randy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 117
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Post by randy on Oct 1, 2008 22:55:07 GMT -5
I will be starting a 3# barrel of garnets from Berg's and some Lake Superior agates as filler. I have done a little searching here and the only real advice that I have found is that LapidaryRough suggests using 220 as the first stage grit. I would like to hear any thoughts for tumbing almandine garnets. I am planning on giving them to my grand daughter that was born in January so I want them to come out nice for her. Of course, I get a few (I was born in January too) and I get all of the Lake Superior agates. ;D Thanks for being a great group.  Randy |
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garrett
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 62
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Post by garrett on Oct 1, 2008 23:34:08 GMT -5
Garnets, wow, good luck!
I’ve tried to tumble garnets three times and have learned three ways not to tumble garnets. I do believe starting with 220 grit is good advice.
To start with I should say, the material I have experience with has been from Wrangle, Alaska, and though some are impressive in size, all (as far as I know) are of poor quality. Hopefully your material is much of higher quality and you will have better luck.
The first time I put them in a 12 lb Lortone with other assorted material (agates & jasper) and they turned out like crap. They would break apart before they would become smooth.
The second time I tried them in a Lot-O vibratory unit. They didn’t break up as bad but they were still crap.
Last month I tried again in a 6 lb Lortone barrel with only garnets and small pieces of obsidian. I have decided there is no acceptable way to tumble garnets from Wrangle.
I’m thinking maybe a person could process the garnets I have on a lap and forget the tumblers.
Garrett
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randy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 117
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Post by randy on Oct 2, 2008 0:01:02 GMT -5
Garrett,
I have a few Wrangle garnets too that I picked up on a recent trip to Ketchikan. The rough that I will be doing is really small compared to the material that you were starting out with. Go to the rough section at Berg's web site to see the size that I will be working with.
I had considered throwing one or two of the "Wrangles" in with the almandines. Maybe I won't now though.
I was planning like 3/4# garnets, 1 1/2# of LSA's, grit and water.
Thanks,
Randy
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 2, 2008 0:47:27 GMT -5
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 2, 2008 2:43:39 GMT -5
Hi I started at 80 Grit 120G, 220G, 600G, 1000G, CO, Burnished and borax washed befor 1000G a good Borax wash in between stages also, and here is the result  They were in a mixed batch Jack Yorkshire UK |
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Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
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Post by Roan on Oct 2, 2008 5:23:11 GMT -5
Wow. This should be interesting! I bought some garnets from Berg's as well and am using them in my rotary as filler for the coarse grind. I just changed out the slurry and gave everything a good rinse and the garnets look almost ready for the vibe. They've been tumbling for a week or so.
So, WHY start them in 120g?
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pebblepup
has rocks in the head
Succor Creek Thunder Egg
Member since July 2008
Posts: 515
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Post by pebblepup on Oct 2, 2008 10:58:42 GMT -5
I have been working garnets from North Idaho for a month now. The first mistake I made was to fill a 3# barrel just under 3/4 full of pea sized garnets. These garnets are very dense so the weight was well over 3# and really stressed the rotary tumbler. I now am adding about two table spoons of garnets to each of my tumbles of other rocks. I have one batch that I started in 60-90 grit that is ready for the next stage and look very promising. I have another batch that I have just started in 120-220 grit. As I get further along I will try to post updates to this topic.
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Post by connrock on Oct 3, 2008 4:55:26 GMT -5
I didn't read this entire thread so if I'm repeating something forgive me.
We have a lot of almandine garnets in CT and it's out state gemstone.
Their quality is terrible but they are good specimen pieces for mineral collectors as they have a perfect crystal shape.
I tumbled a load long ago and they came out fair to midland.They are in a mica schist which makes them even mor difficult to polish.
The garnets rollingstone and Jack tumbled ar eof good quality and that is why they came out so nice.
The garnets in the photo's from Alaska are loaded with iron and that's why they come out lousy.
What I am saying is ,,,,junk in,,,,,junk out.
good luck.
connrock
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