beachcomber1
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 60
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Post by beachcomber1 on Mar 13, 2009 19:14:03 GMT -5
I just received my tumbler to day from The Rock Shed and I said what the hell.So here are some pic. Hope this works. I think I am hooked ;D    Oh by the way I am a beginner so saying what type of rock they are? Maybe some help would be nice. Thanks John |
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Post by 150FromFundy on Mar 13, 2009 19:56:50 GMT -5
Congrats! I started with The Rock Shed and have sampled many of their tumbling mix. I think I have five packets of candy now.
All of the rocks in your mix are sold separately, so you can identify them all by browsing their site.
I see:
Spotted Sodalite - Brazil (blue and white speckle)
Green Tree Agate - India (white with green moss)
Red Jasper - (red with some gray and green areas)
White Quartz - (white, crystalline and glassy)
Rose Quartz - (like white quartz, but ever so slightly pink)
Citrine - (like white quarts but with amber yellow areas)
Picture Jasper - Africa (bottom right, chocolate and caramel swirls)
Girasol Opal (possibly) - (looks like white quartz, but more translucent with a soapy-glassy feel)
Desert Jasper (multi-colored jasper) - (pink/gray on left and caramel/beige on right)
I missed a few!
With the exception of the sodalite and the girasol, it's all just a bunch of silicone dioxide (SiO2) with impurities. It's a beautiful mix and you will have a blast.
Be patient. Throw away the instructions that came with your tumbler and follow the words of this group. The first stage is the most important! It doesn't take a week. It may take three or four weeks, or more.
Good luck and post your results.
150FromFundy
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Mar 14, 2009 1:16:04 GMT -5
Looks like you got some nice rocks, now get them tumbling. Don't forget the after pics.
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Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Mar 14, 2009 6:40:45 GMT -5
Great looking batch to start with.Keep us posted on their progress.
Mike
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beachcomber1
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 60
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Post by beachcomber1 on Mar 14, 2009 7:13:46 GMT -5
Thanks everyone I started the tumble last night 3/13/09 I pre-washed the rocks at a water temp. of 72. then rocks went in tumbler. 4 tbsp. 0f 60/90 grit. water till just about to the top of rocks. Seal drum and turn on. How long should I tumble before I need to look at them to make sure they are tumbling ok?
150FromFundy Thank you for the list that was a great help I took the National Audubon Society field guide out and did some reading.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Mar 14, 2009 18:25:47 GMT -5
Check them once a week. After each week is up, rinse rocks and take a look. If they aren't completely smooth, recharge with more 60/90 and tumble for another week, check again, and repeat step 1 as many times as it take for the rocks to be smooth. Your end result depends mostly on the first stage.
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Post by MyNewHobby on Mar 14, 2009 20:06:18 GMT -5
You cannot go wrong with The Rock Shed. Shaun is great and known for his nice mixes.
I have several mixes going on right now.
Congrats on the tumbler!!
Always remember between stages take pics. I always forget this and get gentle reminders.
I always love looking at pics from others that have their various stages going on. It helps me in how I approach each new batch.
Welcome!!!
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Post by frane on Mar 17, 2009 11:44:58 GMT -5
That is a nice batch and since you got it at the rock shed, I would say the spotted blue is actually blue quartz. Looks like some I have. The feel is different from sodalite even though it looks the same.
You also have a peach aventurine at the top right of the first picture and a green one at the center top and a picture jasper at the bottom right.
The best thing is to have fun!
Fran
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