ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Oct 19, 2008 0:05:56 GMT -5
Several months ago, I decided to start a big project to work through all of the misc. tumble rough that I had around. I wanted to work through all of the mixed stuff so that I could start running homogenous batches after that. So I ran all my remaining mixed rough through multiple rounds of 60/90 SC coarse, then 120 SC for 7 days, 500 SC for 7 days, 1000 AO for 7 days, AO polish for 10 days, then a quick burnish. Here are the results. Some came out great, some so-so, depending on the starting material.   Aventurine (I think! Maybe some green quartz?):    I really like the pattern on the tiger's eye at front:  The picture jasper failed to get a good shine:  but this one came out almost like a cab:  Mixed red ones (I think the bottom one is carnelian agate, and the one to the right of it red jasper):  Some agates etc.:  Thanks for looking! I'll have a second barrel of this mixed stuff in a few weeks. |
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 19, 2008 1:54:00 GMT -5
Hi,
Nice batch you got a good shine on some real good
What is the blue stone under the Amy photo ?
Its georgous
Pity about the Picture Jasper the designs are most impresive,
Only thing I would say is increase the 120g to 2 weeks and get a good foundation on the stones
I get a good shine on Jaspers with SO and (of late in vibe ) Rapid 61 I got sent from USA
thanks for showing
Jack
YorkshireUK
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Oct 19, 2008 7:25:55 GMT -5
I'm not sure what the blue ones are. Sodalite? Lapis?
I do get a good shine on most jaspers, but I can never quite pull it off for picture jasper. I could try running it through pre- and polish again to see if it improves...
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 20, 2008 0:52:29 GMT -5
Do You Burnish them for 24 to 48 hrs ?
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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Post by Noosh9057 on Oct 20, 2008 7:55:51 GMT -5
Great job. I love the green quartz.
Roger
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rockerfellerz
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 120
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Post by rockerfellerz on Oct 20, 2008 8:08:13 GMT -5
Nice batch! I like the carnelian and the blue stones the best.
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Oct 20, 2008 12:31:35 GMT -5
Jack: I did a 2 hour burnish. I was horrified when a 3-day burnish ruined a similar mixed batch a few weeks back, so I've limited by burnishes to just a few hours since then.
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tombodc
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2008
Posts: 88
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Post by tombodc on Oct 20, 2008 12:46:02 GMT -5
What exactly do you do when you burnish??? Water or just Borax? How much? Any plastic pellets?
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Oct 20, 2008 18:53:09 GMT -5
Tombodc: I think I follow a fairly standard protocol. I burnish (rinse) after the two pre-polish stages (500 SC and 1000 AO) and after the polish (AO). Each of those times, I rinse off the rocks and pellets and return them all to the barrel. I add the usual amount of water and 1 TB of borax. I reseal and then tumble for a few hours to rinse any remaining grit/polish off the rocks. I then rinse everything thoroughly again. I separate out the pellets (and save them for the next time I run that stage) and then move on the rocks to the next stage (if pre-polish) or consider them to be done (if polish).
Is that different than the usual method?
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 21, 2008 2:16:27 GMT -5
Hi Ejs & Tombodc,
I add soap to the borax and water mixture as well as pellets and I have tries short runs and long runs and found that no less than 24 hours and no longer than 36 to 48 Hrs MAX
Now thats just my own findings
Ejs you had bad results with a72 hour what was the problem ? fractures , sharp edges ? a grain or two of rough grit lossed from a crack ?
To look at whats happening in the barrel , Burnishing is just rubbing stone on stone, so they need a bit of cussioning a few pellets , Ivory soap, and borax to clean out the "pores" or any dirt left on the stone
I find this realy cleans them up and the water is realy dirty after 24 to 36 hrs. and after another good wash they are ready for the polishing cycle
Can I say again This is MY OWN experiance , Your experiance can be different ,as different as the rocks we tumble ! ! !
Just try and experiment AND dont forget to keep a log of your procedure
Have a good day
Jack
Yorkshire UK
PS
Ejs
Looking at your finish you have a excelent finish as it is I would say its the type of rock(Picture Jasper) that is not responding to that type of polish J
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Post by sitnwrap on Oct 22, 2008 22:44:31 GMT -5
ejs, you have some beautiful tumbles there. I love the picture jasper even without the shine. Don't some stones only shine to a matt finish? either way, imho, it doesn't take away from the beauty.
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Post by sparkles on Oct 23, 2008 6:43:48 GMT -5
Nice job EJS, Those stones came out great! I really like your Amethysts, super contrast and very nicely shaped, that's no mean feat! The Aventurines are wonderful too, very pretty stones, you hit an ace there an no mistake. I'm really pleased to hear that you got a nice batch that your happy with, from where I'm standing they looked really lovely, I hope your proud of your efforts after all the strife in getting this far!  Don't loose sleep over the PJ's - that stuff is a nightmare to polish up, and often doesn't take a stellar shine - you got a nicer result than I did first time round! Well Done! Cheers, Sparkles. |
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