Tumbling boulder opals

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snivlem starting to spend too much on rocks Member since February 2008 Posts: 167	Tumbling boulder opals Apr 12, 2008 17:50:50 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by snivlem on Apr 12, 2008 17:50:50 GMT -5 Is it possible to vibe-tumble boulder opals, or would they get pits because of the softness of some of the material?
	using... Workforce Tile Saw Thumler's UV-10 Vibe

docone31 still telling self it's just a hobby Member since June 2003 Posts: 4,476	Tumbling boulder opals Apr 12, 2008 18:11:06 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by docone31 on Apr 12, 2008 18:11:06 GMT -5 I honestly believe, tumbling Boulder Opals would be a waste of money. I am not sure a person could control the vibe enough to make it worth while. I have, honestly, been reluctant to try.
	In the beginning was the Floyd, and the Floyd was with Him, and He was with the Floyd. Syd Barret just disappeared, right after the happening. Lita Ford drives a suburban! Big Hair Heavy Metal is dead. Oh weeping and gnashing of teeth, the end is near. The answer is 42. 42! BING! BIG BING! Follow the White Rabbit!

calxoddity
off to a rocking start

Me lying sideways on custard spill

Member since February 2008
Posts: 19

Tumbling boulder opals Apr 15, 2008 22:05:24 GMT -5

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Post by calxoddity on Apr 15, 2008 22:05:24 GMT -5

Yes, you can tumble boulder opal - I have some in my bottom drawer at home from many years ago that we tumbled. You have to be a little careful with the stones you choose and not use too coarse a grit or the opal will be overly-eroded. Good results were achieved with matrix, seam and nodule examples including ones with some solid sections of ironstone.

Calxoddity
Concert Pianist, Test Pilot, Pathological Liar

snivlem
starting to spend too much on rocks

Member since February 2008
Posts: 167

Tumbling boulder opals Apr 16, 2008 0:01:37 GMT -5

Quote

Post by snivlem on Apr 16, 2008 0:01:37 GMT -5

Thanks,
I was considering pre-forming some boulder matrix and using a lite version of connrock's vibe method, I was just worrying that the 120-220 stage might make some pits in the softer parts of the stone....
anyone else....
thanks!

using...
Workforce Tile Saw
Thumler's UV-10 Vibe

americanbulldogsnj
has rocks in the head

Member since March 2005
Posts: 512

Tumbling boulder opals Apr 18, 2008 8:59:10 GMT -5

Quote

Post by americanbulldogsnj on Apr 18, 2008 8:59:10 GMT -5

I've tried every way conceivable to tumble, vibe with all ratios and roughness of grit and pellet with my boulder opal and all of them failed. It undercuts terribly and the opal is so fragile it grinds away very quickly. The only real way I've found to get a simple rough artsy look is to cut them into simple square cabs and polish or buff lightly, maybe alittle mineral oil. It's like working with dried mud it's very fragile, I've lost alot of good pieces, however tragic a good learning experience on the whole... Good luck!
Marian

Last Edit: Apr 18, 2008 8:59:56 GMT -5 by americanbulldogsnj

calxoddity off to a rocking start Me lying sideways on custard spill Member since February 2008 Posts: 19	Tumbling boulder opals Apr 19, 2008 4:56:11 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by calxoddity on Apr 19, 2008 4:56:11 GMT -5 Interesting - if the weather clears tomorrow I'll take some pikkies of the tumbled boulder opal sourced from SW Queensland - around Yowah. These were however tumbled with a rotary tumbler, not a vibe. Regards, Shane
	Calxoddity Concert Pianist, Test Pilot, Pathological Liar

snivlem starting to spend too much on rocks Member since February 2008 Posts: 167	Tumbling boulder opals Apr 19, 2008 22:10:51 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by snivlem on Apr 19, 2008 22:10:51 GMT -5 Yeah anybody else? I sure hate to waste good money and/or good rocks, but I really want to play with some koroits!
	using... Workforce Tile Saw Thumler's UV-10 Vibe

johnjsgems gets rocks for Christmas Member since August 2007 Posts: 6,959	Tumbling boulder opals Apr 20, 2008 21:52:29 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by johnjsgems on Apr 20, 2008 21:52:29 GMT -5 I have not tried it myself but according to Diamond Pacific you can vibe tumble polish boulder opal with their Vibra-Dry polish.
	John at JS Gems www.jsgemslapidary.com

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