tracerace
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2006
Posts: 5
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Post by tracerace on Jul 17, 2006 13:08:50 GMT -5
Hello to everyone ! This board seems amazingly friendly and helpful and I'm glad to have found you. My daughter and I are "rock crazy" as my husband likes to say. We are constantly picking up pebbles and rocks on our farm (we have 260 acres) and leaving little piles around the garden or even in the house. I know nothing about rocks though...just that for whatever reason I am drawn to them...and oddly I've passed this trait on to my daughter! Come to think of it, my own mother was famous for filling the trunk with rocks when we'd travel.... , so I guess it's genetic. Anyway - I know NOTHING about tumbling rocks, the names of rocks (aside from the obvious quartzes and turquiose, etc) or the hobby itself, but I'm fascinated with polished rocks just as much as those that we snatch of the ground. So, I'm hoping this will be something my daughter and I can do together - she's homeschooled and we're both artists (we do pottery, papermaking, soapmaking andpaint, and I also sculpt)...it seems this will be an educational as well as creative outlet for us. And maybe we'll be able to do something with all these piles of pebbles ? So where do we start? What would be the most informative books on the subject? I'm an avid studier and researcher when it comes to starting a new hobby or project so I must start with a book! I would appreciate any recommendations......hopefully once I've read up on it I can actually read this forum and understand what in the heck you're all talking about . It's like Greek at this point! Thank you in advance for any recommendations. I'm looking forward to learning more. Oh, I forgot to mention that I'm very attracted to the wire wrapping...but I'm supposing I should learn to tumble first? Or, just skip the tumbling and buy the stones pre-polished? That seems like cheating.....
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Duckbean
fully equipped rock polisher
Looking for rocks in all the wrong places
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,072
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Post by Duckbean on Jul 17, 2006 13:57:37 GMT -5
Hi Tracerace and welcome to the board!As far as books go I can't help you out, There's lots out there depending on what you're looking for. I'm sure the other members will be able to help you with their favorites. I've just picked up most of my info here on the board and on the INTERNET!It's free and there is more information then I'll ever be able to get through. It sounds like you and your daughter are artistically gifted and it makes me wonder what kind of things the two of you will be able to come up with. It's always nice to see new talent show up on the board. Hope you have fun with your new hobby.
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Terry664
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2005
Posts: 1,146
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Post by Terry664 on Jul 17, 2006 20:55:54 GMT -5
Hello and welcome to the board, there are lots of informative sites on the net, and a lot of information on this board. Here is one I found.http://www.minsocam.org/MSA/collectors_corner/id/rock_key.htm
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181lizard
Cave Dweller
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Jul 17, 2006 21:53:16 GMT -5
HAHAHAHA! Another one bites the dust! Tracerace...welcome & hold on to your hat & wallet! Find a rock shop/jewelry/craft shop in your area & go hang out. ask questions. Read ANY books you can get your hands on, specially ones that talk about rocks/minerals in your area. Do a search for rock clubs in your state & make contact with them for info about anything you can ask. And last (but of course not least) read these boards daily if you can. I have learned more here & been pointed in the right direction by and from these cool people! The knowledge garnered here is priceless!
