julieraye
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2021
Posts: 1
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Post by julieraye on Apr 2, 2021 22:42:45 GMT -5
My dad and I tinkered with rocks back in the 70’s. He traded for mostly Arizona turquoise. And I learned a little silver smithing. After all these years I ended up with a bit of chalky turquoise. I’d like to get it stabilized and get in to cabbing and jewelry making again. Can anyone recommend a place I can have it stabilized? I tried the acetone and epoxy method. Not so much . I think it needs the pressurized process. Thanks
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Post by manofglass on Apr 2, 2021 22:56:44 GMT -5
Welcome from Michigan
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Post by opalpyrexia on Apr 3, 2021 10:21:24 GMT -5
Welcome from Washington. I can't help with turquoise, but perhaps some others can.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 3, 2021 10:32:41 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
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Post by TheRock on Apr 9, 2021 2:55:31 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH Forum from S/W Michigan! ~Duke
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Post by greig on Apr 9, 2021 8:27:07 GMT -5
I cannot help with hardening. However, I have some rough Arizona turquoise and notice a few things about it: - The quality varies depending on the mine (and probably where in the mine). I really like Kingman, Bisbee and Morenci. - I prefer natural stone and not something that has been "enhanced". My first attempt was to put a few rocks into a tumbler with just water (to remove soft parts) - twice. I got quite a bit of sand. The smaller/harder rocks resulting seem OK for cabbing or tumbling (without hardening). For the tumble with grit, I started with stage 3, lots of media and they were done in 3 days. I think next time, I would start with stage 4 and perhaps do it twice. I have only done this once and suspect results would vary depending on the material. ie. what worked for me, might be a bad idea for someone else.
- How long did you leave your rocks in the hardening fluid? I understand minimum 5-7 days is required. Perhaps, longer will save you from having to find someone who can do a pressurized treatment?
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Apr 9, 2021 11:25:14 GMT -5
Welcome from the desert Southwest!
We have some really great articles, here, on the RTH which describe the process in detail. This is where I have learned what I have. Some are so detailed and require such complicated contraptions that I have not attempted to do it that way. But I tend to lean towards the opposite side of the spectrum (easy). I have only worked with Variscite (which is a cousin to Turquoise).
Simply use a large Mason jar. Affix (using glue or construction grade sealant) a surgical tubing to a hole in the lid, and affix a hand pump (surgical supply store) to the other end of the tubing, and you will create a vacuum. The consistency and nature of the adhesive is up to you, but it will be very important if you can use a vacuum to extract as much air from the inside of your stone as possible. When air leaves the stone *and it will* then adhesive will enter in to that spot.
Primative, but it has worked for a few batches.
I would provide links on the RTH, but really it shouldn't be hard to find articles with the 'Search' feature. Best of luck.
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