nansaidh
spending too much on rocks
Jewelry artist, graphic designer, dog lover, car nut (etc.)
Member since August 2008
Posts: 311
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Post by nansaidh on Sept 12, 2008 17:35:42 GMT -5
Ok - let me preface this post by saying "I think this is serpentine and I don't see any thing like it in any of my other pieces of serpentine." Having said that.... I moved a batch of rocks (including the piece in question) on from their 2nd week in coarse to 120/220 grit today. While I was cleaning and sorting them (some will go back for a 3rd coarse cycle of these days), I noticed something winked at me from this piece of what I think is serpentine. Then I noticed a few more spots... does serpentine often have mica or pyrite inclusions? I was able to capture the inclusions in a few photos (with stone dry) and have marked them with arrows...      You can't see the flecks as well when the rock is wet but here it is wet anyway:  These photos are unaltered/unadjusted. What are these, do you think? This stone is currently in the 120/220 grit. Whatever it is, it looks pretty neat. Nancy |
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Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
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Post by Roan on Sept 12, 2008 20:25:54 GMT -5
Pyrites.
I had an 18# serpentine full of them. I wacked off quite a bit and then sent the rest to stonesthatrock for slabbing.
They are a pain in the butt for tumbling. The undercut was amazing and the few that I tried ended up as just big blobs of pyrites. All the green and yellow ground off in the abyss -- even in the vibe.
Eileen
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nansaidh
spending too much on rocks
Jewelry artist, graphic designer, dog lover, car nut (etc.)
Member since August 2008
Posts: 311
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Post by nansaidh on Sept 13, 2008 12:14:07 GMT -5
Thanks Eileen! I hope this one stays together somewhat.
Nancy
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Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
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Post by Roan on Sept 13, 2008 16:49:05 GMT -5
Looks okay so far. I put a 2" piece that had lots of green and yellow in it in my rotary and three days later it was about 1" in size with almost no green and yellow to be seen. It did, however, make awesome slabs for my trees  |
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nansaidh
spending too much on rocks
Jewelry artist, graphic designer, dog lover, car nut (etc.)
Member since August 2008
Posts: 311
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Post by nansaidh on Sept 14, 2008 11:41:01 GMT -5
Looks okay so far. I put a 2" piece that had lots of green and yellow in it in my rotary and three days later it was about 1" in size with almost no green and yellow to be seen. It did, however, make awesome slabs for my trees I bet!!  |
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nansaidh
spending too much on rocks
Jewelry artist, graphic designer, dog lover, car nut (etc.)
Member since August 2008
Posts: 311
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Post by nansaidh on Sept 19, 2008 16:09:28 GMT -5
well, this batch went into 500 today and I can't even tell which rock this was, so I guess it wore away past the pyrite although I didn't see any pyrite bits in my wash. Oh well!
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Sept 21, 2008 1:46:21 GMT -5
Interesting rock
Jack Yorkshire uk
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Sept 22, 2008 8:41:19 GMT -5
Fill the Pyrite voids with crazy glue (after a good cleaning) will keep them intact for the tumble!
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nansaidh
spending too much on rocks
Jewelry artist, graphic designer, dog lover, car nut (etc.)
Member since August 2008
Posts: 311
|
Post by nansaidh on Sept 22, 2008 12:14:45 GMT -5
Stefan - The rock has already tumbled down so far I can't even be sure which piece it was, when I cleaned & recharged for the 500 grit.  But if I find another piece like this, I'll know what to do! Nancy |
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But if I find another piece like this, I'll know what to do! 
