rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Feb 28, 2008 11:29:02 GMT -5
I picked up a bag of bloodstone at a local rock shop. I finally got around to tumbling it. It came out nice a shiny but after it dried for a half hour these white spots showed up on the bloodstone. I did all the grinds in a 6lb rotary barrel then polished in a vibe with Tin Oxide. Should go back and grind the bloodstone more?  Rick |
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Post by Cher on Feb 28, 2008 13:04:24 GMT -5
Can you post a picture of the spots?
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Post by akansan on Feb 28, 2008 13:46:17 GMT -5
The only spots I see are the reflection spots!
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Post by Titania on Feb 28, 2008 13:46:25 GMT -5
If you wet one of the bloodstones and then dry it completely by hand, do you still get the white spots?
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181lizard
Cave Dweller 
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Feb 28, 2008 13:54:46 GMT -5
Rick...I've tumbled a little bloodstone & I had some with spots too but I think it's one of two things... 1) needs more tumbling (no kiddin!) 2) needs burnishing I find bloodstone tends to do this alot...  I thought I bought good quality rough (it had good green color with nice blood spots in it) but I had to put it back and let it keep running to get good polish. (this one...I just got tired of messing with it & it sits in a jar...) |
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Post by Michael John on Feb 28, 2008 14:01:20 GMT -5
FWIW, I think the speckling adds character. Opinions would probably be 50/50 on whether it would be prettier as plain green, or prettier with the speckles. You just have to appreciate Mom Nature's beauty for what it is, not what you think it should be.
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Feb 28, 2008 14:31:39 GMT -5
Sorry, I shot a close up of some of the worse offenders. As you can see they have a nice polish. At first I thought it was water spots so I washed them again in soap and water. I dunno if grinding the further will get rid of the spots...  Rick |
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,494
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 29, 2008 10:12:04 GMT -5
Yep, I'm working on some bloodstone now too and there is a lot of variety in both color and quality from the same lot. Still a pretty material though.....Mel
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Feb 29, 2008 12:27:38 GMT -5
looks like the white spots are fractures and pits in the surface.
csroc
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Post by LCARS on Mar 2, 2008 16:34:19 GMT -5
Bloodstone is a tough customer and it requires more time in each stage to look it's best but it sure does deliver on a high shine!  |
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Post by puppie96 on Mar 3, 2008 1:33:14 GMT -5
I had a similar problem. Mine has almost all come out with frosty white at the corners and angles. I thought it was technique, so I've tried regrinding, burnishing, etc., but still haven't gotten rid of it. Yours looks a bit different, almost as if they are inclusions in the rock.
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Mar 3, 2008 10:59:29 GMT -5
I'm going to run them through the vibe tumbler a few stones at my time with my cabs. 150/220 grit for 1 or 2 days, then 600 grit for 1-2 days, then into a separate vibe tumbler for polish with tin oxide for 5 days or more. I'll post more pictures when I get my first batch done.
Rick
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Mar 8, 2008 0:22:00 GMT -5
I kinda like the spots. And I also think they look like inclusions?? Are the spots not as glossy?
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