titaniumkid
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2023
Posts: 499
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Post by titaniumkid on Apr 8, 2024 23:01:36 GMT -5
I have a blocky piece of rainforest jasper (rhyolite) that has been tumbling in 80 grit for a while (I lost track of time). It's getting pretty smooth, even in concave areas. I'm at a loss about what to do with it. Should I keep tumbling it until it rounds more? Will it round more, or will it become an increasingly smaller block? I don't usually mind if rocks are unusual shapes. I prefer doing justice to the rock rather than perfectionism, and while the aim should be "whatever makes you happy", I feel pretty dead inside and the rock is giving me anxiety with its blockiness. It feels stupid even writing this, but there it is  I don't trust my opinions. What would you do if this was your rock? Would you keep going in coarse grit? What would you aim for before you moved it on? I'd love to hear any thoughts, opinions, or experiences.  |
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Post by pebblesky on Apr 8, 2024 23:55:06 GMT -5
This rainforest jasper looks nice!
I personally prefer the shape of a water-washed pebble, palm stone, an egg or a thick regular-shaped/designer/freeform cabochon, so one of my options would be to cut the corners and maybe the edges (via the trim saw or cabber) before tumbling again in 80, so that it rounds off quickly (maybe in one or two more week) without becoming much smaller.
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wyorock
starting to shine!
Member since October 2023
Posts: 35
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Post by wyorock on Apr 9, 2024 7:25:53 GMT -5
Reasonably quickly I came to the conclusion that I can't keep and enjoy every rock I polish. Even if I keep only the ones I "love", the space required to display them and appreciate them runs out. I suggest you move it on through to complete polish and give it to the person that exhibits a sincere awe for the rock.
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Post by amygdule on Apr 9, 2024 8:17:52 GMT -5
If your Pet Rocks start giving you anxiety
You should take them out and go for a walk
Thank You...
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Post by victor1941 on Apr 9, 2024 8:42:04 GMT -5
If you don't like the blocknes then thin in on a trim saw or in my case a 60 grit flat lap. I would also shape the top for more curved edges and light/dark balance or green/cream. Retumble!
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Post by miket on Apr 9, 2024 9:16:27 GMT -5
It really comes down to personal choice.
Speaking for myself, I've never trimmed a rock before tumbling with the purpose of it being a certain shape.
I'd say about 95% or more of what I tumble are rocks that I've hounded. Some of them turn out well and some probably shouldn't be in the tumbler- but I give them a chance to turn out well anyway.
I say that if the blocking bothers you then trim it. It may round more eventually but it will definitely get smaller.
I would run it in coarse until you're satisfied and move it along.
Just my two cents!
🙂
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Post by Pat on Apr 9, 2024 11:08:18 GMT -5
What I aimed for would depend on what my goal was.
Goal could be a specimen piece/paperweight, or slabs for cabs.
As a specimen, I’d go the tumbling route. I’m not a tumbler, so can’t help there.
Different considerations if I want to make cabs. Good luck!
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Post by manofglass on Apr 9, 2024 11:09:12 GMT -5
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Post by Starguy on Apr 9, 2024 12:30:28 GMT -5
If it was me, I would put it back in coarse until it’s rounder. Everyone is different about when they move rocks on from coarse. I tend to let them roll until they are free of pits and mostly rounded. In agate, I watch for the small, low-angle cracks to disappear. They are the flaws that drive me crazy. I have been accepting of some pits in the Lake Superior Agates I’m working on. They tend to have pits with colorful weathering inside.
It’s an attractive rock. I’m certain it will turn out great. Looking forward to the progress.
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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
Member is Online
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Post by hplcman on Apr 9, 2024 13:20:14 GMT -5
I'm more a fan of moving rocks on from coarse when they are mostly defect free and still retaining some of their original shape as I don't like all the rocks to have the same, completely rounded shape. Everyone is different. Also, another consideration is do you like the patterning on that rock right now? The more time in coarse the more that pattern will shift, and you don't want to regret going too far. Overall, it's all a matter of personal aesthetics, so if you're unhappy with that rock then spend more time shaping it up!  ps - I think it's a beautiful rock! |
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saaz
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2023
Posts: 15
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Post by saaz on Apr 9, 2024 17:24:12 GMT -5
I'm along similar lines to hplcman. "Is this rock smooth or mostly smooth? Does it have flaws that will never grind out?" Then move on to polish. I think that's a neat rock and I would go ahead and polish. If you're not happy with the result it can always go back in coarse.
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,158
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Post by dshanpnw on Apr 9, 2024 17:48:39 GMT -5
I would be almost happy with that the way it is, but I'd keep it in 80 grit a little longer, maybe two more weeks to work around the concave areas more. I don't think it will get too much smaller. It's looking very good. Thanks for sharing.
