w4mwk
having dreams about rocks
Member since April 2009
Posts: 56
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Post by w4mwk on Apr 17, 2009 22:09:52 GMT -5
Hello All,
I'm new to tumbling, I'm Getting my 12 year old grand daughter started in tumbling, I just ordered our first batch of rock from The Rock Shed, It'll be Amethyst, Since this is her Birth Stone, Is there any special tips for this first batch?
I'm an old Rock Hound from about 25 years ago, I had a House Fire and lost all my collection along with all my lapidary equipment & tool's, I Lost interest and gave up on the hobby, Maybe this will spark an interest again.
Thanks to all,
Mike
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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 17, 2009 23:50:58 GMT -5
In my experience, there isn't anything too special about amethyst except that it takes a long time to get through the rough stage. I would counsel patience and lots of recharges until it gets pretty rounded before moving on to the next stage. Once out of rough, I found it to be fairly easy to work with. Post pictures, keep us posted, and good luck!  |
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w4mwk
having dreams about rocks
Member since April 2009
Posts: 56
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Post by w4mwk on Apr 18, 2009 22:53:21 GMT -5
OK, Thanks for the info! If the banded batch is your's, It looks great, I hope ours turns out looking that good, I hope to have my first batch in by next weekend, I ordered it from The Rock Shed! I hope to learn of more places to order rough from.
Take Care,
Mike W4MWK
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Post by frane on Apr 19, 2009 14:38:49 GMT -5
Just keep the barrel full, especially when you get to the 500 and on stage. That is where I have had problems with chipping and impact fractures when it wasn't full enough. Good luck and welcome back to the fun!
Fran
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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 19, 2009 20:39:24 GMT -5
If I remember correctly, I bought that "banded amethyst" (a/k/a chevron amethyst) from Dad's Rock Shop for $7.50 per pound. I wasn't too happy with the rough, although it did polish up pretty well in the end (after many many rounds in coarse):   I much prefer the more crystalline amethyst rough that I recently purchased from The Rock Shed. Good luck! |
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w4mwk
having dreams about rocks
Member since April 2009
Posts: 56
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Post by w4mwk on Apr 19, 2009 21:49:08 GMT -5
That's what I purchased from The Rock Shed, The crystalline type. I'll try and post pictures at each step.
Thanks Again,
Mike
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Post by Noosh9057 on Apr 20, 2009 6:18:28 GMT -5
Well I purchased some from The Rock Shed and it turned out very good. I will post a pic today.
Roger
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w4mwk
having dreams about rocks
Member since April 2009
Posts: 56
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Post by w4mwk on Apr 20, 2009 18:34:24 GMT -5
OK Roger,
Looking forward to see how your batch turned out!
I think I'm getting the tumbling bug! This is suppose to be my granddaughter's new hobby. HEE HEE, Oh well we'll just have to enjoy it together.
Mike
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w4mwk
having dreams about rocks
Member since April 2009
Posts: 56
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Post by w4mwk on Apr 26, 2009 11:03:56 GMT -5
Roger,
Did you ever get your Pic's posted of your Amethyst Crystal batch you purchased from The Rock Shed?
Mike
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Post by Noosh9057 on Apr 26, 2009 12:44:19 GMT -5
Yes I did post them in anather post but here they are. Roger   |
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Post by creativeminded on Apr 27, 2009 7:42:32 GMT -5
I haven't had any problems running amethyst generally only 1 week, rare occasion I have to run some of them a second week. Here is a picture of my biggest piece.  It ran 1 week in each of the grits which are 60/90, 120/220, 500, 1000, tripoli, cerium oxide-aluminum oxide. I usually tumble my amethyst with itself or with other quartz, ie: rose quartz, clear quartz, blue quartz. In fact here is a typical batch that I do with amethyst.  Tami |
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Post by Noosh9057 on Apr 27, 2009 7:46:14 GMT -5
The look very good.
Roger
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w4mwk
having dreams about rocks
Member since April 2009
Posts: 56
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Post by w4mwk on Apr 27, 2009 17:23:24 GMT -5
Tami,
Great looking batch, Hope mine turns out looking that good.
Mine have been in the first step "80 grit" for 3 days now, If I figure out how to add pic's to my post, I'll post some as the batch progresses.
Mike
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Post by creativeminded on Apr 28, 2009 10:21:51 GMT -5
You might need to recharge since you are starting out with 80 grit, you will just have to wait and see. I don't open my barrels until a full week is up, or on the very rare occasion there is a problem with the barrel or in the most recent case my 33b tumbler broke down. I had to empty the barrels so the slurry didn't solidify at the bottom. Trust me you do not want this to happen it takes a lot of water and time to get the stones out of slurry that has settled.
Tami
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