My backyard find started crumbling and smelling weird

I picked up what looked like a cool metallic rock, but it began to fall apart and had a sharp odor after some rain. Turns out it was marcasite, which can break down and create acidic runoff that harms soil. How do you guys handle potentially reactive specimens when you bring them home?

2 comments

2 Comments

mia_campbell2d ago

Marcasite is THE worst, had one crumble into dust.

karenhenderson1d ago

Try cleaning it with baking soda.