in. Given where I'm at, low tech is the rule (i.e. no crystalline wax products).
So this is my recepie for Photogenic Celts
1) soak in warm water for 24 hours
2) scrub with laundry detergent
3) rinse well, air dry
split sample
4A) soak in hot paraffin, cool, dry, and buff
4B) dry warm and apply clear shoe polish, cool, dry, and buff
other ideas ?
Bill
To my knowledge they are untreated except for the large dark dark celt, which now seems to be stained ?
Unfortunately they have features which are difficult to discern without close attention, necessitating better photography.
For example the 2 upper left light colored celts have a lengthy flat on both sides (which I was unable to get in shadow).
I have previously attempted to stabilize sea shells first with mineral oil (temporary), then with melted paraffin which needed buffing again after 6 months outside. Geradot was kind enough to share his thoughts, and I will include neutral shoe polish (not Geradot's idea, I just found it in the store). Anyone experienced in beautifying rocks please chime in. Given where I'm at, low tech is the rule (i.e. no crystalline wax products).
So this is my recepie for Photogenic Celts
1) soak in warm water for 24 hours
2) scrub with laundry detergent
3) rinse well, air dry
split sample
4A) soak in hot paraffin, cool, dry, and buff
4B) dry warm and apply clear shoe polish, cool, dry, and buff
other ideas ?
Bill
