sphereguy
having dreams about rocks
Hello all I've been lurking for months now
Member since March 2017
Posts: 73
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Thulite
Apr 20, 2017 22:22:55 GMT -5
Post by sphereguy on Apr 20, 2017 22:22:55 GMT -5
I am wondering what the best process or way to polish thulite. It is green and pink and sort of a soft stone. But any input on how to get it to shine would be helpful
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Apr 21, 2017 7:54:09 GMT -5
I've had no luck tumbling it at all. Tends to undercut as the pink areas ( zoisite) are softer than the green. On the wheels, you need to treat it like jade. Sand with worn sanding wheels to limit undercutting and polish on leather pads. I use optical grade cerium oxide. Still doesn't yield a mirror polish for me. Chromium Oxide may work better but I never have it on hand. Right stone is thulite about as good as I can polish it. Left stone is another tough one to work, called zebra jade. Actually a serpentine and not true zebra which looks different and is much harder...Mel
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sphereguy
having dreams about rocks
Hello all I've been lurking for months now
Member since March 2017
Posts: 73
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Post by sphereguy on Apr 22, 2017 0:02:55 GMT -5
I thank you for the post. The fine people at the rice museum in Oregon are asking me to polish a slab and it is different hardness. I will try your methods. And also am going to try wet diamond polishing pads that I use for marble and granite outer top edging. I'll post the outcome. Again thank you for your input and pictures
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,630
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Thulite
Nov 12, 2018 13:06:42 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by NRG on Nov 12, 2018 13:06:42 GMT -5
I am wondering what the best process or way to polish thulite. It is green and pink and sort of a soft stone. But any input on how to get it to shine would be helpful Is it the material from east of Landers California?
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sphereguy
having dreams about rocks
Hello all I've been lurking for months now
Member since March 2017
Posts: 73
|
Thulite
Nov 12, 2018 15:41:30 GMT -5
NRG likes this
Post by sphereguy on Nov 12, 2018 15:41:30 GMT -5
Central northern Washington
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,630
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Post by NRG on Nov 12, 2018 16:06:15 GMT -5
The California material turned out to be pink epidote and green diopside. I have no experience with the Washington material to share.
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sphereguy
having dreams about rocks
Hello all I've been lurking for months now
Member since March 2017
Posts: 73
|
Thulite
Nov 12, 2018 20:47:53 GMT -5
Post by sphereguy on Nov 12, 2018 20:47:53 GMT -5
I did a sphere out of it and diamonds polished wonderfully.
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