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Post by Tweetiepy on Feb 4, 2005 10:24:17 GMT -5
I saw some pictures of the rough stuff of both of these, but was wondering if anyone had tumbled any of these? I think the bornite is also called peacock ore - if it's some kind of "metal" would it still tumble & polish well? Does anyone have pictures of this stuff after it's polished? I'd love to see what it looks like - it reminds me of lampwork with that dichronic (sp?) finish - I'm a purple freak too! I've finally decided to order up some banded agate & hopefully some plume agate - if I get a good service I will try some of the "imported" stuff like blue lace agate & maybe some Montana agate slices (which I saw at Greenslapidary & love what it looks like rough)
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Feb 4, 2005 10:29:44 GMT -5
I was thinking about trying some Malachite- until I saw the rough- Way to pitted for my taste (can't remember where I saw it) The peacock ore should take on tumble- but I'm not to sure about keeping that rainbow coloring- I almost think that effect comes from oxidation and tumbling would remove that- Hey any of you gods Know if this is correct?
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Rose
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2004
Posts: 875
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Post by Rose on Feb 4, 2005 11:02:11 GMT -5
I have some Malachite in the tumbler at the moment, but its just gone into 220 so will be another couple of weeks yet.
Its VERY soft but shapes up nicely especially if flattish when it goes in, some of the ones I have in there are going to make great pendants so long as they polish up ok, its the first time I've tried it. I've not got a lot of it in though - its quite expensive here.
I have others that have held back for another go in 80 when I do another load because as Stefan said its very badly pitted.
I'll post pics when they are done.
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Malkavic
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since March 2004
Posts: 77
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Post by Malkavic on Feb 5, 2005 8:45:15 GMT -5
I've worked with Malachite a bit, and it is a soft stone... basically melts away with a diamond dremel bit... turns your fingers green as well... it seems Malachite "grows" as either very fine crystals and looks like moss on a rock, or it grows in larger bubbles... the bubbles might be a bit better for tumbling... I've only bought it in slab form, to be used with my grinding unit. Ebay usually has a few pieces of good quality, but be careful. It does get expensive for larger pieces, and is seemingly rare to find in good amounts.
As for peacock ore, from what i've read it is another copper concoction... has a hardness of 3, and the colors are caused by the crystals tarnishing in oxygen. Tumbling might cause the tarnish to wear off... not sure though. I found this information through a search of Metacrawler, putting in "Peacock Ore" as my target.
Have fun all...
Billy
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Post by Noosh9057 on Feb 5, 2005 11:36:00 GMT -5
Well I just put in a order from Dads Rock Shop for some blue lace agate. I cant wait till it gets here. I will let you no what it looks like.
Roger
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Post by creativeminded on Feb 5, 2005 12:05:40 GMT -5
The only malachite I have I bought tumbled and polished and it is beautiful. Here is a picture of the two I have left. Tami
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joanna
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2004
Posts: 385
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Post by joanna on Feb 5, 2005 16:17:00 GMT -5
Warning: Do not tumble peacock ore! My newbie mistake last summer. It's a soft ore and all the pretty colors are gone and I ended up with little lumps of copper. At least I didn't tumble all of the pieces I bought(most), but I still grumble at myself for doing it.
After I read up on it I realized I made an obvious mistake. My usual mode of operation, dive right in and if something goes wrong, then read the info.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Feb 7, 2005 10:44:55 GMT -5
Ha- Thank you for sharing- I was gonna take the one piece I have and toss it in with some sodalite and other soft stuff I have waiting- Your Newbie mistake sved me from making one so to this I thank you!
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Post by Tweetiepy on Feb 7, 2005 11:07:02 GMT -5
Would this be something that is better to make a cab out of?
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joanna
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2004
Posts: 385
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Post by joanna on Feb 7, 2005 15:13:01 GMT -5
I think you'd end up with the same problem. The colorful area is just on the surface. I ground off a few of the sharp edges and it's just a copper color underneath.
Yep, good thing I got a few other rocks from my trip to Washington last summer, kind of messed up the peacock ore.
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Post by hermatite on Feb 7, 2005 15:15:45 GMT -5
I think malachite is toxic. Please be careful when grinding it.
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