Horn Corals...

chrisperez
spending too much on rocks

Member since January 2009
Posts: 457

Horn Corals... Jan 20, 2009 22:34:04 GMT -5

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Post by chrisperez on Jan 20, 2009 22:34:04 GMT -5

Hello all... I was wondering if anyone has any experience with cutting and tumbling horn coral fossils? for example...

I would assume I could use a tile saw to cut it, but I'm not sure how thick I could safely cut it. Also, how to hold them.... I was thinking about setting them in a paper towel tube and pouring plaster in the tube....

And does anyone know if they will tumble well, or should I worry about them breaking apart?

I have all king of interesting rocks I have found at various job sites around the area here and just got into rock tumbling this Christmas ( thanks to my better half, love ya baby ). In fact I just posted pics of my first tumble ( see the photos forum ).

thanks for all the help,
Chris

Sabre52
Cave Dweller

Me and my gal, Rosie

Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,496

Horn Corals... Jan 20, 2009 22:50:13 GMT -5

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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 20, 2009 22:50:13 GMT -5

Howdy Chris, There are several types of horn coral you encounter depending on what mineral preserved them. A tile saw should cut all of it and 3/16 to 1/4 inch slabs should be fine. The red coral out of Utah is agatized, hard, and tumbles pretty well after being sliced. Sometimes there are gray inclusions that are somewhat softer though. There is also black horned coral out of Utah that tends to be softer inside but well replaced by agate toward the exterior. The center would probably undercut when tumbled due to this softness. The third common type is the gold or brown coral from Texas and Mexico which tends to be replaced with calcite and maybe only mohs 4 or so. This cabs up real fine but the softness might make it tough to tumble to a glassy finish. Some of the Texas stuff may be harder but I've only had the soft stuff to work......Mel

Saskrock fully equipped rock polisher Member since October 2007 Posts: 1,852	Horn Corals... Jan 20, 2009 22:51:16 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Saskrock on Jan 20, 2009 22:51:16 GMT -5 Can't answer any of those questions but neat finds. I would be very tempted just to keep them as is.
	Scott

johnjsgems gets rocks for Christmas Member since August 2007 Posts: 6,959	Horn Corals... Jan 21, 2009 10:17:29 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by johnjsgems on Jan 21, 2009 10:17:29 GMT -5 I dome the ends and leave them as specimens. I've seen some sliced and polished as roundish cabs. The end view detailing makes very interesting cabs. I'm not sure tumbling would be a good way to go.
	John at JS Gems www.jsgemslapidary.com

Hard Rock Cafe
driving up their electric bill

Rock tumbling is harder than it looks. Mohs definitely.

Member since April 2008
Posts: 2,735

Horn Corals... Jan 21, 2009 13:20:10 GMT -5

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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jan 21, 2009 13:20:10 GMT -5

I've got some from Ohio that tend to be gray. I've toyed with work cutting and cabbing, but I think they're too soft.

If you had enough of them to do a full load, you might be able to vibe tumble slabs. I don't think I'd put them in a rotary, especially not whole. But I'd rather cab or face polish them. For me, part of the appeal is the texture of the exterior.

Chuck

Some rocks aspire to greatness; others are destined to be grit carriers.

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Post by chrisperez on Jan 20, 2009 22:34:04 GMT -5

Post by Sabre52 on Jan 20, 2009 22:50:13 GMT -5

Post by Saskrock on Jan 20, 2009 22:51:16 GMT -5

Post by johnjsgems on Jan 21, 2009 10:17:29 GMT -5

Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jan 21, 2009 13:20:10 GMT -5

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