Black

Terry664
fully equipped rock polisher

Member since March 2005
Posts: 1,146

Black Aug 2, 2008 19:41:44 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Terry664 on Aug 2, 2008 19:41:44 GMT -5

Ok I have not been doing this a real long time 3 years +, but I have never seen this, it has never happened to me before, and I have never seen a post about it. These are white pellets in this picture, but somehow they turned black. Now I was doing some local black rock but I have done it before with no problem. Any suggestions, I am going to wash real well in Borax to see what happens, but does anyone think I should just throw them away?
Terry

Don't let life get you down, because it will if you let it

SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher

Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900

Black Aug 2, 2008 20:58:08 GMT -5

Quote

Post by SteveHolmes on Aug 2, 2008 20:58:08 GMT -5

Terry,
I wouldn't throw them away. My pellets have turned grey to black, and I still use them. I don't think it's gonna contaminate your polish stage...I sure wouldn't think so. Just as long as you Borax them really well and of course, use them in the stage they came from.
Steve

rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher

Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507

Black Aug 2, 2008 21:07:36 GMT -5

Quote

Post by rallyrocks on Aug 2, 2008 21:07:36 GMT -5

Thats just what happens, I wouldn't use those pellets for a polish stage, but no reason not to recycle them in the grade stage they came from.

I try to use pellets over and over again, but always bagging them up for use next time around in that same stage, never carrying pellets from one stage to the next

"I used to be 'with it' - then they changed what 'it' is. Now what I'm with isn't 'it' anymore and what is 'it' is wierd and scarey to me... It will happen to you, too." - Grandpa Simpson

luv2hound freely admits to licking rocks I try & I try, but dang it! Those rocks just keep ending up in my pockets Member since June 2007 Posts: 890	Black Aug 2, 2008 21:08:21 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by luv2hound on Aug 2, 2008 21:08:21 GMT -5 I agree. Dont throw them away. My pellets are stained too. I dont use the same pellets for all stages. I have different pellets for each stage. That way there is no chance of cross contamination. Mitzi

Sabre52 Cave Dweller Me and my gal, Rosie Member since August 2005 Posts: 20,494	Black Aug 2, 2008 22:22:58 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Sabre52 on Aug 2, 2008 22:22:58 GMT -5 My pellets get stained every time I do a batch of jasper or agate rich in manganese. I still use them like the other folks said, in the same stage they came from....Mel

Terry664 fully equipped rock polisher Member since March 2005 Posts: 1,146	Black Aug 2, 2008 23:32:39 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Terry664 on Aug 2, 2008 23:32:39 GMT -5 I have had stained pellets before also, these are not stained the whole batch is coal black. I do use same pellets over and over but only in same stage. Terry
	Don't let life get you down, because it will if you let it

creativeminded
still telling self it's just a hobby

I am a crazy crafter.

Member since January 2004
Posts: 4,524

Black Aug 3, 2008 9:31:24 GMT -5

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Post by creativeminded on Aug 3, 2008 9:31:24 GMT -5

I wouldn't worry about it, I am surprised that in 3 years your pellets haven't changed color. I have varying shades from black to light grey and my tripoli and polish pellets have a slight tan coloring to them. Some of the pellets I have been using since I started tumbling 5 years ago.
I literally glazed some ginger jars with lids, that I poked holes in, and labeled them with each stage to put my pellets in.
Tami

Necessity is the mother of invention

Terry664
fully equipped rock polisher

Member since March 2005
Posts: 1,146

Black Aug 3, 2008 13:20:16 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Terry664 on Aug 3, 2008 13:20:16 GMT -5

Tami, they always change color, I was just surprised at how black they are, almost like they were dyed. Maybe I should also say that they went from dingy white to total Black in 1 week, plus the slurry and water was black, not a dark gray. Like when something bleeds in your washer. But no rocks were affected by the black color.
Terry

Last Edit: Aug 3, 2008 13:27:50 GMT -5 by Terry664

Don't let life get you down, because it will if you let it

181lizard Cave Dweller Still lurking :) Member since December 2005 Posts: 2,171	Black Aug 3, 2008 15:40:03 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by 181lizard on Aug 3, 2008 15:40:03 GMT -5 Terry...I have some just like them! I just use them in #2...which for me...is where they turned to begin with!
	liz opportunity is for the taking. Look inside yourself, you'll see. Then go clean up your own backyard...leave my yard to me. rossington collins band.

Bikerrandy can identify rocks - even green ones Say what?? Member since September 2005 Posts: 15,688	Black Aug 3, 2008 16:56:30 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Bikerrandy on Aug 3, 2008 16:56:30 GMT -5 I have a bag of pellets for each stage, each labeled "coarse, medium, polish". Keep on using them, they last forever! I also burnish between each stage while the pellets are still in, they come out fairly clean each time.
	The reason they say 'Women and children first' is to test the strength of the life boat Rockhobby on Facebook Check out

181lizard Cave Dweller Still lurking :) Member since December 2005 Posts: 2,171	Black Aug 3, 2008 19:43:03 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by 181lizard on Aug 3, 2008 19:43:03 GMT -5 Randy...I burnish the hell outta things! These pellets are staying this color no matter what I do!LOL
	liz opportunity is for the taking. Look inside yourself, you'll see. Then go clean up your own backyard...leave my yard to me. rossington collins band.

Roan has rocks in the head Member since January 2008 Posts: 600	Black Aug 4, 2008 11:48:00 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Roan on Aug 4, 2008 11:48:00 GMT -5 I had some turn that color after I used them with a batch of serpentine. The stuff was heavy in pyrites and I think it dyed the pellets.