omenica
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2024
Posts: 2
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Post by omenica on Apr 25, 2024 14:18:10 GMT -5
Hello, I’m looking for some advice. I have some hexagonal garnets I collected from two localities, Omenica Mountains in Northern BC, and Austrian Alps by the Zillertal Valley. I bought a 4T vibratory tumbler and I started with the Omenica stones mixed with 5 tablespoons of a metallic looking 80 grit, 8 ozs of plastic pellets and used a sprayer to moisten the mixture. The smaller stone got cleaned but the larger ones (10 carat size) didn’t get close to having the micaceous matrix removed from the surfaces.
I have zero experience so any help would be greatly appreciated. I thank any responder in advance.
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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 25, 2024 21:19:07 GMT -5
No need to use any padding in the rough stage, you're just grinding the plastic down, need the garnets to rub on each other. I've never done garnet in other than a rotary tumbler, vibes {I do have one} don't seem to shape rock as well as a rotary in rough stage, and increased wear on the barrel. No matter how you do it, garnets are harder than, well real hard, it's going to take a while. Be patient.
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Post by Starguy on Apr 26, 2024 0:56:22 GMT -5
I’ve tumbled some Idaho garnets but rotary rumbling only. It sounds like you are on the right track. Like Larry said, you don’t need plastic until polish.
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