karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Aug 5, 2008 21:29:42 GMT -5
Awhile back, Jim (rockitman) posted a thread in Creating Cabachons: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=ccabs&action=display&thread=24257I was intrigued, so I asked him for more info. His story of how he actually found this stuff is wonderful! I decided I probably couldn't afford his REAL stuff, which is pretty rare and special! So I asked about perhaps buying some of his ends and pieces, if he had any, for tumbling. Jim doesn't tumble. So, he sent me a FRB of his leftovers!!! No charge, he is curious about how it will tumble. Holy cow WOW! Got it today. Doesn't look like much, at first. OK, here are some pix. I received this:   Hmmm, greyish rocks. Then, I got the hose out. Half wet  ALL wet, but the sun went behind clouds!  A little better, I hope  I am not the best photographer, so you can't see how the greens and related colors really POPPED when I got it all wet. Sorry! I will be tumbling some of this, and updating you all on how that goes. I am also going to shape some pieces on my WF, and then tumble in the vibe. It will be an adventure! Thanks, Jim! Karen OK, several days in the tumbler. Jim said it was kinda soft, so of course, I had to check it! Pretty foamy.  Let's see what we have!  Washed off.  Nope, not ready yet. They are going back in coarse grit for another week. I did start a load in the vibe, too.  It's an adventure. |
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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
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Post by luv2hound on Aug 5, 2008 22:37:20 GMT -5
Karen, I cant wait to see how these turn out. Be sure to keep us updated.
Mitzi
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Post by Tonyterner on Aug 6, 2008 9:32:20 GMT -5
Looks pretty nice. Any idea on the hardness?
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Aug 6, 2008 9:36:16 GMT -5
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Post by frane on Aug 6, 2008 11:27:31 GMT -5
Wow, that should really turn out nice if it can hold together. From what I have seen, it has a hardness up to 6.5.
I will look forward to the results!
Fran
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Post by sitnwrap on Aug 6, 2008 14:04:10 GMT -5
You certainly have enough to tumble and it sure is a heck of a lot more than end cuts. It looks like are really pretty bunch of rough. Will be looking forward to the tumble pic.
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Aug 12, 2008 19:03:43 GMT -5
Well, I left the Vesuvianite in the vibe a little too long!!  I checked it in the AM prior to work, then again at about 6 PM. OOOHHH, what a mess. I wondered why the vibe was so quiet! It was no longer rolling along. Everything was a gluey mess! So, cleaned it out and started over. Less than 24 hours. Note to self: check more often! ;D |
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Aug 18, 2008 23:24:33 GMT -5
Here's an update on the Vesuvianite. These have been in the VIBE, not the rotary, for the first 2 steps. Skipped the coarse grit, just as an experiment. Ves. on the left, other stuff on the right.  Before and after.  The colors are really starting to come out! And one of these days I will learn to focus my camera up close and without looking thru the viewfinder.  K |
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Aug 18, 2008 23:29:38 GMT -5
Jim, I did try my strongest magnet, nothing??? Do I need a stronger magnet?
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Post by Titania on Aug 19, 2008 7:01:16 GMT -5
Wow, can't wait to see how these turn out!
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Post by frane on Aug 22, 2008 15:19:56 GMT -5
Wow, the colors are really great on both groups!
I can't wait to see the final result!
Fran
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Sept 4, 2008 1:15:18 GMT -5
Well, I have been fighting with the Vesuvianite! AArgh, it's kicking my butt. Here's my latest.  As you can see, on the left is the V, on the right is other stuff. The other stuff is getting shiny, the V is not. It has the potential, tho! At least some of what I tumbled does.  Jim said that his stuff is similar to jade. So I included a piece of Nephrite's jade from the ocean, plus a chunk of green agate, in the tumble.  The jade is not super shiny, the agate is getting there. So, folks, still working on this. Sorry, Jim, no good results yet. K |
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Sept 4, 2008 7:02:08 GMT -5
Thanks for the photos. I am enjoying watching the progress.
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Sept 4, 2008 10:05:56 GMT -5
I tried tumbling some awhile back and only got so-so results, it seams to start getting a shine after the finer grits. I think most of it is just to soft, althu I always throw some in most of my batches. Good luck
Dennis
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Post by rockrookie on Sept 6, 2008 20:34:30 GMT -5
seeing what rocks look like before ,then after ,completly justifies addiction!!!!!!!!!!-------paul
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Sept 9, 2008 2:25:03 GMT -5
Well, it seems that I have gone as far as I can go with Jim's rocks. I have tumbled them to their ultimate tumbling point!
My next step is to apply a little heat to those amazing green rocks.
I hear they do very well on a bench grinder, with certain polishing techniques.
I will be contacting my local welding professional, and asking him to help me out.
I will let you know what happens.
What fun!
And the other stuff is back in the vibe for more polish for a day or two.
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