what to tumble together

buckwheat69
noticing nice landscape pebbles

How do we get out of here ??

Member since July 2008
Posts: 96

what to tumble together Jul 12, 2008 15:15:12 GMT -5

Quote

Post by buckwheat69 on Jul 12, 2008 15:15:12 GMT -5

new guy here just a few questions.
got bite by the mining bug. now i have all this gem rough. bought a tumbler last week and ready for a spinn. i have a few ponds of saffiers and rubys, a bag of emeralds. can the emerald be polished with the Ruby's? and I'm just wanting to polish up corundum(hope i spelled it right).not shape it ,does it need the course grit or should i go straight for the fine grit then polish?. I did find a huge saffier 3 in tall, inch across hexagonal shape this is in the batch to be polished

also have a bunch of jade and moonstone, amethyst,rose quartz citrine ect. was gonna tumble these together will that be OK ??

thank you in advance
Buckwheat69

Steve
Check out my store "STONE WORKS" at EBIDDZ.com
www.ebiddz.com/stores.php

snivlem starting to spend too much on rocks Member since February 2008 Posts: 167	what to tumble together Jul 12, 2008 17:22:43 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by snivlem on Jul 12, 2008 17:22:43 GMT -5 I'm not sure about all of the specifics, but use the Mohs' hardness scale, and if they are within 1-1&1/2 points of each other, you should be okay.
	using... Workforce Tile Saw Thumler's UV-10 Vibe

LCARS
has started giving rock gifts

Keep Rollin'!

Member since September 2005
Posts: 3,839

what to tumble together Jul 14, 2008 12:05:47 GMT -5

Quote

Post by LCARS on Jul 14, 2008 12:05:47 GMT -5

As a beginner to tumbling, trying to tumble stones that are higher than 8 in hardness is more than likely going to frustrate the hell out of you, especially if you mix them with any softer stones.

Tumbling is only going to be practically effective when all your stones are simillar in hardness. Each type of stone, even if simillar in hardness to another stone, has it's own specific requirements for good tumbling results as well.

Quartzes, jaspers and agates between 6-7 mohs can tumble together but harder gems will take forever and just eat everything you can throw at them. Softer stones will wear quickly and don't polish as well when mixed with harder stones.

If you spend some time surfing the lapidary tips & rock tumbling threads you should come across plenty of usefull info.

Good luck & happy rock hounding!

This signature uses invisible ink for your security.

« Prev
1
Next »

rocknrob: That was one heck of a windstorm that thankfully missed me. I guess Seatac almost hit 60mph gusts. I bet those were some fun landings Nov 20, 2024 21:55:16 GMT -5

Post by buckwheat69 on Jul 12, 2008 15:15:12 GMT -5

Post by snivlem on Jul 12, 2008 17:22:43 GMT -5

Post by LCARS on Jul 14, 2008 12:05:47 GMT -5

Chat Box v.2