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Post by frane on Feb 19, 2009 21:10:20 GMT -5
Hi All, I have been working on a bunch of aventurine for a very long time. My tumbles kept splintering where the mica was heaviest in the stones. I sure love how pretty the sparkle is but I really hate how many times I would have to do stones over again. I cut a lot of preforms, added some cutting scraps and a few cabs that didn't shine up well enough on the flat lap and had a full load til the end. They all looked great until I decided to run a burnish all day yesterday...That darned ol' mica really splintered out in a lot of the stones and ruined the finish on many so they will be set aside to run again in the vibe. Here are the ones that will definitely go again:  Here is the batch that I am pretty happy with. Some may go back for a few rounds in the vibe but over all, I am pretty happy with the whole group.  A few close ups I really like the patterns in some of the yellows     And here are the leaves for Adrian's competition...I will post them on his thread too:  Thanks for looking.  Fran |
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NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
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Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Feb 20, 2009 13:59:43 GMT -5
Nice batch Frane! I really like the 3rd pic. Those leaves look gorgeous!
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rockbottom
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 117
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Post by rockbottom on Feb 20, 2009 15:53:18 GMT -5
Great shine on some beautiful material.
Bob
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Post by NatureNut on Feb 20, 2009 16:21:11 GMT -5
Wow, you got some perfect leaves and those that made it are absolutely gorgeous. Makes all that watchfulness well worth it! Thanks for sharing these with us. I wonder if you could run them with some sacrificial softer stones for cushion.
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Post by frane on Feb 20, 2009 16:55:45 GMT -5
I am tempted to try it but I just received my order of 5lbs of peach aventurine so that should help. I just need to run them for a few weeks in the rotery tumblers to get some good shaping going. I will put the others back in the rough on the vibe and work them through again.
Fran
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Post by Bejewelme on Feb 24, 2009 18:25:02 GMT -5
Fran: Those stones look great!!!! But those leaves!!! :wow!!!I am thinking you guys are making mine look pretty bad, oh no I have to try again!!!  I love the yellows and the whole lot is such a pleasing palette of color! Beautiful! |
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Post by Sea Faring Wang Dang on Feb 25, 2009 18:28:28 GMT -5
Those look really nice. I like the green ones with the sparkles in them. Some of the yellow ones look allot like coral. Very cool batch and awesome leaves.
Casey
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Post by frane on Feb 26, 2009 8:47:24 GMT -5
Yep Casey, Some of the yellows have so much depth, I was really surprised! You can look right down into them.
There is a lot of Micah in the darker green aventurine so it tries to flake a bit but I am happy with about half the load. Over all, if I would just sit down and do some wraps, they should look pretty good.
Fran
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Post by sparkles on Mar 1, 2009 15:44:42 GMT -5
Hi Fran! I love tumbling Aventurines, they are such deliciously coloured stones, but I had a very similar experience in my rotaries last time I tumbled this stuff. Those wee chips and marks left when the mica surfaces in it's matrix caused no end of upset. I finally settled on using Cerium Oxide polish and running them long and slow. The resulting batch was pleasing but not vision of perfection I had in mind when I started... but hey! It's a natural material and that's it's nature ;D I love your batch, those stones are lovely! I look forward to the finished wraps! And your leaves are exquisite, those will look superb when Adrian wraps 'em up! Nice job all round - thanks for posting! Cheers, Sparkles. Here's the "chippy flaky frosting" I got on my last batch...   |
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erbojones
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2006
Posts: 659
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Post by erbojones on Mar 1, 2009 15:51:34 GMT -5
Aventurine makes me want to tear my hair out!!!
Everyone's pictures look so much better than mine!!!
I've decided to concentrate on stones I really like - can't handle the hassle of aventurine!!!!
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Post by frane on Mar 2, 2009 12:07:13 GMT -5
I think I would say the same thing if I hadn't already ordered and received another 5 lbs of the stuff. This time peach. I will work them all through and see what I get out of the next load. It will have to wait though. Too many things in front of it to be done...I just never have enough tumblers ;D
Fran
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