butcha
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2016
Posts: 21
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Post by butcha on May 8, 2016 13:36:05 GMT -5
So I've just ordered a couple of lbs of a rock dubbed "calligraphy". I can find little to no information about this rock, does anyone know anything about its composition/where it's found/etc?
It would be even better if someone has any advice on tumbling it (im assuming as the website says it's mohs 7 it won't be dissimilar to tumbling agate)?
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Post by vegasjames on May 8, 2016 14:08:13 GMT -5
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Post by krazydiamond on May 8, 2016 14:11:30 GMT -5
yeh, if it is really MOH 3 as the article suggests, it will be a disappointing tumble. might cab well, though.
KD
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2016 16:05:03 GMT -5
It is coquina Jasper,definitely not a 7 on the scale maybe pushing a 4 on a good day.you should probably tumble it as you would fluorite
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butcha
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2016
Posts: 21
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Post by butcha on May 9, 2016 9:59:38 GMT -5
Thanks for the help folks, looks like I've been duped! The softest rock I've tumbled is Serpentine which despite a couple of attempts I couldn't get to take a polish! Any advice on tumbling this soft rock (being in England I have limited access to lapidary equipment beyond my own lortone tumbler, it's not a popular hobby here!)
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indiana
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 285
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Post by indiana on May 11, 2016 12:31:56 GMT -5
Here's what mine looked like after a tumble with harder stones. I kept the untumbled ones as cool looking rocks with no plans to try them again.
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wampidytoo
has rocks in the head
Add 5016 to my post count.
Member since June 2013
Posts: 709
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Post by wampidytoo on May 11, 2016 16:24:45 GMT -5
Spray them with clear lacquer paint. It is not cheating if there is no other way and they will be gorgeous. Jim
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ubermenehune
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 293
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Post by ubermenehune on May 11, 2016 21:08:46 GMT -5
They won't take a polish, but they're still nice looking stones when tumbled. I get plenty of compliments on how unique they look.
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Post by vegasjames on May 12, 2016 0:57:55 GMT -5
Try buffing them with Zam.
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on May 12, 2016 2:29:33 GMT -5
Hi butcha,
welcome to RTH from another UK resident. It does happen here.
Always DYOR and caveat emptor.
Ebay is a decent place to find rock, but always hold on providing feedback until you're happy & confident that a stone is what it is.
There are some stones that are much imitated, Turquoise, which I'd recommend you stay clear of unless you know what you're doing, i.e. Specific Gravity. If you want an opinion on a rock-type, just ask.
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butcha
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2016
Posts: 21
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Post by butcha on May 14, 2016 1:06:39 GMT -5
Hi butcha, welcome to RTH from another UK resident. It does happen here. Always DYOR and caveat emptor. Ebay is a decent place to find rock, but always hold on providing feedback until you're happy & confident that a stone is what it is. There are some stones that are much imitated, Turquoise, which I'd recommend you stay clear of unless you know what you're doing, i.e. Specific Gravity. If you want an opinion on a rock-type, just ask. Hi Metalsmith, nice to hear from a UK rock-hound! I use eBay quite a bit (often to get stuff from America!) but this "calligraphy" I got from UKGE along with some bloodstone (with not much blood! Hoping it'll look better once tumbled!) They were claiming it was mohs 7, I've done a scratch test and at best I think it's 4.5
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on May 14, 2016 9:51:09 GMT -5
I've seen it on ebay and what stood out to me was that it comprised fossil shells. It depends what the replacement mineralisation is as to the hardness that can be achieved, but where a rock is significantly shell then you've got to wonder if it is replaced, where does all the Calcium Carbonate go? I've just had a quick peek on the net, since I've never really given Calligraphy stone much time, and it seems that some has significant Haematite and other has Fluorite. Fluorite is Moh's 4. The stuff with shells in may have plenty of Haematite (hardness 5-6) but with 2/3rds composition of calcite (what's that - 2-3?) so we can see how the components average out the hardness of the rock. I always think that if other guys seem to be able to put a shine to it, so if you're minded, you should too (but as Rockjunquie reminded, so long as they've not had to use sealer). reikiandbeyond.ecrater.co.uk/p/22941329/akashic-records-crystals-reiki-alchemy
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on May 14, 2016 9:57:37 GMT -5
UKGE aren't bad, so long as you're buying the item they're showing (and ebay too for that matter). I never buy anything that is generic, i.e. here's a picture of a lovely rock and we'll send something similar. It tends to be dissimilar and rarely if ever to your advantage.
I bought a crysocolla recently it said pebble 3cm diameter, which would be cute, cut in half and make a pair of cuff-links. On arrival, I measured it at 18mm diameter and 50-60% of the rock was matrix / gangue. Needless to say the image was pure chrysocolla... It went back and I stood the postal costs. Sellers need to be educuated about sending the thing they present or be clear to state if not. There was nothing in the advert to indicate that it was generic.
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