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titaniumkid
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2023
Posts: 499
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Post by titaniumkid on Apr 9, 2024 18:07:45 GMT -5
Dear everyone who has replied, thanks! I very much appreciated reading your thoughts. The Rock is currently back in 80 grit while options are being considered. If anyone else wants to weigh in, they should. The first thing that will happen when it comes out of its gritty bath is I will take it for a walk (thanks amygdule), maybe we'll go for a coffee or something... I like the pattern. I do want to preserve it. But I don't love it right now. Possibly, I'm fixating on Mr Rock to avoid other not so nice things, so hopefully dopey feelings or lack thereof will change. If it doesn't change, I might follow the advice of wyorock and give it to someone who sincerely appreciates it. There aren't many rock fanatics in my actual life, so if anyone here really likes it, I might happily give it to you in exchange for friendship just kidding. (Not really kidding. Please be my rock friend) |
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titaniumkid
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2023
Posts: 499
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Post by titaniumkid on Apr 9, 2024 18:23:23 GMT -5
It really comes down to personal choice. Speaking for myself, I've never trimmed a rock before tumbling with the purpose of it being a certain shape. I'd say about 95% or more of what I tumble are rocks that I've hounded. Some of them turn out well and some probably shouldn't be in the tumbler- but I give them a chance to turn out well anyway. I say that if the blocking bothers you then trim it. It may round more eventually but it will definitely get smaller. I would run it in coarse until you're satisfied and move it along. Just my two cents! 🙂 I've tumbled trimmed rocks or end cuts etc. before, but never deliberately shaped a rock before tumbling. This rock might change things and shaping rocks could be a bit of a rabbit hole. Thanks for your two cents |
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Post by Bob on Apr 10, 2024 16:56:00 GMT -5
If it was me, I would put it back in coarse until it’s rounder. Everyone is different about when they move rocks on from coarse. I tend to let them roll until they are free of pits and mostly rounded. In agate, I watch for the small, low-angle cracks to disappear. They are the flaws that drive me crazy. I have been accepting of some pits in the Lake Superior Agates I’m working on. They tend to have pits with colorful weathering inside. It’s an attractive rock. I’m certain it will turn out great. Looking forward to the progress. titaniumkid, my thoughts exactly and how I do it. But I want to add one thing. Concave areas on rocks that are otherwise perfect are fun and interesting. If you meant concavities with defects in the concavity, such as not yet rounded out in there, keep going until rounded out in that concavity and no original "dent" in there. This takes a while admittedly but I do it all the time. You have to have enough smalls in the batch to get into that concavity. When people run their fingers through bowls that contain my finished polished rocks, they seem to linger on rocks with concavities and I'm the same way. They are fun. |
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titaniumkid
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2023
Posts: 499
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Post by titaniumkid on Apr 10, 2024 17:59:14 GMT -5
If it was me, I would put it back in coarse until it’s rounder. Everyone is different about when they move rocks on from coarse. I tend to let them roll until they are free of pits and mostly rounded. In agate, I watch for the small, low-angle cracks to disappear. They are the flaws that drive me crazy. I have been accepting of some pits in the Lake Superior Agates I’m working on. They tend to have pits with colorful weathering inside. It’s an attractive rock. I’m certain it will turn out great. Looking forward to the progress. titaniumkid, my thoughts exactly and how I do it. But I want to add one thing. Concave areas on rocks that are otherwise perfect are fun and interesting. If you meant concavities with defects in the concavity, such as not yet rounded out in there, keep going until rounded out in that concavity and no original "dent" in there. This takes a while admittedly but I do it all the time. You have to have enough smalls in the batch to get into that concavity. When people run their fingers through bowls that contain my finished polished rocks, they seem to linger on rocks with concavities and I'm the same way. They are fun. That's an interesting observation. The joy and experience is more than what the rocks look like. Thanks for sharing your advice. |
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titaniumkid
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2023
Posts: 499
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Post by titaniumkid on Apr 15, 2024 21:34:29 GMT -5
Updates for anyone interested or who has ideas. After the rock came out of coarse grit, we spent some quality time together and the rock acquired the name Araluen ("place of the water lilies" in the language of the Walbanga people), inspired by two poems from one of my favourite poets. Kidding. We didn't spend time together. I'm not quite that deranged. With the same face showing as in previous photos, it has rounded slightly in the grit but also retained its deformed 3D Tetris block shape.  It also has interesting markings on its other sides, including little silicon pockets, some of which appear to be tiny thundereggs that have been squashed under pressure (first image below; it also has a lovely fracture...) and the coarse grit has revealed blue (second image below):   Despite the fracture, I've decided to take it out of coarse because I want to preserve the pattern. Is this the right thing to do? I don't know. There is a week to be haunted by the decision and it can always go back in coarse. If you have any insights or opinions, I'd like to hear them. |
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quartz
Cave Dweller 
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,359
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Post by quartz on Apr 15, 2024 21:54:59 GMT -5
It looks to me like that rock would be very comfortable to hold in the hand as it is. I like rocks that grip nicely, no matter exactly what shape they are. My vote polish it as is, and that is a very nice piece, lots going on in there be sad to lose some of it.
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Post by Starguy on Apr 16, 2024 1:46:18 GMT -5
The rock is a beauty. It looks quite a bit rounder now. I like the eyes in the second photo.
Thanks for showing.
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
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Post by dillonf on Apr 16, 2024 5:27:07 GMT -5
Updates for anyone interested or who has ideas. After the rock came out of coarse grit, we spent some quality time together and the rock acquired the name Araluen ("place of the water lilies" in the language of the Walbanga people), inspired by two poems from one of my favourite poets. Kidding. We didn't spend time together. I'm not quite that deranged. With the same face showing as in previous photos, it has rounded slightly in the grit but also retained its deformed 3D Tetris block shape. It also has interesting markings on its other sides, including little silicon pockets, some of which appear to be tiny thundereggs that have been squashed under pressure (first image below; it also has a lovely fracture...) and the coarse grit has revealed blue (second image below): Despite the fracture, I've decided to take it out of coarse because I want to preserve the pattern. Is this the right thing to do? I don't know. There is a week to be haunted by the decision and it can always go back in coarse. If you have any insights or opinions, I'd like to hear them. It is a beautiful rock. If it was me - based on the pics - I'd do 2-3 more rounds of 80 grit the one round of 220 grit in rotary before shifting to the vibe starting at 220 grit. Looks like you still have a few minor cracks/pits that will come out after 2-3 more weeks of rolling. |
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I don't trust my opinions.
