waterlily
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2005
Posts: 1
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Post by waterlily on Aug 7, 2005 14:15:59 GMT -5
Hello everyone!
I'm new to the group and new to tumbling as well! I have just purchased a small Lortone tumbler and the starter grit kit.
I have some larimar rough chunks that I would like to tumble into polished nuggets for use in wire wrapping and beads, but I cannot find *any* information as to successfully tumble larimar. Even the MOH hardness description seems to vary from website to website. It's been rated anywhere from 5-8 MOH.
Has anyone else worked with this stone before? It's beautiful rough stone and I would hate to wreck it!
Thanks in advance for your help...
Mary
"waterlily"
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Post by krazydiamond on Aug 7, 2005 14:33:38 GMT -5
Banjo was looking for Larimar a while back, that is expensive stuff, isn't it? and i don't think you tumble it.....i think you cab it..? not sure, will do a little research on it, Mary...for your first tumble, i'd go with something more conventional, some quarts or amethyst or agate (all MOH 7), then once you get the hang of it you can experiment with some of the softer stones.
but i'd really wait before you toss the Larimar in your barrel!
KD
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Post by Toad on Aug 7, 2005 17:26:24 GMT -5
I'd post this on the general board, probably get more help there.
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walrusleather
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2005
Posts: 193
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Post by walrusleather on Aug 7, 2005 20:25:38 GMT -5
i wouldnt waste lorimar on a tumble, less its lower end stuff
I wanted more for cabbing, its a type of pectolite so mediuym hardness with cer oxide finish i suspect.
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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 Aug 7, 2005 23:34:20 GMT -5
Hi Mary I tumbled about a pound of it with charoite and lapis. It was the first batch I tried and I should have waited till I found this board. It turned out all right , but didn't get that great a shine. I used cerium oxide on mine. and just watched it every day or so till it looked the way I wanted it.You may want to try your hand at polishing other softer stones till you get the feel for them. Or just go for it and see what happenslike I did.
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Aug 8, 2005 11:41:38 GMT -5
Welcome Mary- Hmmm I think I would hold on to it for awhile- seems like a pretty expensive stone- get your feet wet with something else first- If you have your heart set on it- I would start it in 120/220 grit with plastic pellets for cushion- check it everyother day.
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