rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 611
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Post by rocknrob on Jul 12, 2024 14:28:26 GMT -5
 It's very sparkly and has a really nice look to the rough. Before I start slabbing it though, does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations I should do before I get to it? Does the sparkles translate to a polished cabbed surface? Is it something that needs stabilization? Inquiring minds want to know before I convert this sparkly rough rock into something cab-able. - Rob |
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dreamrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
I got lucky this morning and was able to post this no others since
Member since November 2018
Posts: 1,232
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Post by dreamrocks on Jul 12, 2024 15:58:56 GMT -5
Just cut it and get over with! Lol
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Post by pebblesky on Jul 12, 2024 16:26:28 GMT -5
I had several pieces tumbled in stage 1 but I didn't bring them to later stages. They looked "grainy" to me so I lost interest. If you do a RTH search for "Ruby in Zoisite" you might lower your expectation.
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 611
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Post by rocknrob on Jul 12, 2024 16:36:04 GMT -5
Well yeah, it's not a super expensive material. I just wonder if it's better lookin' with a end slab cut on it and it sitting up in all it's sparkly glory. I'll accidentally cut the end off and see what it looks like that way. My wife has gotten rather attached to it in a short while so I would hate to ruin her sparkly rock if I didn't need to  |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 12, 2024 17:19:15 GMT -5
I've cabbed it. It cabbed alright. Didn't get an agate polish, but it wasn't too bad.
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Jul 12, 2024 18:59:57 GMT -5
I cabbed this one.  It was a commission piece. Somebody gave me the slab and wanted a heart wrapped in sterling silver for a Christmas gift. You have to go very light pressure. The Ruby is really hard. I think it's nine on the most scale. The zoisite is soft somewhere around 6 or 7. You can get a lot of orange peel from undercutting. |
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ThomasT
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2022
Posts: 616
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Post by ThomasT on Jul 12, 2024 19:58:16 GMT -5
The Zoisite with Ruby like rockbrain has, with plenty of rubies, seems to polish great. |
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Jul 12, 2024 20:17:08 GMT -5
The person that commissioned it also wanted me to do a shark. I cut it out and that part was great. I'll get around to finishing and polishing it one of these days. I tried doing it in a vibe tumbler and it was a failure. Came out with a very deep orange peel texture.
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 611
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Post by rocknrob on Jul 12, 2024 23:16:39 GMT -5
I can imagine with Zoisite being much (MUCH) softer than the ruby that polishing can be a challenge.
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 611
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Post by rocknrob on Jul 14, 2024 13:08:34 GMT -5
 So if I were to call this anything, it's pretty much Zoisite with a slight chance of ruby so far. The 14" drop saw cut through this like a hot knife through butter. Now I just need to figure out what I can do with this material. It does have a pretty cool "Mint Chocolate Chip" feel to it. |
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