10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Apr 12, 2009 20:48:08 GMT -5
Okay, this is the first batch that I have officially finished. I have a lot of tumble runs and I have a lot of rock in various stages of completion. These rocks actually competed five stages: 60/90 SiC, 120/220 SiC, 500 AlO, AlO Polish, then five days of optical grade CeO. Some small Ocean jasper bits  Rosy and smokey quartz (I think?)  Sodalite and some mediocre blue aventurine  Mostly red-green jasper  Amethyst, white quartz, tigers eye, and green aventurine  Mexican crazy lace  Puddingstone and some unidentified rocks  The rejects: labradorite, aventurine and green tree agate.  I'm actually a little disappointed overall. I had a couple of heartbreaking chips as I was emptying the tumbler into a sieve to wash them up. Plus labradorite is my favorite and it all came out like crap. Thanks for looking... Scott |
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Post by 150FromFundy on Apr 13, 2009 5:51:23 GMT -5
The hard rock, especially the Ocean Jaspers, are really nice.
I had the same the same problem with my softer rock in a separate tumble. In a mixed rotary tumble, it's not going to work. The hard rock always wins over the softer rock.
Try separating hard and soft, or do like me and stick to the hard rock. I say it's "fool" proof. My wife says it's "idiot" proof. You know hoe that goes.
150FromFundy
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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 Apr 13, 2009 7:30:05 GMT -5
Great batch Scott,I like the Ocean Jasper and that Crazy Lace has some cool patters.Nice mix of color and a killer shine.
Mike
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firewalker45
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 929
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Post by firewalker45 on Apr 13, 2009 9:19:39 GMT -5
Nice batch, well done! Daniel
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 13, 2009 12:33:25 GMT -5
You done good for a first batch! I also like the OJ best.
The pure quartz is hard to tumble because it tends to chip out (even in a vibe).
Chuck
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10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Apr 13, 2009 12:50:48 GMT -5
The pure quartz is hard to tumble because it tends to chip out (even in a vibe). I was wondering about the quartz. My quartz is mostly tumbling rough from the Rock Shed. Which I think means that somebody put it a crusher or was whacking it with a hammer to get it down to tumbler size. Regardless, it is so full of cracks and fissures that it is very hard to graduate any to the later polishing stages. How do you go about getting decent quartz? |
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Post by MyNewHobby on Apr 13, 2009 17:01:49 GMT -5
Absolutely wonderful!!!
Julie
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Apr 13, 2009 20:53:55 GMT -5
Looks great Scott! Nice work.
Nate
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luv2hound
freely admits to licking rocks
I try & I try, but dang it! Those rocks just keep ending up in my pockets
Member since June 2007
Posts: 890
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Post by luv2hound on Apr 13, 2009 22:02:34 GMT -5
Nice batch Scott. I love the OJ.
Mitzi
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Apr 13, 2009 22:32:31 GMT -5
That is a very nice batch, especially considering how varied it is! Many beautiful stones and very nicely polished. You should be psyched!
It is very common to have problems with Labradorite unless it is tumbled by itself (and even then its a bear). I am 0-for-2 on Lab. myself. The aventurine that had trouble may have had some serious mica inclusions, which can give it a beautiful sparkly look but often makes for a difficult tumble.
Others would know better than I, but I think the deep red rock in the upper right of the 2nd photo may be a nice piece of carnelian agate.
Good job and thanks for posting!
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10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Apr 13, 2009 23:23:55 GMT -5
Others would know better than I, but I think the deep red rock in the upper right of the 2nd photo may be a nice piece of carnelian agate. All this rock came as medium tumbling mix from the Rock Shed (except for the mexican crazy lace) and they sell carnelian agate for tumbling. I'll dig that piece back out and give it another look. I may have to dop it and try to make a cab out of it. Thanks for the ID. |
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colliel82
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 664
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Post by colliel82 on Apr 14, 2009 10:24:24 GMT -5
especially like the crazy lace
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Apr 14, 2009 13:54:42 GMT -5
looks great!
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tom
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 50
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Post by tom on Apr 14, 2009 17:31:32 GMT -5
AWESOME shine! The mexican crazy lace and OJ is too cool.
Thanks for the pics.
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