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Post by frane on Dec 26, 2008 21:09:44 GMT -5
 I treated this Lapis Lazuli with kid gloves all the way through this tumble. Before going to GA back in October, they had ran in AO polish for 3 days, then I pulled all my tumblers and washed everything out. Well, at that point, they had already started shinning and just needed a little more so when I came back, I reloaded and put them in AO polish with plastic pellets as before...This time, after running 10 days, they were not shinny at all around all edges. I started the 550 over, went to 1000 and then borax wash and redid the polish. I am still getting dull edges but not as bad as the last time. Someone told me a dry load with corncob and polish may work. What do you all think?    Thanks for any help with this. Fran
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Post by Bikerrandy on Dec 26, 2008 21:22:22 GMT -5
Is this a vibe or rotary tumble? Are the rocks at the correct level (3/4 full)? Do you have and tiny tumbles (polished) from previous batches? You may need to load up some filler, something harder then pellets, and give it another try, that's the only thing that I can think of.
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Post by frane on Dec 26, 2008 21:56:55 GMT -5
Out of the 3 lbs I started with, I finished in a 1 1/2 lb. tumber. I didn't have any from a prior tumble. This is the first time I had tried it. I really like lapis so I am thinking I just may have to break down and get another 3-4 lbs and let that get up to a good point and then put it all in my vibe. It seems to be about a 5.5- 6. hardness so I really don't have too much that will go with it without hurting it. The parts that are really giving me grief seem to be the white areas more than any other. They were pretty shiny after the 3 days and then I just lost it. Not sure why.
Fran
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,496
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Post by Sabre52 on Dec 26, 2008 23:31:37 GMT -5
Yeah. my guess would be not enough filler to cushion the load. Those rough edges are usually the result of the stones knocking together in the thinner slurry of the polish stage. I haven't tumbled lapis but have had similar problems with obsidian and tiger eye. I'd add tinies or ceramic pellets along with lots of plastic pellets to prevent those collisions...Mel
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Post by NatureNut on Dec 27, 2008 8:09:58 GMT -5
Fran, if you don't have ceramic, you could use marbles for filler in the vibe. Also, the stuff I sent you is between 6 and 7 on mohs. Good luck, they are beautiful. Jo
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Post by sparkles on Dec 27, 2008 8:41:28 GMT -5
Very nice Lapis tumbles Fran, that's some sweet looking stone, and your process seems good and thorough. I don't have a vibe tumbler but use rotaries, and generally about that size load, 1.5lb.
I too have had this problem in my rotary tumbles from time to time, it starts as a frosting on the edges, and develops in to deeper chipping and pitting the longer it goes on. I agree that softer rocks can cause this, Obsidian, Tigers Eye, Lapis, Sodalite etc...
My only solution is to use lots of ready polished chips, and fill that barrel up, smaller pebbles the better. I use tiny flint chips now, and it's helped no-end at the final stage. It also seems to be more prevelant with AO polish, so I opt for Cerium with these softer stones. Works for me! Hope it helps! ;D
Have fun,
Cheers,
Sparkles.
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Rogue Trader
freely admits to licking rocks
"Don't cry because you are leaving, smile because you were there."
Member since December 2008
Posts: 839
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Post by Rogue Trader on Dec 27, 2008 9:41:04 GMT -5
I'm not an expert on Lapis by any means, but, having suffered these effects on my first two attempts at it, I tried another method that worked very well.  I filled the barrel well above the normal level required and/or suggested, so that the rocks rubbed against each other as opposed to tumbling against each other. Then checked them every two days and topped up with rough rock if it was needed. It took longer to tumble them but the wait was worth the time and effort.  |
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Post by frane on Dec 27, 2008 10:19:34 GMT -5
Thank you everyone for your suggestions! It has to be that I just wore it all down too small so now, I will step back and work it all again to get it where it is supposed to be. it is such a pretty stone, it really needs to be nice an shiny!
Fran
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88pathoffroad
spending too much on rocks
Oregon ROCKS!
Member since August 2008
Posts: 305
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Post by 88pathoffroad on Dec 28, 2008 14:42:30 GMT -5
Lazurite generally runs between 5-5.5 hardness but can be softer depending on the calcite content. Perhaps it's a bit softer than you expected? Would reducing your barrel speed help I wonder?
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Post by frane on Dec 28, 2008 21:52:47 GMT -5
I might have to do that. I really want these to turn out well and I have hit a road block. As soon as I get something out of the tumblers I am going to try it again.
Fran
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I treated this Lapis Lazuli with kid gloves all the way through this tumble. Before going to GA back in October, they had ran in AO polish for 3 days, then I pulled all my tumblers and washed everything out. Well, at that point, they had already started shinning and just needed a little more so when I came back, I reloaded and put them in AO polish with plastic pellets as before...This time, after running 10 days, they were not shinny at all around all edges. I started the 550 over, went to 1000 and then borax wash and redid the polish. I am still getting dull edges but not as bad as the last time. Someone told me a dry load with corncob and polish may work. What do you all think?