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Post by sandsman1 on Jul 18, 2006 15:02:49 GMT -5
WELCOME trace i was lucky enuff to get here around the start of this forum and i went back to the beginning and started reading but since theres so many post now it would take a year haha so id say when ever you have a question first try a search and if that dont work just put it in the general forum and im sure you will get a reply as for books first one id get is the gem trails book for your area so you will be able to identify the rock you are picking up and just go from there here you cn get a paper back as cheap as 6.25 take a look www.amazon.com/gp/product/1889786063/102-6172940-1261708?v=glance&n=283155
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tracerace
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2006
Posts: 5
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Post by tracerace on Jul 18, 2006 19:08:34 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! I did a lot of reading here the other day...in fact my eyes started to cross and then I realized it was 1:00 am.....lol...I guess that means I'm hooked . I'll be checking back once I can get some supplies and get under way. I'll definitely try and do a search before asking...but just in case, forgive me if I ask anything stupid . Sandsman...thanks for the link - I ordered the book! I'm looking forward to getting to know you - you seem like a super talented bunch. I'm impressed with how well everyone gets along. Nice job! Take care, Tracy
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Post by parfive on Jul 18, 2006 22:58:44 GMT -5
Welcome Tracy. Best thing to do is just jump in - buy a small tumbler and a grit pack from the Rock Shed (you'll have it in two or three days) and fill 'er up and let it roll. Then you'll have plenty of time to read up. Tip #1 - Don't believe the instructions that come with the tumbler. The first stage (60/90 grit) will need more than a week. After a week, clean it out and re-charge with more 60/90 for another week. Repeat until you like the condition of the rocks. That's why you buy more grit when you get the tumbler. therockshed.com/I'd recommend a Thumlers Model T kit - one 3 lb barrel or the AR-2 - two 3 lb barrels and a "Grit Pack with Pellets" You could shop around to save a few bucks on the tumbler, but you won't get better service or speedier shipment than the Rock Shed. Rich
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dtcmor
freely admits to licking rocks
Back to lickin' rocks again!
Member since May 2006
Posts: 898
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Post by dtcmor on Jul 19, 2006 0:58:44 GMT -5
Hi tracerace and welcome! I'm rather new here myself, but the one thing I've found out is that there are no stupid questions. The folks here are really patient and you will always get an answer from someone. There are alot of great people here and you will find that they will all go above and beyond to help you. So ask away and have fun!
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tracerace
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2006
Posts: 5
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Post by tracerace on Jul 19, 2006 7:51:04 GMT -5
;D That's exactly what I needed...that Rock Shed link.....
;DI'm going to be broke.
I'm off to clean a closet to make room for new stuff.
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Duckbean
fully equipped rock polisher
Looking for rocks in all the wrong places
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,072
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Post by Duckbean on Jul 19, 2006 19:17:31 GMT -5
Tracerace I hate to be the one to tell you this , But being broke, That's part of this hobby! Rocks tumblers saws grinders and so on and so on and the horrible thing is that it is such fun! LOL And remember the only stupid question is the one unasked, We've all been where you are at one time so ask away!
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Post by BAZ on Jul 31, 2006 20:28:43 GMT -5
Hi tracerace, I like to hit the library and check out books in the gem and mineral category. I started out just by reading up on my favorites and eventually all the technical stuff (hardness, fracture, specific gravity, etc.) just sunk in. I have about 5 gem and mineral books on my nightstand that I pick up whenever I get the whim and it all seems to stick as I frequently bore my non-rockhound freinds with the facts!
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tracerace
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2006
Posts: 5
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Post by tracerace on Aug 2, 2006 10:16:13 GMT -5
Hi you guys....I wanted to update...I got my tumbler and supplies but I've been sidetracked for now. I have horses and early last week somone told me about a little pony that was being neglected not far from here. Long story short, I retrieved the pony and we've been trying to nurse the poor pitiful thing back to some degree of comfort (it's the worst case I've ever seen - even the vet and farrier were shocked). So, I haven't even opened my boxes yet......but I will, and I'll be back . Once this pony is able to travel she'll be going to a rescue. Thanks for all your ideas and encouragement! I'm really looking forward to playing in some rocks! Tracy
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Post by Cher on Aug 3, 2006 10:55:39 GMT -5
Hi Tracy, welcome to the RTH forums. Thank you for doing what you can to try and save that pony, I hope the people were turned into the sheriff for animal abuse. Looking forward to having you get into tumbling with your daughter, it's a great hobby to do together.
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Aug 3, 2006 19:35:11 GMT -5
Hey Tracey, if you are lucky enough to be able to wire wrap, that's great. But you'll soon find that being able to produce your own rocks is definitely an advantage. Like John said, there is way too much here for most to read through. There is a ton of information here though. Don't hesitate about asking questions though. We have plenty of answers! Ron
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Shelbeeray
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2006
Posts: 688
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Post by Shelbeeray on Aug 7, 2006 20:14:54 GMT -5
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