rgc
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2024
Posts: 3
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Post by rgc on Jan 24, 2024 15:11:29 GMT -5
Hi Folks,
I am a novice here but love collecting great rock pieces. My husband keeps suggesting we have enough but I always disagree!
I just got back from the Quartzsite rock and mineral show with a couple (I had to carry them in a suitcase!) of nice pieces.. sodalite about 1/2 a tennis ball size and a thunder bay amethyst piece, a full tennis ball size, e, both of which I would like to polish.
Since sodalite is softer than the amethyst, I’m wondering what the best way to tumble them is. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have a 6# tumbler.
Thanks!
Ruth
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hplcman
spending too much on rocks
Looking forward to my Friday Night Barrel Clean out!
Member since August 2022
Posts: 493
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Post by hplcman on Jan 24, 2024 15:40:55 GMT -5
Welcome! And, after being involved with this hobby for a couple of years, you can NEVER have enough rocks! Every time a heavy box comes in the mail or I bend over to pick up an interesting beach rock my wife and kids make snarky comments about having too many rocks! I would plan on getting used to it!
As for softer rocks the general thought is don't tumble it with rocks that are harder, you may want to skip stage 1 (coarse grit) and focus on stage 2, check the progress often (don't let it run for 7+ days without making sure it's not grinding down too fast) and you want a LOT of cushion rocks or polished ceramics in there with it. I'm sure other people on here will chime in with specifics for this type of rock!
You're in the right place for advice though! There are some generous and amazing people on here that will be more than willing to share their expertise with you!
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Post by pebblesky on Jan 24, 2024 16:12:09 GMT -5
Welcome! LOL, my husband also kept suggesting we had way more than enough, which I don't disagree but ...
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Post by pauls on Jan 24, 2024 16:20:39 GMT -5
Gday from Australia, You can never have too many rocks, just not possible.
I haven't tumbled Sodalite so can't comment apart from that soft rocks can be difficult to tumble.
Amethyst can also be difficult, it tends to chip easily. You can get around this by making things gentler by using a lot of filler, anything small will do, some good fish tank gravel or those glass beads that people put in vases.
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 24, 2024 16:28:14 GMT -5
Lots of good advice so far Ruth! Welcome to the forum from South Dakota!  ...and your husband is wrong...one can NOT have too many rocks!  |
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,987
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Post by Tommy on Jan 24, 2024 22:26:07 GMT -5
Hello Ruth rgc and welcome to the forum! You are safe here, we will NEVER tell you you have enough rocks  |
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Post by chris1956 on Jan 25, 2024 9:59:41 GMT -5
Welcome from Missouri. I recently tumbled a few sodalite scraps from slabbing. I did it with other harder rocks (mostly jasper). They turned out ok but not the greatest polish. Haven't had enough to try them by themselves.
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johnthor1963
starting to spend too much on rocks
Cattle dogs rock
Member since June 2023
Posts: 236
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Post by johnthor1963 on Jan 29, 2024 16:56:01 GMT -5
Welcome from Indiana. To many rocks lol that’s funny. Can never have too many. I work in the new home construction field as a sub contractor. Each addition they open up that I work in yep you guessed it I’m looking for green rocks I think I have a couple of tons ,over 40 years lol none tumble worth a crap. Can’t wait to see your tumbles welcome.
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zebra61
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2024
Posts: 161
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Post by zebra61 on Jan 30, 2024 9:55:03 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum Ruth! TOO MANY ROCKS?  ? Impossible. (Mention that you don't have any moon rocks yet) |
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Post by vegasjames on Jan 30, 2024 10:06:34 GMT -5
Welcome Ruth from Southern Nevada.
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Jan 30, 2024 22:50:00 GMT -5
Welcome from Rochester!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 30, 2024 23:21:18 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona, Ruth!
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? Impossible. (Mention that you don't have any moon rocks yet) 
